Our great country has many reasons to be proud, one of which is the air defense forces. It is thanks to these defenders of the Fatherland that Russians can live in peace, love, grow up without fear of threats from the air.
However, people are so accustomed to the impeccable work of the fighters of the air defense forces that they no longer appreciate the security provided, the hard work of the defenders, taking it for granted. Therefore, the government of the Russian Federation decided to introduce a good and important holiday - the Day of the Air Defense Forces, which is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of April. Air Defense Day in 2017 falls on April 9th.
The history of the air defense forces and the holiday "Air Defense Day"
In the modern world, military conflicts are usually not complete without the participation of aviation. The use of air power provides a number of advantages when compared with other means. With the help of aviation, reconnaissance is carried out, provisions are being landed, weapons, manpower, and precision strikes are delivered, if necessary. Opposition to enemy aircraft is carried out by special units. The holiday is dedicated to them.
The history of the Air Defense Forces dates back to the dawn of the 20th century, during the First World War. With the advent of airships and balloons used for military purposes, the need arose for an opposing force.
In order to protect our troops from the destructive actions of the enemy from a height, our military began to use portable rapid-fire cannons and machine guns, with which they shot down enemy aircraft when they approached the location of a military unit.
In 1914, the first battery of guns was created, which performed the tasks of monitoring and eliminating enemy aircraft. A year later, the first anti-aircraft guns appeared, and with the help of airships and balloons, a full-fledged air surveillance system was created.
The real "baptism of fire" of the air defense forces was the Second World War. The rapid development of aviation completely destroyed the security of the rear areas - the forces of tank units and infantry could not deter air raids. To ensure the security of the rear, special military units were allocated, the task of which was to protect and preserve the "purity of the sky."
Over time, from a rather uncomplicated security system, air defense has turned into a high-tech segment of the Russian defense forces.
On February 20, 1975, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On the Establishment of the Annual Holiday of the Day of the Air Defense Forces of the Country” was adopted. The celebration should certainly draw public attention to the underestimated merits of the units of these troops, as well as the invaluable contribution of these "knights of heaven" to the defense of the Motherland, both in wartime and in peacetime.
Already in 2006, the commander-in-chief of our country, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, signed a document that included the holiday in honor of the guards of peace and security from the sky to the list of memorable days and professional holidays in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
The date of the Air Defense Day was not chosen by chance and is symbolic. Just in mid-April, the adoption of the most important resolutions relating to the organization and adjustment of the air defense system, as well as the creation of such troops, took place.
Initially, this significant day was celebrated on April 11, and in 1980 the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR decided to move the date of celebration to the second Sunday of April each year.
Air Defense Day Traditions
The custom, formed over the years, gathers veterans, officers and cadets at festive tables. Toasts are made in honor of colleagues, congratulations, wishes of peace and health are heard. The military show each other albums with memorable photographs, tell interesting stories from everyday work, share experiences and plans for the future.
Of course, the celebration continues with family, loved ones, friends and comrades. Both at home and at work, employees of the department receive gifts. These can be souvenirs or useful thematic presentations: from atlases to books about the history of military units. Under the leadership of the command, a solemn ceremony of awarding distinguished employees with orders, medals, certificates of honor is held. Appreciation notes are also included in personal files.
The best employees of the power state body are promoted in positions and ranks for outstanding achievements in the professional field. Also, Air Defense Day is marked by a certain rite of the so-called "washing" of new stars that appear on shoulder straps. This interesting tradition involves lowering the new insignia into a vessel of liquor to be drained.
Air defense - a number of special troops that protect the state in the airspace. The most courageous men who love the sky and heights serve in them. People call them air border guards. Air Defense Day is their professional holiday.
In the Soviet Union, this holiday was celebrated on the second Sunday of April. After the collapse of the USSR, each of the countries with air defense troops set its own date.
So, in Ukraine, the first president, Leonid Danilovich Kuchma, set the date of the holiday for the first Sunday of July. But 10 years later, President Viktor Andreyevich Yushchenko moved the date to the first Sunday in August. Thus, on August 5, Ukrainian troops will celebrate day Air defense in 2018 .
In Russia and Belarus, they did not change the date of the holiday and celebrate it, as in the USSR. Therefore, the Russian and Belarusian air defense forces will meet their professional on April 8.
History of the Air Defense Forces
The need for air defense troops appeared during the First World War, when in many countries technical progress had grown to military aircraft and the need to protect the airspace of the state became more relevant than ever.
With the help of the air force in those turbulent times, they carried out reconnaissance, landing of troops, delivery of food products, medical supplies. And with the help of air weapons, it was possible to deliver more accurate and destructive blows.
In 1915, at the height of the First World War, when Germany occupied a dominant position in the air, the first artillery brigades appeared to fire on the air fleet of the aggressor country. However, in the future, it was necessary to create a centralized control of air defense. So, in 1927, the headquarters of the Red Army created the sixth department - the department of air defense.
The most responsible and difficult hours, a kind of baptism of fire, for the air defense forces was the Great Patriotic War. Aviation developed so rapidly that it took a lot of courage, endurance and ingenuity to protect the rear from air attacks. It was then that the concept was born - the ground forces of air defense.
The first failures in the Second World War required adjustments, and the air defense forces were reorganized into a separate structure.
Heroes of air defense and heroic deeds
As you know, the year from 1942 to 1943 became the year of a radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War, and this happened largely thanks to the air defense forces. They not only took an important and active part in the protection of special objects of the country, but also played an invaluable role in the blockade of the enemy.
The officers of the 7th Air Defense Fighter Aviation Corps, together with their commander, Hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel A. Antonov, developed a new system for targeting fighters to enemy aircraft, which made it possible to strike more accurately.
The heroic deeds of which the air defense forces can be proud are countless, we will describe only a few of them as examples.
On the first day of the attack on Leningrad, six fighters under the command of Lieutenant V.N. Kharitonov rose to defend the city. As a result, from the first approach, he shot down an enemy bomber and then another one. Others followed his example. Senior Lieutenant V. I. Potapov also managed to shoot down two. And three more fighters controlling the rest of the fighters also distinguished themselves - Senior Lieutenant A. T. Karpov, Junior Lieutenant A. G. Andrianov and Sergeant P. A. Vnukov shot down one German Junkers-87.
Thanks to the air defense forces under the command of Major General of Artillery P. F. Rozhkov, it was possible to lift the blockade of Leningrad and hold positions, blocking the attacks of enemy forces.
Another story tells about the heroism, courage and ingenuity of air defense soldiers. Captain V. A. Matsievich, who flew out for reconnaissance, noticed a disguised enemy column moving towards Sinyavino. Without hesitation, the captain realized that if two front and two rear tanks were knocked out, he would be able to stop and block the enemy. And despite the complexity of the task set for himself, he completed it.
All of the above individuals, as well as many other air defense soldiers, were awarded medals, orders and one of the most honorable, at that time, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Always on the lookout
From the war years to the present day, the leadership of the country attaches special importance to this segment of the troops. Every day, its air border guards stand guard over the sky of the country. Of course, today progress has stepped even further - there are modern aircraft, there is modern technology, radars that monitor so that the enemy does not violate the borders, but most importantly, there are those who can manage it all and dedicate, and sometimes even give, their lives to this .
In the USSR, in 1975, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet signed a Decree on the annual celebration of Air Defense Day. Thus, the leadership wanted to emphasize the special significance and weight of the air defense forces for protecting the country and its citizens, both in wartime and in peacetime.
These troops are in constant combat readiness, because their role is extremely important precisely in the first hours and days of the attack, when the enemy is trying to deliver a crushing air strike in order to immediately seize the leading positions in the war.
Holiday traditions
On Air Defense Day there are no such noisy "festivities" as on Airborne Forces Day, but employees of the air defense forces also gather at a good table with fellow soldiers, friends and relatives. They recall the events that took place during the years of service, both serious and curious.
On this day, various concerts and other events are organized, at which the country's leadership or the top leadership of the troops reward those who have particularly distinguished themselves, some are promoted in rank. Everyone is given symbolic gifts.
But the best gift for the “knights of the airspace” is a peaceful sky overhead.
Day of the Air Defense Forces (Air Defense) is a professional holiday of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, introduced by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 31, 2006 No. 549 and celebrated on the second Sunday of April annually. This is due to the fact that it was in April that the modern formation of the country's air defense forces at the state level took place. The history of the military branch dates back to the winter of 1914 during the First World War, when for the first time in the Russian Empire cannons and light machine guns were used to shoot down Austrian and German airplanes. Then there was the ordeal of the Great Patriotic War, and the modern formation of the armed forces, as an integral part of the Russian army units. Air Defense Day is celebrated by all military personnel, one way or another related to the defense of the air borders of the Russian Federation.
Peaceful sky above our heads
I wish you all health and wellness,
Happy Air Defense Day, I congratulate
So that trouble does not touch anyone!
So that the sun shines so brightly
So that happiness comes to the house,
So that our military strength,
Protected our cordon!
Let the sky be only peaceful
And the sun gives everyone warmth,
We will celebrate today
All together holiday air defense.
Heaven is in your hands
From attacks and attacks,
Yours, friend, we would all have courage,
No way to defeat you.
And our people sleep peacefully
Peace and joy in the cities,
After all, you serve with dignity,
You know no fear.
On your holiday of wisdom, good luck
Big wish and love
May your task be difficult
Get some rest today!
Congratulations on your professional holiday. I wish you only a cloudless blue sky, clear airy borders. Thanks to your work, not a single enemy will cross the air borders of our homeland. I wish you good luck and patience, health and professionalism. Let no one ever dare to encroach on our majestic sky. Happy Air Defense Day!
Air defense troops - a shield of air borders,
Defense of Russia from all attacks.
Heroes of worthy pages serve here
Our history! They are a wave of congratulations!
You be brave, as always.
You are reliable as usual.
Let your country be proud of you.
And may you always be lucky unusually!
All air spaces
Locked out from enemy interference.
No empty talk
Our air defense, of course, is the best.
I congratulate you heartily!
Your service is so important.
Let life be perfect
May these heavens keep you.
Air defense is the guard of the country.
Defense is a sacred task!
Tomorrow there will also be no war,
Even so and nothing else!
For the sake of the clear sky of the country,
And just for peace
Sons go on duty again,
They know what it is
How to protect the country's apple ...
... all year round - day and night.
Rarely holidays will meet here -
They have eternal everyday life, in short!
I love sunshine in April.
Substituting the muzzle for the rays,
From quiet bliss I am thrilled,
And congratulations to you!
First I would like to point out:
UFOs don't fly to us.
Book a business trip here
The air defense service interferes!
Thank you sky borders
We are locked up all the time!
I want to shoot all the troubles
The antiaircraft gun of happiness in difficult times!
While I said congratulations to you,
An object with a scary "carrr" sound
Suddenly passed over my head...
And it hit me so hard!
That is a sign of fate! Not zabobons!
That is a sure sign for money!
To the Air Defense Forces
I will send this object...
To everyone who is in air defense
Serving faithfully for a year now,
We wish you always in the sky
There was only peace to save us!
Let the ray of luck shine brightly for you,
We wish you only a colorful spring!
You are responsible for our safety
So, you are all full of courage!
On the day of air defense, I congratulate you,
Defenders of the bottomless skies,
I wish you all health in the body,
Cars - flying equipped.
Victories in the service, in personal life,
Good luck, great joy,
May everything be fine with you
The danger will pass.
Let dreams come true
Hold tight to the steering wheel
With all my heart I wish you
So that the finest hour has come soon.
Happy day of the strongest, most courageous troops,
Air defense congratulations.
Service to you responsible and proud,
I wish with all my heart.
May order always be in life,
Your thoughts are clear in your head.
Always be fair to everyone
Be honest with yourself and others!
The air defense forces are an extremely important branch of the armed forces that defend the airspace of our Motherland. The military serving in the air defense units are brave people who do not care about heights or threats in the sky. Men related to the air defense forces are popularly called air border guards. They have their own holiday - Air Defense Day, which is celebrated in April.
The Soviet Union is a multinational superpower that managed to defeat the world evil called fascism. However, despite the colossal technical potential, as well as the ideal geographical position, which made it possible to provide the country with all the necessary natural resources and minerals, the USSR ceased to exist.
Before the financial and political crisis that plunged the Soviet Union, the state had the most powerful army in the world. The air defense troops were also the best. Soviet citizens celebrated Air Defense Day on the second Sunday of April.
When is it celebrated in Ukraine
After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine took a course towards the West. In order to identify himself as an independent nation, the first President L. D. Kuchma moved the celebration of the Day of the Air Defense Forces to the first Sunday in July. However, ten years after the change of power, the second president of Ukraine, V. A. Yushchenko, set a completely different date, moving the celebration to the first Sunday of August. Based on this, we can say when the Air Defense Day is celebrated in Ukraine. In 2018, the holiday falls on August 5th.
When is celebrated in Belarus and Russia
Despite the fact that the USSR no longer exists, Belarus and Russia have remained true to the established tradition. The holiday, as before, is celebrated on the second Sunday of the last summer month. Thus, the Belarusian and Russian military will celebrate Air Defense Day on April 8 in 2018.
Air Defense Forces: History
Today it is impossible to imagine a modern army without air defense forces. The need for a special kind of troops that will stand guard over the Motherland and cover the sky appeared more than a century ago. During the First World War, when technological progress made it possible to create not only primitive tanks, but also reconnaissance aircraft, it became necessary to protect the airspace. Despite the fact that the aircraft designed at the beginning of the century were not equipped with combat elements, they could freely deliver medicines, food and conduct air reconnaissance. This gave the enemy a significant advantage.
The most technologically advanced during the First World War was Germany, which gained absolute air supremacy. In order to turn the tide at the front and prevent the enemy from occupying their native lands, the first artillery systems were designed to allow firing at aircraft. They were successfully tested by specially formed army brigades. However, for a more effective fight against the raiders, it was necessary to create a central air defense headquarters, which appeared already in 1927.
Baptism of fire
It was possible to really test the forces of air defense during the Great Patriotic War. A technological breakthrough has made it possible to modernize military equipment. Now the planes had deadly weapons on board, for example, aerial bombs, which caused significant damage to both manpower and enemy infrastructure. To protect their native cities from the Nazi raid, Soviet soldiers had a chance to show not only incredible courage, stamina, but also quick wits.
It was during the war with Germany that the first official units of the ground air defense forces appeared. However, their effectiveness left much to be desired. In the post-war years, analyzing the work of the air defense forces, significant adjustments were made to the very structure of the unit.
The exploits and heroes of the air defense forces
The Great Patriotic War is a bloody stain in history. The turning point is considered to be 1943. It was in this year that the Soviet army managed to move from defense to counterattack, and the importance of air defense forces can hardly be overestimated.
So, for example, Colonel Antonov A.A., commander of the 7th Air Defense Aviation Corps, together with his colleagues developed an innovative system for pointing fighters at enemy air targets. This made it possible to deal crushing blows with greater accuracy. After the war, the colonel received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Celebrating Air Defense Day, military personnel related to this type of troops can be truly proud of their history, which knows many similar examples.
During the war between Germany and the USSR, when the fascist troops had just begun their attack on Leningrad, six domestic fighters took off into the sky above the city. The detachment of pilots was commanded by Lieutenant Kharitonov V.N., who that day managed to destroy two enemy bombers at once. Following their commander, other servicemen who flew fighters also distinguished themselves. Senior Lieutenant Potapov V.I. eliminated a couple of enemy aircraft. Senior lieutenant Karpov A.T., junior lieutenant Andrianov A.G. and sergeant Vnukov P.A. destroyed one Nazi winged car each.
Thanks to the air defense forces commanded by Major General Rozhkov P.F., it was possible not only to hold positions during the blockade of Leningrad, but also to lift the siege of the city, effectively repelling enemy raids.
The story that describes the feat of Captain V. A. Matsievich, who, during a reconnaissance flight, discovered an enemy tank column, seems incredible. The Russian officer did not lose his head, he showed ingenuity and courage. He knocked out two tanks at the beginning and tail of the column, thereby blocking the enemy. After that, the pilot transmitted the data to the headquarters, and the Nazi equipment was finally defeated.
All of the above heroes received the highest military award, and their names are forever inscribed in history.
Holiday traditions and what date is Air Defense Day
Over the long history of the existence of this type of troops, their own traditions and customs have developed. But it is unlikely that the average citizen of our country knows when Air Defense Day is in Russia. This is due to the fact that the military personnel of the air defense forces are more restrained and modestly celebrate their holiday, unlike the paratroopers.
On this day, it is customary to organize all kinds of concerts and events, at the end of which the higher command solemnly awards the fighters, and also the next ranks are awarded. This year the celebration took place in April, namely on the 8th. Air Defense Day is a holiday of real men who keep our airspace under lock and key.
On April 12 this year, several holidays and memorable dates of very different status fall at once. One of these holidays is Air Defense Troops Day. Day of the Air Defense Forces on the basis of a presidential decree of May 31, 2006 is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of April. In 2015, the second Sunday in April fell on the 12th.
The history of the air defense forces begins at about the same time that aviation began to be actively used for military purposes. The first use of units responsible for air defense was noted during the First World War. For obvious reasons, a large selection of special military-technical means for defeating enemy aircraft in those years did not yet exist, and therefore air defense means were often used by fighters in conventional combat. Airplanes and airships of the enemy were fired upon from small arms and three-inch field guns. Given the characteristics of aviation of that period of time, such shelling often led to the destruction of enemy aircraft.
However, in Russia, by the time the First World War began, there were already developments of an anti-aircraft gun. We are talking about an anti-aircraft gun developed by specialists from the Putilov factory. The chief designer, as it was then called, of the anti-aircraft gun was the engineer Franz Lender, who graduated from the vocational school and graduated with honors from the St. Petersburg Institute of Technology. The first 76 mm anti-aircraft gun was designed by Franz Lender in close cooperation with officer Vasily Tarnovsky. Despite the fact that both made a significant contribution to the creation of an anti-aircraft gun, the gun in historiography is called the "Lender anti-aircraft 76-mm gun".
Franz Lender
About a year later, the first automobile battery for firing at air targets was formed in Russia. The battery was sent to the territory of Poland, where it showed itself, as they say, from the best side. The car battery consisted of four Lender-Tarnovsky guns mounted on armored vehicles.
In the photo on the left - Vasily Tarnovsky
The cars themselves served as the so-called charging boxes. The car battery included three cars for communications and officers. In addition, there were 4 motor units for scouts and an army car (zeihgauz) used as a field kitchen.
Already in the first battle on the Northern Front, the personnel of the anti-aircraft gunners battery shot down two of the nine German aircraft that carried out the raid. The battle took place in the area of the settlement of Pultuska (Poland).
76-mm anti-aircraft guns were installed not only on trucks, but also on armored trains.
The mass of the projectile, which was used when firing from an anti-aircraft gun of this type, was about 6.5 kg. The maximum reach is about 5 thousand meters in height with a practical rate of fire of 10-12 rounds per minute. During World War I, 30 batteries equipped with 76 mm anti-aircraft guns were formed in Russia.
It is noteworthy that these guns were used after the end of the First World War. The last Lender-Tarnovsky anti-aircraft gun was produced in the USSR in 1934.
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of Soviet anti-aircraft gunners during the Great Patriotic War. Anti-aircraft gunners covered not only strategically important military and industrial facilities, the movement of military columns, but also the most important historical and architectural monuments, which, among other things, became targets for the Luftwaffe. Anti-aircraft gunners did everything possible to repel air strikes on Leningrad, Moscow, and other cities of the Soviet Union. From archival documents it is known that during the Great Patriotic War, Nazi aviation carried out more than 30 thousand raids on the USSR. The total number of munitions dropped on certain objects, according to some sources, is estimated at hundreds of thousands. Thus, the number of incendiary bombs dropped from Nazi aircraft exceeded one million units!
As you know, from among the civilians in the cities, teams were formed that eliminated the danger posed by "lighters". The largest number of incendiary charges were neutralized by local residents in Leningrad - we are talking about tens of thousands of cases of preventing fires and large fires both in the residential sector and at industrial facilities.
During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the fighters of the air defense forces, which included a considerable number of the fair sex, shot down more than 7.5 thousand enemy aircraft. On account of Soviet anti-aircraft gunners - the destruction and ground equipment of opponents - more than a thousand tanks and 1.5 thousand guns of various types.
For the first time in the official calendar of holidays, the Day of the Air Defense Forces appears in 1975. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, April 11 is appointed as the date of the holiday. Since 1980, Air Defense Forces Day has been celebrated annually on the second Sunday of April. A 2006 presidential decree established the official celebration of Air Defense Troops Day in modern Russia.
Today, air defense units are equipped with the latest anti-aircraft systems, which are considered among the best in the world in terms of a number of indicators. Last week, several S-400 Triumph systems arrived in Kamchatka, where they took up combat duty in Vilyuchinsk and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The Russian Ministry of Defense plans for 2020 to put into service the latest S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as modernized radio-technical systems.
"Military Review" congratulates the military personnel and veterans of the air defense forces on their professional holiday and says thank you for the peaceful sky!
