Colonel Iljo Arizanov — the pilot who made his way through enemy territory

Colonel Iljo Arizanov was one of the most experienced pilots of the Air Force of the Yugoslav Army. Of Macedonian origin, he was a fighter pilot with vast experience flying the MiG-29. On 25 March 1999, the first day of combat flights by the Serbian air force, his aircraft was shot down over Kosovo — making him the first Serbian pilot to be downed in the NATO aggression.

Experience and professionalism

With the rank of colonel, Arizanov was among the highest-ranking pilots actively flying combat missions. His rank and experience gave him authority, but also responsibility — when it was time to take off, the colonel sat in the cockpit himself, not asking younger pilots to take on the risk in his stead.

Arizanov knew the MiG-29 like few others. He was among the first Yugoslav pilots to be trained to fly this type of aircraft and had thousands of flight hours. His colleagues considered him one of the best pilots in the entire army.

25 March 1999 — the first combat flight

The day after the start of the bombing, the Air Force command decided to attempt to intercept NATO aircraft. Colonel Arizanov was among the first pilots to take off. His mission was to intercept a group of NATO combat aircraft that were attacking targets in Kosovo near the Macedonian border.

He took off from Batajnica airbase and was vectored towards the target. However, as was to be expected, NATO early-warning systems detected his aircraft almost immediately. A Dutch F-16 from the 322nd Squadron was tasked with the interception.

Shot down and ejection

Colonel Arizanov's MiG-29 was struck by an air-to-air missile. At the critical moment, the colonel made the right decision — he activated the ejection system. He was thrown from the aircraft and descended by parachute onto the territory of Kosovo, near the Macedonian border.

Unlike some of his less fortunate colleagues, Colonel Arizanov survived the ejection without critical injuries. He found himself on terrain that was partly under the control of Serbian forces, which enabled him to establish contact and be evacuated.

Return and continued service

Colonel Arizanov returned to the ranks after his recovery. His survival was a rare piece of good news amid a series of heavy losses for the Serbian air force. For the younger pilots, the fact that their most experienced colleague had been shot down but survived was both an encouragement and a warning.

The story of Colonel Arizanov illustrates the human side of aerial combat. Behind every downed aircraft is a person — with a family, friends, a life. Colonel Arizanov was fortunate to return to his family. Six of his fellow pilots did not have that fortune.

A Macedonian who defended Serbia

Colonel Arizanov was of Macedonian origin, but he devoted his entire life to the Yugoslav, and then the Serbian, air force. His story recalls a time when nationality was no obstacle to a common struggle. He was above all a pilot and a soldier, and as such he took off into combat regardless of everything.

Today, Colonel Arizanov is remembered as the first Serbian pilot shot down in the NATO aggression of 1999 and as a man who had the fortune and the skill to survive. Lest it be forgotten.