Day of the Russian Air Defense Aviation Forces

The Great Patriotic War made its own adjustments to people’s lives and plans and changed their attitude towards the army. The superiority of the Germans in the air became clear in the first days of the war. But our country was able to make a retaliatory move on equal terms only in 1942. In January, by order of the People's Commissariat, the formation of the first air defense fighter aviation unit began. The first air battles showed the correctness of the decision. Soviet pilots stopped the German armadas far away on the approaches, did not allow them to carry out bombing or land troops. The crews flew on missions more than 170,000 times and destroyed 4,000 Nazi aircraft. Over a short history, by the standards of other troops, air defense aviation was transferred several times either to the air defense or to the Air Force. This situation remained until 1998. From this year, air defense aviation, as an independent branch, ceases to exist. This decision was made after the unification of the air force and air defense forces. The Air Force began to have separate fighter groups that carry out missions under the command of the Air Force. The professional holiday of air defense aviation has been celebrated on January 22, since the signing of the order of the air defense commander in 1996. Operational-tactical aviation is the most maneuverable type of aviation. The basis is fighter units. At the moment when you read these words, there are 60 interceptors in the air, who are on duty around the clock at the borders of our airspace. Fighters guard the country from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka. Armament, detection equipment and crew experience make it possible to detect intruders long before the missile launch line. Over the years, many aircraft models were in service, ranging from the first MIGs, Yakovs and others. The end of the forties and the beginning of the fifties were marked by the deployment of jet fighters on combat duty. MIGs and Yaks were equipped with detection equipment and guided missiles. In the sixties, supersonic dryers and yaks came into operation. The fleet of units was constantly modernized and replenished with new aircraft. The development of long-range detection equipment was introduced, and air-to-air missiles were improved. Currently, various modifications of the MIG-31 and SU-27 are on combat duty. Work on introducing new technology does not stop. Models developed on the basis of the SU-27 appeared in the troops. Deep modernization has actually turned the SU-30 and SU-35 into a new generation of fighters. The latest equipment allows not only to detect air and ground targets, but also to coordinate work on them. The country's air borders are reliably guarded by professionals of the highest class, people devoted to their country. Respect and gratitude for their hard work and congratulations on their professional holiday. Love from loved ones and clear skies!