Russian Air Fleet Day: how long ago it all started

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Russian Air Fleet Day… Saying the name of this glorious holiday, hardly

Does anyone think about how long it has been celebrated. And some have a question: "How does this memorable date differ from another, also known as the Day of the Air Force?" In fact, the names are similar, in the calendar significant days are located almost next to each other. So, maybe this is one holiday, which the people call differently? Let's figure it out. The first has very deep roots, although few people associate the solemn day with the name of Nicholas II. But it was he who was the person thanks to whom the WF became a real force in Russia. However, balloon and airship parks existed even earlier.

And it all started so long ago…

The Aeronautics Commission originated in Russia in 1869. She was charged with determining how effective balloons are, whether they are able to provide assistance during the war. A year later, through the efforts of the commission, the first balloon was raised into the sky of our country, and after another 16 years, the country's first aeronautics park appeared, which became a separate, independent structure. Of course, the pilots, or rather,aviators of that time cannot compare with modern aces. They could not even imagine what opportunities their great-grandchildren would have. But even then they were courageous, resolute, intelligent, well-educated specialists. The best of many. To fly into the sky, aviators studied the basics of physics, discovered the laws of aeronautics from their own experience. But the main thing is that they constantly improved their devices, on which they rose into the sky. The advantages of our aviation, all feats and records began with them - the first aeronauts of our country.

They were also envied by the boys. And that air fleet can be considered the progenitor of today's aviation, although officially the Day of the Russian Air Fleet began to be celebrated later.

Balloons, airships and doves

Interestingly, the first park that united aviators was subordinate to the Commission, which was responsible for the work of balloonists, watchtowers and … pigeon mail. Since then, pilots have participated in wars, correcting the fire, making reconnaissance. The ministers of war even created special "air" teams in Pskov, Novgorod, and several other cities. At that time, there were 65 balloons in all of Russia. In 1908, the park was replenished with airships. However, Russian Air Force Day was still not celebrated: military officials were distrustful of innovations, and they were afraid of airships. That did not prevent the opening of flight schools in Russia in 1910. It seemed that the fleet already exists (by this time there were as many as 7 aircraft in the country!), You can celebrate the Day of the Russian Air Fleet. But eventhe appearance of the first squadrons (1911) did not change the situation: the pilots were still subordinate to the Engineering Directorate. Only in 1912 Nicholas II changed the situation. He created a special unit that specialized exclusively in aeronautics and was subordinate to the General Staff. In August 1912, the Day of the Russian Air Fleet was celebrated for the first time. Of course, there was no holiday, no congratulations, but the event took place. Since then, not only pilots, but also everyone who served flying devices, have become especially respected people.

And Stalin, and the Supreme Soviet, and Putin

The role of aviation is hard to exaggerate. I. V. Stalin was also aware of this. It was he who decided to celebrate the Day of the VF of the USSR, starting from August 18, 1933. Holiday in the country

fell in love. Time passed, but when the USSR collapsed, and the new Russia was just born, the Supreme Council, preserving traditions, decided to leave Aviation Day on the holiday calendar. The last edition of the Decree took place in 2006. He canceled one of the points of the previous document "On the establishment of the Air Force Day." The holiday began to be considered a memorable day in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is designed to maintain the prestige of military aviation. Since that time, Air Force Day has been celebrated on August 12. Congratulate the aviators at the place of service, in families. However, all state Air Force celebrations are held on the third Sunday in August. Russian Air Force Day 2013 was celebrated on August 18, and this year it falls on August 17. Waiting!