Rinas, Golubovci and "Flying Stars": Secret mission of G-4 "Super Galeb" near Tirana
On this day, April 26, it is worth remembering the text of the late Miroslav Lazanski, one of the most famous military-political commentators of "Politika", who wrote about one of the most enigmatic episodes from the time of the NATO aggression in 1999 - the alleged action of Yugoslav G-4 "Super Galeb" aircraft on Rinas airport near Tirana.
TL;DR
- The article discusses an alleged secret mission by Yugoslav G-4 "Super Galeb" planes on April 26, 1999, targeting Rinas airport near Tirana.
- According to the late military commentator Miroslav Lazanski, pilots from Golubovci airfield executed the mission without authorization from Belgrade.
- The objective was to attack UÇK training camps and American Apache helicopters reportedly stationed at Rinas.
- Lazanski claimed nine Apache helicopters were destroyed and three damaged, with Yugoslav planes flying low to evade radar.
- Evidence cited includes a retracted Italian TV report, ITAR-TASS reporting Rinas airport closure, and an Italian minister not flying from Rinas.
- A day later, NATO heavily bombed Golubovci airfield, destroying the underground facility housing the G-4 planes.
- The secrecy surrounding the mission was attributed to potential repercussions from The Hague.
- Lazanski concluded that officially the event never happened, but unofficially, the "Flying Stars" became legendary.