Air Force Day in our country appeared quite recently - a decree on its establishment was signed in 2006. Despite the fact that Air Force Day has a fixed and unchanged date once and for all, the main celebrations dedicated to this holiday take place on a slightly different day. We deal in more detail with what date Russia celebrates Air Force Day in 2019, what date the main celebrations will take place.

Air Force Day in 2019: what date do Russian military pilots celebrate their holiday

The full name of the Air Force Day in Russia recently sounds like Day of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation. So this memorable day began to be called quite recently, since 2015, when the Air Force became part of the newly created forces of the same name.

Air Force Day in 2019, as always, is celebrated 12th of August. On this day, according to the new style, 107 years ago, in 1912, by decree of Emperor Nicholas II (as is commonly believed), the first aviation unit was created in Russia under the Main Directorate of the General Staff. Aviation in general, and military aviation in particular, had just appeared and was looking for its place and its application.

Historians, by the way, note that there is no decree of Tsar Nicholas in the archives. But the order of the Minister of War Sukhomlinov for the same date is available. By this order, the minister transferred to the General Staff in general all questions that relate to aviation in the Empire.

Be that as it may, but August 12 can be confidently considered the day of the foundation of the Russian air force, therefore it is fair that in modern times, when it was no longer shameful to recall the events of the tsarist era, this important event was remembered and the holiday was tied to it.

Russian pilots, meanwhile, had to learn pretty soon what it was like to take part in the war at the controls of an aircraft. In 1914 the First World War began. And although its air battles are far from those that unfolded in the skies during the Second World War, nevertheless, aviation has become a serious military novelty.

It is known that it was morally difficult for many pilots to fight against each other during the First World War.

There were so few pilots around the world that in fact almost all of them knew each other, having learned from each other in the same flying schools in Europe. When the need arose to kill each other in the air, it was unbearable to accept.

Let's get back to Air Force Day. Despite the fact that this memorable day is celebrated on the 12th every year, next to this holiday there is another holiday for a little longer - the Day of the Russian Air Fleet. As the name implies, this holiday is dedicated to Russian aviation in general, and this day has its own interesting history of origin and celebration.

Russian Air Force Day: what date is celebrated in 2019

Although the Day of the Air Fleet is celebrated in August, its date of celebration has nothing to do with the events of tsarist times. If only because he appeared under the Bolsheviks, in 1933.

Initially, the holiday, which was then called the All-Union Aviation Day, was celebrated on August 18. In 1980, a reform of Soviet holidays took place, and Aviation Day was assigned a new place in the calendar, tying it to the third Sunday in August. So it is much more convenient to celebrate this day, it always falls on a day off.

Times have changed, even the country in which we live has changed, but Aviation Day, or, in a new way, Air Force Day in Russia continues to be celebrated on the third Sunday of August. In 2019, this is August 18.

What does this story have to do with Air Force Day? It's simple - when this holiday appeared, although it was attached to August 12 in memory of the events of a century ago, the law directly prescribed the main celebrations in honor of Air Force Day to be held on Air Force Day. So in fact, Air Force Day has two celebration dates in 2019: August 12 and 18.

The First World War significantly accelerated the further development of military aviation. On the battlefields, the broad capabilities of the combat use of aircraft were confirmed: first for reconnaissance and adjusting artillery fire, and then for destroying ground and air targets. By the end of the First World War, Russian military aviation had turned from an auxiliary means of reconnaissance and communications into an independent branch of the ground forces, which included reconnaissance, fighter and bomber aviation. At the final stage of the war, the air forces took part in all major front-line and army operations and had a significant impact on the nature of hostilities.

The Soviet Air Force was created together with the Red Army. In the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs on December 20, 1917, the All-Russian Collegium for the Management of the Air Fleet of the Republic was established, which was entrusted with the management of the formation of aviation units, central and local directorates of the Air Fleet, the preservation and conservation of aviation property, the training of aviation personnel, and the organization of logistics. During the demobilization of the old army, only 33 aviation detachments were retained. By December 1920, the Air Force had 83 squadrons, including 18 naval ones. In total, during the years of the Civil War, up to 350 Soviet aircraft operated simultaneously on the fronts.

After the end of the Civil War, aviation enterprises were restored and partially expanded in a short time, and the production of aircraft of domestic designs was launched. In 1924-1933, I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5 fighters, R-3 reconnaissance aircraft, TB-1 and TB-3 heavy bombers entered service. In the 1930s, I-15, I-16, I-153 fighters, SB, DB-3 (DB-Zf) bombers were put into service. In 1940-1941, serial production of new Yak-1, MiG-3, LaGG-3 fighters, Pe-2, Pe-8 bombers, and Il-2 attack aircraft began.

The organizational structure of the Air Force was improved. In 1924, a squadron became the main organizational unit in the Air Force, in 1927 the formation of aviation brigades began, in 1933 heavy bomber aviation corps were created, and in 1936-1938 - operational formations of heavy bomber aviation (three special purpose armies). In 1939-1940, the Air Force was transferred from a brigade organization to a regimental and divisional one.

By June 1941, the USSR Air Force had 79 aviation divisions and five aviation brigades; 19 aviation regiments armed with new types of aircraft were formed. The Air Force consisted of 53.4% ​​of fighter aircraft, 41.4% of bombers and attack aircraft, 3.2% of reconnaissance aircraft, and 2% of transport aircraft.

In the early days of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet aviation suffered significant losses. In difficult conditions, measures were taken to strengthen the Air Force, restructure the aviation industry, and train aviation personnel. In a short time, it was possible to significantly increase the power of the Soviet Air Force. By the middle of the summer of 1943, Soviet aviation had firmly won strategic air supremacy.

During the war years, the Soviet Air Force made about 3125 thousand sorties and inflicted heavy damage on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment. 57,000 enemy planes were destroyed in air battles and at airfields.

In the post-war period, there was a transition from piston aviation to jet aviation, and the improvement of the organizational structure of units and formations continued. Long-range aviation, based on supersonic missile carriers, has become one of the components of the strategic nuclear forces. Front-line aviation was equipped with supersonic all-weather fighters, fighter-bombers, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, combat and transport helicopters capable of performing various tasks using conventional and nuclear weapons.

Military transport aviation has been re-equipped with turboprop aircraft (An-12) of high payload and long range. Army aviation received various types of helicopters (Mi-4, Mi-6, Mi-8).

Modern military aviation is divided into long-range, military-transport, operational-tactical and army aviation, which include bomber, attack, fighter, reconnaissance, transport and special aviation.

Aviation has repeatedly proved its courage in battles, defending our Motherland from the enemy. As a sign of respect for the exploits of military pilots, in memory of those who died in the line of duty and the formation of an honorable image of military service among the civilian population, including young people, it is customary in Russia to celebrate Air Force Day every year.

Until 1997, military pilots did not have their own holiday and celebrated Air Force Day, which was established in 1933, together with civil aviators. From 1933 to 1972 it was celebrated on August 18th. The holiday was timed to coincide with the end of the summer period of military air force combat training, which made it possible to combine the holiday with a number of competitions in aviation technology, aerobatics, fire and tactical training.

The first Air Fleet Day celebration took place on August 18, 1933. On this day in Moscow, at the Central Aerodrome named after M.V. Frunze (on the territory of the Khodynka field) an aviation festival was held, during which samples of Soviet aviation equipment, the skill and courage of aviators were shown. From that day, August 18 became a national holiday, however, despite the fact that the Day of the "entire" Air Fleet was declared, that is, the entire aviation of the USSR, including the aviation of the Navy, the Civil Air Fleet, the Society for the Promotion of Defense, Aviation and Chemical construction of the USSR (Osoaviakhim), etc., the Air Force of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA), both in numbers and in the variety of tasks solved, played a leading role in this holiday.

Starting from 1935, air parades dedicated to the Day of the USSR Air Fleet were held in Tushino on weekends, i.e. were not strictly tied to the day of August 18, and sometimes were postponed to another day or even canceled due to weather conditions. Even during the Great Patriotic War, the country celebrated the Day of the USSR Air Fleet, but air parades were not held.

In the period from 1947 to 1961, Air Force Day was celebrated, as a rule, on one of the Sundays in July and was accompanied by an air parade in Tushino. Since 1962, the holiday has been celebrated without annual air parades on August 18, and since 1972 - on the third Sunday of August.

However, the tradition of holding air festivals dedicated to the Day of the USSR Air Force has been preserved at the regional (local) level. Every year, air festivals were held in Zhukovsky (by the forces of test pilots of the LII), in Monino, in Kubinka and other cities of aviation belonging.

As the importance of the components of the USSR Air Fleet grew, the USSR Civil Aviation Day (February 9), the Navy Aviation Day (July 17), etc. appeared. In 1997, in response to requests from military aviators, the President of the Russian Federation established by his decree Air Force Day.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources (additional

Russian aviation has repeatedly proved its courage in battles, defending our Motherland from the enemy. As a sign of respect for the exploits of military pilots, in memory of those who died in the line of duty and the formation of an honorable image of military service among the civilian population, including young people, it is customary in Russia to celebrate Air Force Day every year.

Air force day: honor and heroism above the clouds

The Russian Air Force is assigned such tasks as reconnaissance of enemy groupings, transportation of material resources, manpower and equipment, landing, support for ground forces, warning of an attack, protection from air strikes of its forces and important military-economic regions of the country, and also striking at the military-economic regions of the enemy and his military groupings. As you can see, the Air Force plays one of the key roles in protecting the Russian Federation from enemy invasion.

Moreover, today the presence of a powerful air force in the country is considered an excellent deterrent in the eyes of a potential enemy. After all, with the development of weapons systems, one combat unit of the Air Force is capable of unexpectedly inflicting significant damage on enemy troops, destroying all plans for an attack even at the initial stage. In addition, army aviation ensures the mobility of the armed forces, which makes it possible to ensure the formation of a decisive superiority in equipment and manpower in a specific direction.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Germans relied on the tactics of a lightning war, which was supposed to bring a quick victory over the Soviet troops. One of the main points was strikes on airfields. The location of military airfields for the Germans was not a mystery, since long before the start of the war, intelligence (including air intelligence) provided data on Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe maps. Having received a directive from the center, the command of the Western, Kyiv Special, Odessa, Leningrad and Baltic Special Military Districts failed to timely transfer aviation to alternate airfields, which in large numbers were not prepared, and the camouflage of the main positions left much to be desired. Thus, on the first day of the war, the Germans managed to destroy about 1200 aircraft, which ensured complete air supremacy for Nazi Germany.

Experienced aces of the Luftwaffe on aircraft that were superior in technical characteristics to the Soviet ones shot down our pilots. Including the training of the flight personnel of the USSR Air Force was often erroneous. After all, officers were taught that the battle should be fought at high altitude, and the Germans sometimes acted even at the lowest possible heights. But over time, ours learned to beat the Fritz, both on the ground and in the air. Glorious are the feats of hero pilots: Kozhedub, Pokryshkin, Amet-Khan Sultan, Gastello, Rechkalov, Evstigneev and many others, whose name inspired fear in the enemy. With their heroic actions, they formed the tradition of the air forces of our country: resilience, courage, duty (the motto of one of the flying units of Russia).

* To combat the German aces, a special flight unit was created in the USSR, into which talented fighter pilots who won many victories in air battles were recruited. The 9th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment was created in 1942. During the war years, the pilots of this military unit shot down 558 enemy aircraft, which is the third indicator in the Soviet Union. 28 Heroes of the Soviet Union fought in this regiment, four of which were twice Heroes.

Glorious are the exploits of the pilots who fought far from their homeland, fulfilling orders and international duty. In the mountains of Afghanistan, over the Korean Peninsula, in the skies of Spain, our pilots, risking their lives, often saved the lives of soldiers and officers of ground forces. This clearly shows that oath, duty, honor are sacred concepts that live in the hearts of Russian pilots from generation to generation.

Air Force Day proves how much the role of military aviation is highly valued in Russia. On this day, they remember and honor the pilots who did not return from combat sorties, those whose names are forever inscribed in the history of the Great Victory with golden letters of glory and courage, those who participated in other armed conflicts, fulfilling their international duty in the heavenly heights. It is also customary to congratulate those who have ever served in the air force, or now wear epaulettes with the Air Force emblem.

When is Air Force Day celebrated?

To honor the pilots and everyone associated with army aviation at the state level, there is a holiday Air Force Day, the date of celebration of which by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of August 29, 1997 No. 949 is set as August 12. The year of foundation of the Air Force in modern Russia is 1992. In 2006, in connection with the signing of the Decree of the President of Russia "On the Establishment of Professional Holidays and Memorable Days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation", the celebration of the Air Force Day was moved to the same day as the day of the Russian Air Force, to the third Sunday in August.

The history of the celebration of Air Force Day

The history of the formation of the Air Force dates back to the distant 1910, when the Russian Empire purchased aircraft from France. Then two flying schools were founded in Gatchina and Sevastopol, which were under the patronage of Prince Alexander Mikhailovich. Later, with his active participation in Sevastopol, an officer school for aviation was created. But at that time, aircraft were considered an integral part of the engineering troops.

August 12, 1912 is considered the date of birth of military aviation in Russia. It was on this day that Nicholas II signed a decree on the creation of the first aviation unit in the Russian Empire. We are talking about the order of July 12, 1912 No. 397 of the Minister of War Sukhomlinov V.A. about the fact that all affairs of aviation and aeronautics are transferred to the jurisdiction of the aeronautical part of the General Staff. In 1913, the aviation unit was disbanded.

Already in 1918, the Bolsheviks created the workers' and peasants' Red Air Fleet. In 1933, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on August 18 approved the date for the celebration of the All-Union Aviation Day, timed to coincide with the outstanding achievements of the Soviet aviation industry, flight technicians and flight personnel of the Red Army Air Force. Thus, for the first time in the history of the country, a date was set at the state level to celebrate such an event as Air Force Day.

In 1980, the celebration of the Army Aviation Day was moved to the third Sunday of August by the relevant Decree of the Supreme Presidium of the USSR. In 1992, already in the Russian Federation, an appropriate legal document was adopted, by which the date of the celebration of the day of military aviation remained unchanged. In 1997, Air Force Day was established.

Given the historical realities, for military pilots, the new date for the celebration was August 12 until 2006, when the corresponding Presidential Decree was signed. To date, a professional holiday for all those involved in military aviation is the third Sunday of the last summer month.

In 2012, on August 11-12, a large-scale celebration of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Russian Air Force took place. On this day, a grandiose air show took place in Zhukovsky near Moscow, with the participation of foreign and rare models of equipment (including biplanes from the First World War). In addition, aerobatic teams from Poland, France, Great Britain, Turkey, Latvia, Finland and Italy also took part. The day ended with a grand fireworks display. On the occasion of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Air Force, a commemorative medal was issued.

How Russia celebrates Air Force Day, video:

Celebrations on Air Force Day in Russian cities

In Russian cities, the holiday of military aviation is widely celebrated where the Air Force units are deployed. All comers are admitted to the bases, military equipment is shown. Some lucky ones manage to sit at the controls of a combat aircraft or at the controls of a simulator. Aviation shows are held in large cities, in which a group of Russian aces "Russian Knights", "Rus" takes part. On TV on this day they show the Soviet cinema "Heavenly slug" and "Only old men go to battle" and films about military pilots of various production (including the United States). Flowers and wreaths are laid at the graves of pilots. Of course, in small towns and villages where the remains of dead pilots are buried, flowers are laid only on May 9th. In cities where there are sports aviation clubs, small performances of paratroopers and gliders are held.

Air Force Day Balashov

In the city where the Balashov Training Aviation Center is located, on the day of the Air Force, a solemn parade of cadets is held on Yubileinaya Square. After the solemn rally, the formation of cadets passes through the central square. Not only heads of local self-government bodies come to congratulate the personnel of the center, but also members of the “Combat Brotherhood” (societies of city officers).

Air Force Day Moscow

In the capital of the Russian Federation, at the Monino airfield, a parade is held on this day with the participation of all the complexes that are in service with the Air Force. Concerts and competitions are held in Monino, where the prize is a round-trip ticket to any city in Russia by plane. At the same time, special-purpose equipment and transport aviation are demonstrated. In squares and parks, everyone involved in the holiday gathers.

Air Force Day Saint Petersburg

In the village of Nikolskoye, on the third Sunday of August, events are held annually dedicated to Air Force Day. The program usually includes: demonstration jumps, landing accuracy competitions among parachutists, demonstration aerobatics on sports aircraft, creative teams and artists entertain the public. In addition, a soldier's kitchen is open for everyone.

Air Force Day Kaliningrad

In the westernmost city of Rossi, celebrations also take place on this date. Usually, under the patronage of the command of the Western Military District, an exhibition of both military and civilian flight equipment is organized.

Air Force Day Volgograd

In the hero city, the doors of the Stalingrad Battle Museum are open for everyone. Often there are air shows or an exhibition of combat aircraft. And every year there is a concert on the Volzhan embankment.

Air Force Day Yekaterinburg

Grandiose air shows are held every year at the Uktus airfield, where a large variety of military aviation equipment is presented, ranging from front-line bombers to giant helicopters of the Mi family. City Day in Yekaterinburg is celebrated on the third Saturday of August, which allows you to combine two holidays into one, making it really interesting.

Air Force Day Krasnoyarsk

In Krasnoyarsk, the local aviation club puts on a show. Demonstration skydiving is a tribute to tradition, but flying on a sightseeing Boeing is a novelty. Also, entertainment venues and extreme rides are installed at the airfield.

Air Force Day Irkutsk

Usually all celebrations take place at the city's international airport. In the public garden named after Kirov, a rally and a solemn formation of the personnel of military units and the Irkutsk Higher Military Aviation Engineering School (IVVAIU) are taking place. After laying wreaths at the Eternal Flame, IVVAIU hosts an open day, where everyone can get acquainted with the models of equipment at the training airfield.

Air Force Day Rostov-on-Don

A lot of servicemen from parts of Rostov-on-Don took part in armed conflicts in the North Caucasus, including pilots. In addition, Rostov-on-Don is a large city where the Air Force and Air Defense Command of the Southern Military District is located. Accordingly, the festivities are held here on a wide scale: air shows, demonstration performances (including the landing of troops from helicopters, imitation of a battle) and concerts to the attention of Rostovites.

Air Force Day Vladivostok

The local air force day is notable for the fact that naval aviation takes part in the holiday.

How the Air Force Day is celebrated in Khabarovsk, an interesting video:

In mid-August, another professional holiday of the Russian military is celebrated, comparable in popularity to the Day of the Navy and the Day of the Airborne Forces. This is a holiday of Russian military pilots - Russian Air Force Day.

When the Russian Air Force celebrates

Russian Air Force Day is celebrated annually 12th of August in accordance with the presidential decree of 2006 "On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."

Russian Air Force Day has the status of a memorable day and is not a day off.

Day 12th of August chosen to honor military pilots for a reason. The fact is that on August 12 (July 30, old style), 1912, the Russian emperor Nicholas II By his decree, he formed the first military aviation unit in Russia, which was subordinate to the General Staff.

Later, when aviation, including military aviation, conquered the sky more and more firmly, the aviation unit grew into the Imperial Air Force, whose traditions were preserved in Soviet times.

The victory of the October Revolution in 1918 in Soviet Russia created the Workers' and Peasants' Red Air Fleet. In 1933, a holiday was established in honor of Soviet pilots - Aviation Day (Day of the Air Force of the USSR), which was celebrated on August 18.

Since 1980, the Day of the Air Fleet of the USSR has been celebrated on the third Sunday of August, this tradition continues today, so the holiday of civil aviation in 2017 will be celebrated August 20.

On Aviation Day, festive events related to the Russian Air Force are also traditionally held. But the holiday of military pilots, as mentioned above, is celebrated a week earlier - on August 12th.

The feat of Russian pilots

Domestic military aviation, which began its heroic journey in the First World War, is today one of the strongest in the world. Soviet pilots covered themselves with unfading glory during the years of the Great Patriotic War, their feat is glorified in literature, in poetry, in cinema.

Can you remember the verses? Vladimir Vysotsky“I am a Yak fighter”, “There are eight of them - there are two of us. The alignment before the fight is not ours, but we will play”, “We took off like ducks from the muddy fields” and other works.

The most famous Soviet films about the feat of pilots during the Great Patriotic War: "Chronicle of a dive bomber", "Only "old men" go into battle", "Night witches in the sky", "Clear Sky" and others.

Aerospace Forces of Russia

Today the Air Force is the most important part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

In 2015, in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia, the Air Force was merged with the Aerospace Defense Forces, thus a new type of troops was born - the Aerospace Forces of Russia (VKS RF).

The Russian Aerospace Forces from the first for its existence began to carry out the assigned tasks. Russian pilots became especially famous during the operation in the Syrian Arab Republic against the terrorist group "Islamic State" banned in the Russian Federation 1 .

1 The organization is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.

It finds its origins in the Russian Empire, which became its progenitor by purchasing aircraft from France. This became a prerequisite for the founding of flight schools, and then for the creation of military aviation. Until now, Russia pays tribute to the pilots who did not return from the battlefield, who achieved victory at the cost of their lives, honors the military who underwent exercises and achieved success in service. However, not everyone knows what date the Air Force holiday is, despite its state status. To clarify, we must turn to history.

The birth of the celebration

Initially, it can be considered August 12. It was on this date in 1912 that Nicholas II signed a decree on the creation of the first aviation unit, which was part of the Main Directorate of the General Staff. Prior to that, aviation was part of And only with the signing of the Decree began to perform independent intelligence functions.

Why, then, the question arises of what date is the Air Force holiday?

It must be remembered that once in Russia there was a Soviet and post-Soviet space.

The first prerequisite for changing the date of the celebration was the creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Fleet in 1918.

Even then, the Bolsheviks were getting rid of all the symbols and remnants that reminded of the once existing Russian Empire.

Let's start researching the topic. Air Force holiday, what date has been approved since the days of the USSR?

In 1933, to match the new fleet, a new date for the celebration was chosen - August 18th. The main motive in choosing the day was the combination of the celebration with the end of the summer period of combat training and the demonstration of the merits of aviation production. Now the holiday includes obligatory competitions in aeronautics, performance in the field of aerobatics, as well as fire exercises.

The purpose of creating the Day of the Air Force was to promote the development of socialism through the growth of aviation construction and the strengthening of air defense. However, it would be fair to say that the USSR fleet consisted of several aircraft, which means that they soon began to separate, demanding their own day of honor. So, for example, Civil Aviation Day appeared.

So, the question of when to celebrate the holiday remains open.

It becomes inevitable that the Air Force joins the general trend and petitions for a separate show of respect.

In 1997, the President of the Russian Federation, listening to the requests of military aviators and taking into account their merits, both in land and sea military operations, issues a decree recognizing Air Force Day and returns the historical date - August 12.

Now the question of what date the Air Force holiday seems to have been resolved. But no.

Having completely confused the people, it was decided to approve the third Sunday of August as the official Day of the Air Force. The reason for this was the need to combine the Day of the Foundation of Russian Aviation with a day off. Thus, the government was able to find a consensus without forgetting the historical roots.

little confusion

Some do not just wonder about the date of the celebration, but ask: “What date is the Air Force, Air Defense holiday?”

Do not combine these two great events into one. Despite some similarity in dates, Air Force Day, as we found out, is celebrated on the third Sunday of August, and Air Defense Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in April - the holidays are different.

In addition, the celebration on the occasion of the Air Defense Day is younger. The first participation in the battle of these troops was marked by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. It was for merits during this difficult period for the country that the army was awarded its own memorable day.

True, there were no changes in dates here either. It was originally celebrated on April 11, but already in 1980 it was moved to the second Sunday of the same month.

Yet the differences between these memorable dates are stronger than their similarities.

Conclusion

The great dates of our Motherland should be remembered, because this is history, the struggle of ancestors for the life that we now have.

Everyone needs to know what date the Air Force holiday is, this holiday must be celebrated, paying tribute to all those who fought for our peaceful sky.