The president remembered all killed Air Force members as well as all those who took part in the 1991-95 Homeland War.
He said the challenges faced today by the security and defence system as well as the Air Force were structurally quite different than when the priority was the defence of Croatia's freedom, sovereignty and independence, but the responsibility for maintaining and developing the defence system was the same, primarily because of the security of citizens, society, the state and the air space.
Josipovic said Croatia promoted and implemented cooperation and good neighbourly relations, and that it was a responsible member of the international community which, by participating in NATO and European Union missions, contributed to the security of its own as well as the allied air space.
The president highlighted the Air Force's contribution to Croatia's integration with the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS).
He said the efforts of the Air Force's experts within NATO's BRAAD project further affirmed Croatia's efforts in the strengthening of security and stability in Southeast Europe, adding that their knowledge and work were recognised both regionally and by the EU and NATO.
Josipovic also underlined the need for the Air Force to cooperate with civilian and state institutions in Croatia and the region in rescue and search operations and firefighting.