Russian Air Force Day () is a professional military holiday of Russia celebrated on 12 August to honor the active and reserve personnel, as well as veterans of the

Russian Aerospace Forces The Russian Aerospace Forces or Russian Air and Space Forces (VKS) comprise the air force, aerial, space force, space warfare, and Missile defense, missile defence Military branch, branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It was ...

History

Air Fleet Day (), also known as the Air Forces Day or Soviet Aviation DayPre-history of MAKS
- provides the complete information on Russian and Soviet air shows. was established in 1933 and was celebrated on the third Sunday of August. The first aviation exhibition was held on 18 August 1933, at the initiative of Yakov Alksnis at Moscow's Khodynka Aerodrome. Future air parades were held at Tushino Airfield, where they remained for decades. In 1937, the parade was attended by nearly a million people, Soviet Air Force Day was enshrined by decree of the

Presidium of the Supreme Soviet The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet () was the standing body of the highest organ of state power, highest body of state authority in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).The Presidium of the Soviet Union is, in short, the legislativ ...

on 1 October 1980. On 28 September 1992, the Presidium of the

Supreme Soviet of Russia The Supreme Soviet of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Russian SFSR, later the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation, was the supreme government institution of the Russian SFSR from 1938 to 1990; between 1990 and 1993, it was ...

fixed this date as Russian Air Force Day. The modern holiday was introduced to the

Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. They are organized into three service branches—the Russian Ground Forces, Ground Forces, Russian Navy, Navy, and Russi ...

by President

Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. Putin also served as Prime Minister of Ru ...

on 31 May 2006. The date was chosen based on the fact that 12 August 1912 marks the anniversary of the establishment of the

Imperial Russian Air Service The Imperial Russian Air Service () was an air force founded in 1912 for Russian Empire, Imperial Russia."''12 августа 1912 года приказом по военному ведомству вопросы воздухоплавания ...

, which was formerly part of the Engineer Corps.Военно-воздушные силы // Советская военная энциклопедия (в 8 тт.) / под ред. Н. В. Огаркова. том 2. М.: Воениздат, 1976. стр.201–208 12 August is today considered to be the birthday of Russian military aviation.

Celebrations

Festive events dedicated to the holiday are held annually.УКАЗ Президента РФ от 29.08.97 N 949 (ред. от 31.05.2006) «ОБ УСТАНОВЛЕНИИ ДНЯ ВОЕННО-ВОЗДУШНЫХ СИЛ»
/ref> Air shows are commonly held at Zhukovsky Airport. Solemn events are held at the Moscow House of War and Armed Forces Veterans. The 2012 Air Force Day celebrations marked the centennial of Russian military aviation, being attended by President

Gallery

File:Su-34 Fullback formation - Zhukovsky 2012 (8726231645).jpg, Su-34s flying over Zhukovsky Airbase in 2012. File:Kremlin.ru - With Air Force servicemen and veterans.jpeg,

with Air Force veterans after the flypast. File:MiG-29, Su-27, Su-25 - Hundred.jpg, Su-34 crews perform at an air show in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force in Zhukovsky, August 12, 2012 File:The Soviet Union 1939 CPA 690 stamp (Plane).jpg, A stamp in honour of Air Fleet Day in 1939. File:USSR 1948 1214-1215 1419 0 (cropped).jpg, A stamp in honor of Air Fleet Day in 1948.

References

{{Reflist, 30em Air Force days August observances Russian Air Force Soviet Air Force Public holidays in Russia

History

Celebrations

Gallery

See also

References