When is Aviation Day? Russian Air Force Day

Memorable dates

ELISEEV Sergey Pavlovich- retired colonel, candidate historical sciences(Moscow. E-mail: [email protected])

About two dates for celebrating Military Day air force Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and Air Fleet Day of the USSR

To the 100th anniversary of the creation of domestic aviation

On August 12, 2012, Russia will celebrate the centenary of the Air Force Armed Forces RF. Which historical events hundred years ago caused this? After all, it is known that the first military pilots appeared in Russia already in 1910, and a year later the first aviation units appeared. Why does Russian Air Force Day fall on last month summer, why was this date chosen? The answers to these questions are related to the history of the development of aviation in our country.

IN Soviet times from 1933 to 1972 August 181 was celebrated Air fleet THE USSR. The following was reported about its establishment in No. 6 of the magazine “Bulletin of the Air Fleet” for 1933:

“On the recommendation of the Chief of the Military Air Forces of the Red Army, Comrade Alksnis, the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR initiated a petition to the Government to establish an Air Fleet Holiday Day.

The Council adopted a resolution on this matter people's commissars USSR, according to which the day of the annual holiday of the Air Fleet is set on August 18.

The holiday is timed to coincide with the end of the summer period of combat training of the Air Force, which makes it possible to combine the holiday with a number of competitions in aviation technology, aerobatics, fire and tactical training.

Air Fleet Day can also be used to widely popularize military and civil aviation among the working masses Soviet Union. At the massive aviation festival, in which the Red Army Air Force, Civil Air Fleet, Soviet aviation industry and Osoaviakhim should take part, achievements in the field of aviation technology and aviation construction will be demonstrated as a powerful means of socialist construction, technology development and strengthening air defense Soviet Union"2.

The resolution itself was found in one of the collections of the Russian State Library3. Noteworthy is the brevity of the text and the absence of any references to the documents that served as the reason for issuing this resolution of April 28, 1933, No. 859.

After the publication of this message, the Air Force of the Red Army, the Civil Air Fleet of the USSR, the Society for Assistance to Defense, Aviation and chemical construction The USSR, aviation industry enterprises and other institutions and institutions of the country began to prepare for the first celebration of Air Fleet Day. The most solemn and important event scheduled for August 18 was the holding of an aviation festival in Moscow, at the Central Airfield named after M.V. Frunze.

The first celebration of Air Fleet Day was held at a high organizational level. Muscovites, guests of the capital, representatives of foreign countries. During the celebration, samples of Soviet aviation technology, the skill and courage of aviators were shown. On air parade Present were members of the Soviet government and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, headed by I.V. Stalin. From this day on, August 18 became a national holiday, however, despite the fact that the Day of the “entire” Air Fleet was declared, that is, all aviation of the USSR, including aviation of the Navy, Civil Air Fleet, Osoaviakhim, etc., the Air Force of the Red Army and in number , and in terms of the variety of problems solved, they played a leading role in this holiday.

As the importance of other components of the USSR Air Fleet grew, Day appeared Civil aviation USSR (February 9), Navy Aviation Day, etc.

It would be logical to assume that the Air Force, called upon to solve combat missions in land and sea theaters of war ( long-range aviation), they will want to have “their own” Day.

Responding to requests from military aviators, the President of the Russian Federation, by his decree No. 949 of August 29, 1997, declared the date August 12 as Air Force Day of the Armed Forces Russian Federation.

However, not everyone knows why this particular date was chosen. After all, the first military pilots appeared in Russia in the summer of 1910, and the first aviation detachments in 1911. The first demonstration of the capabilities of aviation technology in the capital - the “first aviation week” - took place in St. Petersburg in April 1910, and already in May, flight training began for Russian aeronautical officers in the newly created Aviation Department of the Officer Aeronautical School in Gatchina. Since 1914, the aviation department has become the Gatchina military aviation school.

In November 1910, near Sevastopol, on the banks of the river. Kacha, under the patronage of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, the second aviation educational institution was created: Sevastopol officer school aviation, but unlike Gatchina, it functioned on a voluntary basis. Therefore, aircraft for the Gatchina school were purchased abroad by the military department, and aircraft for the Sevastopol school were purchased there, but with voluntary donations from the population.

In 1911, the Main Engineering Directorate (since 1913 - the Main Military-Technical Directorate - GVTU) created the first two aviation squads at aeronautical units. True, flights in them began only in 1912. Thus, the first sprouts of aviation arose in the Aeronautical Service, which belonged to the engineering troops.

However, on July 30 (new style - August 12), 1912, by order of the Minister of War (with the approval of Nicholas II) No. 397, aviation detachments were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Main Directorate General Staff(GU GS)4. It was significant event, since aviation was officially recognized as an independent “Aviation Service”, which performed reconnaissance and communications tasks in the troops, and independently of the Aeronautical Service.

As a result, from the experimental air squads assigned to some aeronautical units, aviation became independent structural education with the corresponding position and states. To manage aviation and aeronautical units, in the fall of 1912, the Aeronautical Department was formed at the Main General Staff, which had an aviation and aeronautical department. Common name department - “aeronautics” should not mislead readers, since the concept of “aeronautics” meant (until about 1920) “flying in the air” in general, regardless of what aircraft, heavier or lighter than air, it was carried out.

Soon, at the end of 1913, decentralization of the control of aviation detachments took place: they were subordinated technically to the GVTU, and organizationally (primarily in terms of recruitment and combat use) to the Main Directorate of the General Staff. In connection with this reorganization, some aviators (and some aviation historians, including modern ones) had the opinion that aviation was again in engineering troops. In fact, according to the plans of the Russian General Staff, in the event of war, aviation detachments were supposed to go to the front and carry out combat reconnaissance and communications missions there, being operationally subordinate to the headquarters of the corps and armies. With the outbreak of the First World War, this is exactly what happened. Therefore, aviation has de facto become a branch of the ground forces.

But, despite this, the status of the Russian Air Force was still not strictly defined, which was one of the reasons for convening Aviation Congresses in the spring and summer of 1917, first soldiers’, and then general, with the participation of officers.

At the congresses it was recommended to celebrate Air Fleet Day on August 2, the Day of the Prophet Elijah. The Bolsheviks, having come to power, calling themselves “militant atheists”, began to oppose this date: it was not fitting for the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Air Force to celebrate its day on a religious holiday.

Therefore, in the twenties, “Aviation Day” began to be celebrated in July, most often timed to coincide with Bastille Day, that is, July 14.

After the first big show of aviation equipment, I.V. Stalin, and it happened on May 21, 1931, the newly appointed head of the Air Force Ya.I. Alksnis thanked the pilots for their excellent flights in front of the leaders of the party, country and army and for the first time called the pilots “Stalin’s falcons.” And in fact, from that time on I.V. Stalin personally took over patronage Soviet aviation, which became the reason for defining it as “Stalinist”.

I.V. Stalin, realizing that a powerful Air Fleet is both the prestige of the country and education younger generation, instructed Ya.I. Alksnis to study the issue of writing new history aviation, in which the leading and guiding role of the Bolshevik Party in its creation was to be shown. It goes without saying that this story should not have mentioned the former chairman of the RVSR L.D. Trotsky and his role in the creation of Soviet military aviation. Following the instructions of I.V. Stalin, Ya.I. Alksnis created a special historical group led by one of the organizers of the Red Air Fleet M.P. Stroev. This group included former Chairman of the Bureau of Aviation and Aeronautics Commissioners A.V. Mozhaev, former member of the Management Board of the WF of the Republic N.D. Anoshchenko and other participants in the creation of the RKKVVF in 1917-1920.

As a result of the work of the said commission at the end of 1932 - beginning of 1933, several publications about the creation of Soviet military aviation in 1917-1918 appeared in the "Bulletin of the Air Fleet". In addition, in the June 1933 issue of the magazine, in the “Chronicle of the USSR” section, a message was published, the contents of which are given at the beginning of this article.

In some historical documents it is said that the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, headed by K.E. Voroshilov, head of the Red Army Air Force Ya.I. Alksnis and the Air Force leadership, explaining the choice of this date, proceeded from the fact that the second half of August is the most suitable time to celebrate Air Fleet Day, since around this time the Air Force ends summer period training in camps at field airfields and after joint exercises with ground forces return to their permanent place of deployment, where a holiday is held with the participation of not only the military, but also civil authorities and the public.<…>

Air Force Day 2016

Russian Air Force Day 2016 is a symbol of the feat of brave pilots, a time of reward for the courage of all those who dedicated their strength, and indeed their whole lives, to our air force. And even if this is a military holiday, are there people who dream of peace more than others than the defenders of the Motherland?

Air Force Day 2016: what date?

The Presidential Decree, signed on May 31, 2006, approves the time for celebrating Air Force Day. According to this document, the Day of the Russian Military Armed Forces falls on August 12. This time was not chosen by chance: it was on August 12, one hundred and two years ago, that the State of the Aeronautical Unit was created in the Russian Empire - the first air forces of the vast Empire. Russian Air Force Day, the date of celebration of which does not depend on the day of the week, that is, is not variable, is celebrated in air military units on a large scale. However most of Various events designed to celebrate this solemn date are held on Russian Air Fleet Day, which always falls on a day off.

Happy Air Force Day, you will find

Air Force history

August 12, the date when Air Force Day 2016 will be celebrated throughout our vast country, was chosen with reason. It was on this significant day exactly 102 years ago that the Military Department of the Russian Empire issued a decree on the creation of the Aeronautical State - a special department responsible for managing the air forces under the control of the General Staff. This decree was preceded by a number of extraordinary circumstances.

The first milestone on the path to creating an air force should be considered the formation of the Aerodynamic Institute in Kuchino in 1904. Zhukovsky, the father of aerodynamics, began training pilots for the first aircraft of the Empire. However, several more years were to pass before the construction of its own military aircraft.

1910 is the date of a large purchase of aircraft in France. From this moment it began state training pilots, and the planes were placed at the disposal of the military forces.

The next significant date in the history of Russian aeronautics is 1913. Sikorsky, a famous inventor who helped a huge impact for the development of aviation not only in Russia, but throughout the world, he builds his famous aircraft - “Ilya Muromets” and “Russian Knight”. The history of Russian aircraft construction began with these aircraft.

The rapid development of the industry could not but affect the military forces. Airplanes become a full-fledged part of the state imperial army, first as a way of conducting reconnaissance, and then as an independent combat unit. Pilot Nestorov, a legend of world aviation, was the first to perform a combat air ram, which became an example of the courage of domestic pilots.

After the signing of the famous decree in 1912 on the creation of a special air unit, one could already safely talk about the presence of full-fledged armed forces in the country. air force.

Unfortunately, with the October Revolution of 1917, the development of aeronautics seriously slowed down. However, already in the 30s of the last century, the country rapidly began to catch up with the rest of the world, which had gone ahead in this area. A sharp increase in the number of aircraft, the construction of pilot training schools, the design and construction of our own fighters and bombers - all this became the basis of today's Russian Air Force.

Despite the fact that since last year (2015) the Russian Air Force was merged with the Aerospace Defense Forces to create the Aerospace Forces (VKS), the day of the Russian Air Force as a professional holiday of all military pilots is celebrated on a large scale in our country. August 12 is an occasion to congratulate all representatives of various military aviation structures: long-range, army, operational-tactical and military transport aviation.

Today the Russian Air Force celebrates the 104th anniversary of its birth. The official date of the appearance of military aviation in our country is considered to be August 12, 1912, when a decree was issued, according to which the structure of the military department Russian Empire The staff of the aeronautical unit of the Main Directorate of the General Staff was introduced. And for 104 years of its existence Russian aviation has come a colossal path from airplanes, the speed of which can easily exceed a modern car, to truly unique multi-purpose machines capable of conquering the air not only with the power of the available weapons, but also with the beauty of flight dynamics.

The importance of military aviation in the conditions of almost any modern armed conflict difficult to overestimate. Yes and obviously big problems will be observed in those who allow themselves to underestimate the capabilities of the Russian Air Force.

Literally at the first stage of the beginning of the participation of Russian military aviation in the operation against militants in Syria, there were exclamations from individual “specialists” speaking in the spirit that Russian aviation “has been dying for a long time”, and that all Russian combat aircraft are at the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia - “flying scrap metal.” When this “aircraft scrap metal” began to dispose of terrorists of various stripes along with their infrastructure in the most different provinces Syrian Arab Republic, and when the Syrian government army, thanks to Russian air support, recaptured significant territory from the militants, including ancient Palmyra, exclamations filled with irony about Russia's capabilities in the air began to thin out, and then faded away completely. Today, an “expert”, already rare in his technical literacy, will allow himself to speak about Russian military aviation as something incapable of solving combat missions in the most different conditions. And even liberal “experts” made their contribution to such a reassessment of the state of affairs from the developers of combat vehicles, technicians servicing airplanes and helicopters at home airfields, and directly from the crews of fighters, attack aircraft, bombers, attack and military transport helicopters.

Nowadays, the Air Force, which is part of the Russian Aerospace Forces, is actively rearming, moving along the path of modernization. The latest multirole fighters Su-30SM, Su-35S, fighter-bombers Su-34, modernized attack aircraft Su-25SM3, fighter-interceptors MiG-31BM are entering service. The Yak-130 combat training aircraft are being tested, including as part of the Wings of Taurida aerobatic team. Russian Helicopters carries out contracts to equip units and formations with Mi-28N, Ka-52, etc. rotorcraft. Testing of the super-maneuverable MiG-35S fighters, as well as the promising aviation complex front-line aviation (PAK FA) T-50, which belongs to the full fifth generation of military aircraft.

Russian military aviation carries out a colossal amount of work to ensure the security of Russia’s borders and to patrol remote regions of the planet in the interests of the Russian Federation. The number of flights of long-range and strategic aircraft is increasing every year. Over the past few weeks, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers have been actively striking positions of the terrorist group ISIS (banned in the Russian Federation) in Syria. Just the day before, high-explosive fragmentation bombs struck the outskirts of ISIS’s “capital” – the city of Raqqa in the province of the same name in Syria. Among the destroyed facilities was a production plant chemical substances for filling ammunition.

At the same time, combat training competitions are being held as part of the Aviadarts competition, which is attracting increasing attention not only from professional pilots, but also from the Russian and world public.

At the Ryazan Dubrovichi training ground, teams from four countries took part in competitions for military pilots and navigators: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and China. Russian pilots performed on Su-25SM, MiG-29SMT, Su-30SM, Su-35, Su-24M, Su-34, Tu-22M3, Il-76 aircraft, as well as on Mi-8, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-24P helicopters and Ka-52. Largest number points (555.25) both among fighter aviation crews and in general were scored by the Su-30SM crew consisting of captain Ilya Sizov and captain Yuri Balashov. They also received the highest jury score for piloting - 253 points. According to the results of the Aviadarts-2016 competition, the Russian national team took first place as a team, receiving 1st place in all four international nominations.

Despite their professional holiday, many representatives of Russian military aviation are still on combat duty both to protect Russia’s air borders and to destroy terrorist groups in Syria.

"Military Review" congratulates the military aviation personnel of Russia on the holiday!

Russian Air Fleet Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of August. In 2019, it is celebrated on August 18. All aviation employees participate in the ceremonial events: pilots, flight attendants, airport support staff, and maintenance departments. Employees of aircraft factories, design bureaus, teachers, students and graduates of specialized educational institutions join the celebration.

Aviation moves people and cargo over significant distances in relatively a short time. Aircraft carry out important military operations: they participate in combat missions and supply units with equipment and food. A professional holiday is dedicated to specialists who work in this industry.

Traditions

On Russian Air Fleet Day, aviation workers accept congratulations. Management hands over certificates of honor, valuable gifts to distinguished employees. Colleagues gather at festive tables. Events take place in cafes, restaurants or outdoors. The picnic is accompanied by fishing and swimming in ponds, and cooking over an open fire. Those gathered make wishes and toast that the number of takeoffs coincides with the number of landings, exchange experiences, and discuss technical innovations.

Television and radio stations broadcast programs about the history of aviation. Pilots, flight attendants, and dispatchers talk about their career paths and incidents during flights.

This day also marks the occasion of Air Force Day.

Story

The first celebrations took place in 1933, after the publication of Resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated April 28, 1933 No. 859 “On the celebration of Air Fleet Day USSR" The document prescribed that the event be held annually on August 18.

The tradition of celebration was preserved in Russia after the collapse of the USSR. September 28, 1992 Presidium Supreme Council The Russian Federation issued Resolution No. 3564-1 “On the establishment of the Russian Air Fleet Day holiday.” The document formalized the holding of ceremonial events annually on the third Sunday of August.

About the profession

Air fleet pilots provide and conduct flights. They are required to operate the aircraft in accordance with established rules and regulations. Maintenance personnel troubleshoot equipment, replace it, and check its functionality.

The path to the profession begins with the completion of the specialized educational institution. The graduate receives the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Before becoming an employee of the air fleet, you must pass certification.

The crew of ships has the right to retire before the established age. This is due to the harmfulness and danger of the profession, which come not only from technology and nervous tension. In the upper layers of the atmosphere, where airplane routes lie, the level of radiation is several times higher than on Earth.

In Russia today, August 12, one of the most beloved professional holidays Russian military - Russian Air Force Day. But just recently in our country such holidays as Days of Navy And Airborne troops. This holiday is also different a huge amount traditions and a whole body of history.

When is Russian Air Force Day celebrated in 2016?

According to a long-established tradition, our country celebrates Russian Air Force Day on August 12, which is stated in the decree of the president of our country dated May 31, 2006, entitled “On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."

Russian Air Force Day has a memorable status, as it is aimed at increasing the prestige of military service. At the same time, the purpose of the holiday is also the return of domestic military traditions, which are often erased by the pages of history. Initially, the holiday was established as important in our country in honor of recognition of the merits of military pilots and, in general, all those military personnel who are closely associated with aviation, which, as is known, modern world plays a huge role in terms of ensuring defense and general security countries.

history of the holiday

If we turn to the roots of history, it becomes clear that August 12 is a date that is inextricably linked with the Russian Air Force. So, July 30 (August 12, new style) 1912, the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II issued a decree on the formation of the first aviation unit of Russia under the main directorate of the General Staff. Thus, the conclusion suggests itself that it was with the help of this decree that a new type of force was created, which a little later transformed into the air force of the Russian Empire, and more precisely, the Imperial Air Force.

Then we should turn to 1918, when, after the victory October revolution The workers' and peasants' Red Air Fleet was created. In 1933, by decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, the All-Union Aviation Day (USSR Air Fleet Day, Aviation Day) was established, which was celebrated on August 18. This holiday gradually transformed into the Day of the USSR Air Fleet, and then into the Day of the Russian Air Fleet.

In turn, since 1980, the Day of the Air Fleet of the Soviet Union began to be celebrated on the third Sunday in August. And starting in 1997, this date was officially renamed the Day of the Russian Air Fleet. On this day, as traditions have developed, all kinds of holiday events dedicated to the service of pilots. This year the pilots will be honored on August 21.

Congratulations on Russian Air Force Day

***
We sincerely congratulate you on Air Force Day,
On a wonderful holiday today,
Let your heaven rush to give you,
Flight weather to soar freely.

Will fly up into the sky like a blue arrow
A steel bird, its wings sparkling,
Look around, pilot, and hold on to the helm,
Your work is the best, we know.
Mysteries of the Urals that even scientists cannot explain

Let the sky be a million in a million,
Let three suns shine at your back,
May only peace reign over your head
And may luck smile on you.

***
To everyone who serves in the Air Force
Three times "Hurray!"
After all, today is your holiday,
Honor and praise to you.

You are the country's air shield,
Guard our borders
No treacherous enemy
He won't run past you.

We want to wish that the risk
Always brought success
So that the engine does not fail,
So that there is no interference in the service.

Let love wait for you at home,
Both support and comfort.
Well, it's thundering in the air
Only festive fireworks.

***
Our sky is protected
Our people sleep peacefully,
Because the Air Force
He serves valiantly.

We are happy to congratulate you today
Everyone who serves in the Air Force.
Pure, big happiness
From earth to heaven.

Let the good moments
Give joy day after day,
May it always be reliable
The world we live in!