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Russian Air Force Day
On August 12, the Day of the Russian Air Force is celebrated, which was established by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 1997. Until 2006, this holiday was celebrated on the third Sunday of August. However, by the Decree of the President dated May 31st, 2006, Air Force Day became an annual celebration on August 12th and was given the status of a commemorative day.
The history of Russian aviation dates back to July 30th (August 12th) in 1912, when the issues of aeronautics and aviation were transferred from the Main Engineering Directorate to a newly created body - the Aeronautical Division of the General Staff, by order of the military department. By August of 1914, Russia's air fleet had grown to 263 aircraft.
On December 20, 1917 (January 2, 1918), the All-Russian Air Fleet Management Board was established within the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs. In September 1918, it was transformed into the Aviation and Aeronautics Field Directorate of the Red Army.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Soviet aviation saw both quantitative and qualitative growth. New fighter, reconnaissance, and bomber aircraft were introduced. In 1924, the Red Army Air Force was formed. Between 1940 and 1941, production of the Yak-1, MiG-3, LaGG-3 fighter planes, Pe-2 and Pe-8 bombers, and Il-2 ground attack aircraft began. These aircraft proved their worth during the Great Patriotic War.
In the post-war years, the Soviet Air Force transitioned to jet aircraft. Helicopter units were also formed for various purposes. Due to the use of new technologies, the speed, altitude, and range of flights increased. Long-range aviation became an important component of the strategic nuclear forces of the USSR.
Following the Decree of the President of Russia on July 16, 1997, the Russian Air Force, including the Air Defense Forces, was established. On August 1, 2015, the Air Force and Aerospace Defense Forces merged to form the Russian Aerospace Forces, a new type of armed force in the Russian Armed Forces.
Until 1997, military and civilian pilots celebrated the Day of the Soviet Air Fleet (Aviation Day) together, which was established by Resolution No. 859 of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on April 28, 1933. This professional holiday for military aviators was created by the Decree of the President of Russia on August 29, 1997, entitled "On the Establishment of the Day of Air Force".
Lit.: День Военно-воздушных сил России // РИА Новости [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://ria.ru/20240812/vvs-1965112357.html; Евтифьев М. Д. Огненные крылья: история создания реактивной авиации СССР (1930–1946). М., 2005; Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 29.08.1997 г. № 949. Об установлении Дня Военно-воздушных сил // Президент России [Электронный ресурс]. URL: http://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank/11405; Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 31.05.2006 г. № 549. Об установлении профессиональных праздников и памятных дней в Вооружённых Силах Российской Федерации [Электронный ресурс]. URL: http://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank/23860.
Based on the materials of Presidential Library:
Воздушный флот – сила России. М., 1913;