• “Of the five thousand residents of Rostov celebrating the Day of the Airborne Forces, only one and a half thousand actually served in the landing troops”
  

Today is Air Force Day!

Airborne Troops Day!

Day of the Paratroopers or "Paratroopers"!

Of course, every year, the Landing Forces are becoming quieter. Grandiose fights and showdowns with the "Watermelon" mafia in the markets are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Still, our country is becoming more and more rigid to all kinds of lawlessness, on the one hand, on the other hand, we are at war in some places of the ball. And it has long been noticed that if the country's Army conducts real hostilities, fewer people bathe in fountains and go to protest rallies.

Therefore, the question is always relevant, how to distinguish a real paratrooper from someone who just puts on a vest and takes it, or maybe having made a “Throwout” tattoo, thumps in the fountain and tells army tales.

By the way, Muscovites differ in this. Anyone who served in the Airborne Forces knows that it is among those called up from Moscow that rotten soldiers are more common ...

Of course, not all, among the guys from Moscow there are many excellent fighters. I myself had a "druzhban" from the Capital in the army.

But honestly, everyone knows that among the inhabitants of Moscow there are “not quite good comrades”, more than from the outskirts of the country ...

We had a “Moskvich” in our company, the only communist among the soldiers. By the way, he was sent to the army after a “ball” (a ball or another slang expression in the army and airborne forces) in civilian life. He was a released secretary of the Komsomol, I do not remember where. There was a delay, but flew in, and was sent to serve in the elite troops. I'm sure he bathes in the fountain and thumps in a beret and vest.

But for one real paratrooper there are several fake ones. So let's start learning to identify the deceiver. I will give below a few questions and some detailed answers to these questions.

Knowing the answers to these questions, you can identify a fake "Landing"!

1. Where did you serve?

The answer to the Airborne Forces or the DSB does not work, as does the DMB (this is a demobilization!). Like the place of service, such as Pskov, Ryazan and so on. Maybe he had heard enough of the army tales of his older brother or neighbor. By the way, in addition, there may even be construction battalion workers in the military camp of the landing unit. For example, in Pskov. If anyone remembers, soldiers from the construction battalion went to the photographer and took photos in the “demobilization parade with axels” and a blue beret. They were sent home and boldly told that they were serving in the Airborne Forces. Of course they did it in secret. The construction battalion troops were not very fond of. In Pskov, there was a garrison bay (guard watch), this is the place where soldiers and officers are kept for minor and major violations of military discipline. The bay was guarded by the guard of the Pskov division

2. Part number?

Each military unit has a number. The unit number is driven into the soldier's head. As well as the number of the machine and the military ID. I served almost 30 years ago and still remember.

3. VUS what?

VUS, this military registration specialty is written in the Military ID. If such a Trooper shows you his soldier, then looking at his VUS, you will understand who he really is. “Military registration specialty (VUS) - an indication of the military specialty of an active or in reserve serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces and other troops and formations. Information about the VUS is entered into the military ID. All VUS are divided into groups, the VUS designation itself is a multi-digit number (for example, VUS-250400).

Possible list of military specialties

Apparently, there are no open sources containing the decoding of the codes of all currently operating VUS: the VUS catalog is a document of the Russian Ministry of Defense with a “Secret” degree of secrecy.

The first three digits of the VUS of warrant officers, sergeants, foremen and soldiers indicate specialization (VUS code), for example:

100 - rifle
101 - snipers
102 - grenade launchers
106 - military intelligence
107 - units and divisions of Special Forces
122 - BMD
461 - HF radio stations
998 - not having military training, fit for military service
999 - the same, only RESTRICTLY fit for military service, etc.

The next three digits indicate the position (position code):

97 - ZKV
182 - KO
259 - MV
001 - battery man, etc.

The letter at the end indicates "special signs of service":

A - having none
B - missile weapons specialists
D - Airborne Forces
K - crew of surface ships
M - MP
P - V.v.
R - PV (FPS)
S - Ministry of Emergency Situations (?)
T - construction units and subdivisions
F - SpN, etc.
E - Flight personnel for ensigns, sergeants, soldiers

4. How many times did you jump? Usually you will hear mind-blowing numbers of 30-40-50, and maybe 100 jumps. “The annual norm for a conscript soldier is 12 jumps, 6 in each training period. In general, parachute training is a prerequisite for service in the Airborne Forces. Everyone is landing - from the general to the private, ”- an interview with Shamanov. Who is not in the know, Vladimir Shamanov Commander of the Airborne Forces and Colonel General. Even in the USSR, jumping more than 20 times for military service was problematic. Because a soldier took up guard duties (this is when a man with a gun guards Guba, warehouses and parks with equipment), went to outfits in the park (where the equipment is), finally to outfit in the dining room (where he peeled potatoes, set the table and washed dishes), stood “on the bedside table” (attire for the company), and so on ... In the army, self-service, the soldier did everything himself and to make the jump, no one released him. Of course, there were sports companies in the army. These are free units, where soldiers mainly train and perform for the unit. For example, where I served, there was a "squadron". Conscripts are skydivers who only jumped and competed. But this is a separate caste, they even went in a peculiar form, officer overcoats and epaulettes of conscripts. The beginnings of a contract army. I am not talking about contract sergeants and ensigns. They were already professional soldiers then. But an ordinary paratrooper did not jump very much. Just like now. Only “for demobilization” could buy a “nauseous” (badge parachutist in the form of a dome with a pendant in the form of numbers according to the number of jumps) with a large number of jumps.

5. Did you jump in combat? Many fake paratroopers do not know that the Airborne Forces and all kinds of special forces can jump in several ways.

Here are the simplest ones:

Without weapons and RD (Paratrooper Backpack)

With RD and weapons in the transport position. Automatic, SVD and even RPG, in a special transport case, "screwed" behind the back of a dashing landing.

With RD and GK (Cargo Container)

With weapons "in combat", on the chest under the chest jumper of the suspension system. Allows you to fire while descending on a parachute, directly from the sky.

Then there are night ones, on the forest, on the water, high-rise and so on. Only inside the equipment no one jumps, although this option has been worked out for war. The son of the legendary founder of the Airborne Forces Vasily Margelov, Alexander Margelov, back in 1973 made a parachute jump inside the BMD-1. For this feat, he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia, after 20 years ... Since then, more than 110 people have jumped inside the equipment, but these are testers. An ordinary paratrooper who will tell you about this, just pi ....!

6. Did you jump with the ISS? For reference, the MKS is a multi-dome system for landing equipment, for example MKS-5-760. A person just can't jump with this crap. But I met Landing Forces who claimed that they jumped with her ... In the Airborne Forces, they jump mainly with parachutes: D-1-8 is the oldest parachute, created back in 1959. This parachute has the main advantage, the dome cover clings through an extension halyard to an airplane or helicopter. The paratrooper doesn't even have a ring. Led to the hatch, gave a kick in the ass. Then everything works automatically without any devices. This is the perfect parachute for the first jump. 300% guarantee, the main thing when laying is not to twist the lines. D-1-5U is the oldest controlled parachute. D-6 and all its modifications. You have seen this dome in most films about the Airborne Forces. The paratroopers fly for some time on a stabilizing small canopy. The same canopy extends the main canopy of the parachute, if you pull the ring or when the safety device of the PPK-U type is triggered. PPK-U - Semiautomatic Parachute Combined Unified (device) - designed to open the parachute pack (after a certain period of time at a certain height). Now they plan to put D-10 in the troops. PSN - Special Purpose Parachute. I jumped from PSN-71, it is more manageable. It has rolls for better handling (which we were forbidden to uncheck) and locks on the suspension system. When landing, you can immediately unfasten the dome. For example, in the wind, when jumping into the water or in battle. It was created for the GRU Spetsnaz and reconnaissance units of the Airborne Forces. Software - Planning Shell. These are the same rectangular “wings” or “mattresses” on which all athletes now jump. From PO-9, from the times of the USSR, to modern PO-16, PO-17 and the famous "Crossbows". A conscript has never jumped with such domes!

7. And finally, what is "Razor - smile"? Or were you shaved with a smile? This is a flexible hairpin from the same PPK-U device. In the Airborne Forces and civilian paratroopers, the most fashionable keychain and souvenir. On the neck, on the keys and so on. The hairpin, when unbent, specifically clings to the hairs, no worse than an epilator. In the army, it is used as a punishment for negligent fighters, and just "for fun." Airborne humor, I shaved with a smile. Have you been shaved with a smile? Understandable only to paratroopers.

In principle, there is still a lot of information that only those who served in the Airborne Forces can know. But I think that what I wrote will be enough to identify fake paratroopers who dishonor the glorious name of Uncle Vasya's Troops. Vasily Margelov is the founder of the Airborne Forces and the father of all paratroopers!

Happy Airborne Forces Day to all real paratroopers!
Nobody except us!

I work as a fitness instructor. I have a professional education and 25 years of coaching experience. I help people lose weight or gain muscle mass and stay healthy at the same time. I conduct training via the Internet or in the Mamba fitness club in the city of Rostov-on-Don.

The Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation is a separate branch of the Russian armed forces, located in the reserve of the Commander-in-Chief of the country and directly subordinate to the Commander of the Airborne Forces. At the moment, this position is held (since October 2016) by Colonel General Serdyukov.

The purpose of the airborne troops is operations behind enemy lines, carrying out deep raids, capturing important enemy facilities, bridgeheads, disrupting enemy communications and enemy control, and conducting sabotage in his rear. The Airborne Forces were created primarily as an effective tool for offensive warfare. To cover the enemy and operate in his rear, the Airborne Forces can use landing - both parachute and landing.

The airborne troops are rightfully considered the elite of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, in order to get into this branch of the troops, candidates must meet very high criteria. First of all, it concerns physical health and psychological stability. And this is natural: the paratroopers carry out their tasks behind enemy lines, without the support of their main forces, the supply of ammunition and the evacuation of the wounded.

The Soviet Airborne Forces were created in the 30s, the further development of this type of troops was rapid: by the beginning of the war, five airborne corps were deployed in the USSR, with a strength of 10 thousand people each. The USSR Airborne Forces played an important role in the victory over the Nazi invaders. The paratroopers actively participated in the Afghan war. The Russian airborne troops were officially created on May 12, 1992, they went through both Chechen campaigns, participated in the war with Georgia in 2008.

The flag of the Airborne Forces is a blue panel with a green stripe at the bottom. In its center is an image of an open golden parachute and two planes of the same color. The flag was officially approved in 2004.

In addition to the flag, there is also the emblem of this type of troops. This is a flaming golden-colored grenada with two wings. There is also a medium and large airborne emblem. The middle emblem depicts a double-headed eagle with a crown on its head and a shield with George the Victorious in the center. In one paw, the eagle holds a sword, and in the other, a flaming grenada of the Airborne Forces. On the large emblem, grenada is placed on a blue heraldic shield framed by an oak wreath. In its upper part is a double-headed eagle.

In addition to the emblem and flag of the Airborne Forces, there is also the motto of the Airborne Forces: "No one but us." The paratroopers even have their own heavenly patron - Saint Elijah.

The professional holiday of the paratroopers is the Day of the Airborne Forces. It is celebrated on August 2nd. On this day in 1930, the first parachute landing of a unit was made to perform a combat mission. On August 2, Airborne Forces Day is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The airborne troops of Russia are armed with both conventional types of military equipment and models developed specifically for this type of troops, taking into account the specifics of its tasks.

It is difficult to name the exact number of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation, this information is secret. However, according to unofficial data obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense, it is about 45 thousand fighters. Foreign estimates of the number of this type of troops are somewhat more modest - 36 thousand people.

The history of the creation of the Airborne Forces

The birthplace of the Airborne Forces is the Soviet Union. It was in the USSR that the first airborne unit was created, this happened in 1930. First, a small detachment appeared, which was part of an ordinary rifle division. On August 2, the first parachute landing was successfully carried out during exercises at the training ground near Voronezh.

However, the first use of paratroopers in military affairs occurred even earlier, in 1929. During the siege of the Tajik city of Garm by anti-Soviet rebels, a detachment of Red Army soldiers was parachuted there, which made it possible to unblock the settlement as soon as possible.

Two years later, a special purpose brigade was formed on the basis of the detachment, and in 1938 it was renamed the 201st Airborne Brigade. In 1932, by decision of the Revolutionary Military Council, special-purpose aviation battalions were created, in 1933 their number reached 29 units. They were part of the Air Force, and their main task was to disorganize the rear of the enemy and carry out sabotage.

It should be noted that the development of the landing troops in the Soviet Union was very rapid and rapid. No expense was spared on them. In the 30s, the country experienced a real parachute boom, skydiving towers were in almost every stadium.

During the exercises of the Kyiv military district in 1935, a mass parachute landing was practiced for the first time. The following year, an even more massive landing was carried out in the Belarusian military district. Foreign military observers invited to the exercises were amazed at the scale of the landings and the skill of the Soviet paratroopers.

Before the start of the war, airborne corps were created in the USSR, each of them included up to 10 thousand fighters. In April 1941, by order of the Soviet military leadership, five airborne corps were deployed in the western regions of the country, after the German attack (in August 1941), the formation of five more airborne corps began. A few days before the German invasion (June 12), the Directorate of the Airborne Forces was created, and in September 1941, the paratrooper units were withdrawn from the command of the fronts. Each corps of the Airborne Forces was a very formidable force: in addition to well-trained personnel, it was armed with artillery and light amphibious tanks.

In addition to the landing corps, the Red Army also included mobile landing brigades (five units), spare regiments of the Airborne Forces (five units) and educational institutions that trained paratroopers.

The Airborne Forces made a significant contribution to the victory over the Nazi invaders. The airborne units played a particularly important role in the initial - the most difficult - period of the war. Despite the fact that the airborne troops are intended for offensive operations and have a minimum of heavy weapons (compared to other branches of the military), at the beginning of the war, paratroopers were often used to “patch holes”: in defense, to eliminate sudden German breakthroughs, to release of the encircled Soviet troops. Because of this practice, the paratroopers suffered unreasonably high losses, and the effectiveness of their use decreased. Often, the preparation of landing operations left much to be desired.

Airborne units took part in the defense of Moscow, as well as in the subsequent counteroffensive. The 4th Corps of the Airborne Forces was parachuted in the winter of 1942 during the Vyazemsky landing operation. In 1943, during the crossing of the Dnieper, two airborne brigades were thrown behind enemy lines. Another major landing operation was carried out in Manchuria in August 1945. In its course, 4,000 fighters were parachuted by landing.

In October 1944, the Soviet Airborne Forces were transformed into a separate Guards Army of the Airborne Forces, and in December of the same year, into the 9th Guards Army. Airborne divisions have become ordinary rifle divisions. At the end of the war, the paratroopers took part in the liberation of Budapest, Prague, and Vienna. The 9th Guards Army ended its glorious military career on the Elbe.

In 1946, the landing units were introduced into the Ground Forces and were subordinate to the country's Minister of Defense.

In 1956, Soviet paratroopers participated in the suppression of the Hungarian uprising, and in the mid-60s they played a key role in pacifying another country that wanted to leave the socialist camp - Czechoslovakia.

After the end of the war, the world entered the era of confrontation between the two superpowers - the USSR and the USA. The plans of the Soviet leadership were by no means limited only to defense, so the airborne troops developed especially actively during this period. Emphasis was placed on increasing the firepower of the Airborne Forces. For this, a whole range of airborne equipment was developed, including armored vehicles, artillery systems, and road transport. The fleet of military transport aircraft was significantly increased. In the 1970s, large-capacity wide-body transport aircraft were created, which made it possible to transport not only personnel, but also heavy military equipment. By the end of the 80s, the state of the military transport aviation of the USSR was such that it could ensure the parachute drop of almost 75% of the personnel of the Airborne Forces in one sortie.

At the end of the 60s, a new type of units that were part of the Airborne Forces was created - airborne assault units (DShCH). They were not much different from the rest of the Airborne Forces, but they were subordinate to the command of groups of troops, armies or corps. The reason for the creation of the DShCh was a change in the tactical plans prepared by Soviet strategists in the event of a full-scale war. After the start of the conflict, it was planned to “break” the enemy defenses with the help of massive landings landed in the immediate rear of the enemy.

In the mid-1980s, the USSR Ground Forces included 14 air assault brigades, 20 battalions and 22 separate air assault regiments.

In 1979, the war in Afghanistan began, and the Soviet Airborne Forces took an active part in it. During this conflict, the paratroopers had to engage in counter-guerrilla struggle, of course, there was no talk of any parachute landing. The delivery of personnel to the place of military operations took place with the help of armored vehicles or vehicles, landing by landing method from helicopters was less often used.

The paratroopers were often used to guard the numerous outposts and roadblocks scattered throughout the country. Typically, airborne units performed missions more suited to motorized rifle units.

It should be noted that in Afghanistan, the paratroopers used military equipment of the ground forces, which was more suitable for the harsh conditions of this country than their own. Also, parts of the Airborne Forces in Afghanistan were reinforced with additional artillery and tank units.

After the collapse of the USSR, the division of its armed forces began. These processes also affected the paratroopers. They were able to finally divide the Airborne Forces only by 1992, after which the Russian Airborne Forces were created. They included all units that were located on the territory of the RSFSR, as well as part of the divisions and brigades that were previously located in other republics of the USSR.

In 1993, the Russian Airborne Forces included six divisions, six air assault brigades and two regiments. In 1994, in Kubinka near Moscow, on the basis of two battalions, the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces (the so-called special forces of the Airborne Forces) was created.

The 1990s became a serious test for the Russian landing troops (as well as for the entire army, by the way). The number of the Airborne Forces was seriously reduced, some of the units were disbanded, the paratroopers became subordinate to the Ground Forces. Army aviation was transferred to the Air Force, which significantly worsened the mobility of the Airborne Forces.

The airborne troops of the Russian Federation took part in both Chechen campaigns, in 2008 the paratroopers were involved in the Ossetian conflict. The Airborne Forces have repeatedly taken part in peacekeeping operations (for example, in the former Yugoslavia). Airborne units regularly participate in international exercises, they guard Russian military bases abroad (Kyrgyzstan).

The structure and composition of the airborne troops of the Russian Federation

Currently, the Russian Airborne Forces consist of command and control structures, combat units and units, as well as various institutions that provide them.

Structurally, the Airborne Forces have three main components:

• Airborne. It includes all airborne units.
• Air assault. Consists of air assault units.
• Mountain. It includes air assault units designed to operate in mountainous areas.

At the moment, the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation include four divisions, as well as separate brigades and regiments. Airborne troops, composition:

• 76th Guards Air Assault Division, stationed in Pskov.
• 98th Guards Airborne Division, located in Ivanovo.
• 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division, stationed in Novorossiysk.
• 106th Guards Airborne Division - Tula.

Regiments and brigades of the Airborne Forces:

• 11th Separate Guards Airborne Brigade, stationed in the city of Ulan-Ude.
• 45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Brigade (Moscow).
• 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Place of deployment - the city of Kamyshin.
• 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Based in Ulyanovsk.
• 83rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade. Location - Ussuriysk.
• 38th Separate Guards Communications Regiment of the Airborne Forces. Located in the Moscow region, in the village of Medvezhye Ozera.

In 2013, the creation of the 345th Airborne Assault Brigade in Voronezh was officially announced, but then the formation of the unit was postponed to a later date (2017 or 2019). There is information that in 2019 an airborne assault battalion will be deployed on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, and in the future, a regiment of the 7th airborne assault division, which is currently deployed in Novorossiysk, will be formed on its basis.

In addition to combat units, the Russian Airborne Forces also include educational institutions that train personnel for the Airborne Forces. The main and most famous of them is the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, which, among other things, trains officers for the Russian Airborne Forces. Also, the structure of this type of troops includes two Suvorov schools (in Tula and Ulyanovsk), the Omsk Cadet Corps and the 242nd training center located in Omsk.

Armament and equipment of the Russian Airborne Forces

The airborne troops of the Russian Federation use both combined arms equipment and samples that were created specifically for this type of troops. Most types of weapons and military equipment of the Airborne Forces were developed and manufactured back in the Soviet period, but there are also more modern models created in modern times.

The most popular models of airborne armored vehicles at present are the airborne combat vehicles BMD-1 (about 100 units) and BMD-2M (about 1 thousand units). Both of these vehicles were produced back in the Soviet Union (BMD-1 in 1968, BMD-2 in 1985). They can be used for landing both by landing and by parachute. These are reliable vehicles that have been tested in many armed conflicts, but they are clearly outdated, both morally and physically. This is openly stated even by representatives of the top leadership of the Russian army, which was put into service in 2004. However, its production is slow, today there are 30 BMP-4s and 12 BMP-4Ms in service.

Also, the airborne units are armed with a small number of BTR-82A and BTR-82AM armored personnel carriers (12 pieces), as well as the Soviet BTR-80. The most numerous armored personnel carrier currently used by the Russian Airborne Forces is the tracked BTR-D (more than 700 pieces). It was put into service in 1974 and is very outdated. It should be replaced by the BTR-MDM "Shell", but so far its production is moving very slowly: today in combat units there are from 12 to 30 (according to various sources) "Shells".

The anti-tank weapons of the Airborne Forces are represented by the 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled anti-tank gun (36 units), BTR-RD Robot self-propelled anti-tank systems (more than 100 units) and a wide range of different anti-tank systems: Metis, Fagot, Konkurs and "Cornet".

The Russian Airborne Forces are also armed with self-propelled and towed artillery: Nona self-propelled guns (250 pieces and several hundred more units in storage), D-30 howitzer (150 units), and Nona-M1 mortars (50 units) and "Tray" (150 units).

The air defense means of the Airborne Forces consist of portable missile systems (various modifications of the Needles and Willow), as well as the Strela short-range air defense system. Special attention should be paid to the newest Russian MANPADS "Verba", which was only recently put into service and now it has been put into trial operation in only a few units of the RF Armed Forces, including the 98th Airborne Division.

The Airborne Forces also operate self-propelled anti-aircraft guns BTR-ZD "Skrezhet" (150 units) of Soviet production and towed anti-aircraft guns ZU-23-2.

In recent years, new samples of automotive equipment have begun to enter the Airborne Forces, of which the Tiger armored car, the A-1 Snowmobile all-terrain vehicle and the KAMAZ-43501 truck should be noted.

The airborne troops are sufficiently equipped with communication, control and electronic warfare systems. Among them, modern Russian developments should be noted: electronic warfare systems "Leer-2" and "Leer-3", "Infauna", the control system for air defense systems "Barnaul", automated command and control systems "Andromeda-D" and "Flight-K".

The Airborne Forces are armed with a wide range of small arms, among which there are both Soviet models and newer Russian developments. The latter include the Yarygin pistol, the PMM, and the PSS silent pistol. The main personal weapon of the fighters remains the Soviet AK-74 assault rifle, but deliveries of the more advanced AK-74M to the troops have already begun. To carry out sabotage missions, paratroopers can use the Russian-made Val Orlan-10 silent assault rifle. The exact number of Orlans in service with the Airborne Forces is unknown.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

Today, Russian paratroopers and veterans of the Russian Airborne Forces celebrate their professional holiday.

The history of our Airborne Troops began on August 2, 1930. On this day, at the exercises of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District, which were held near Voronezh, 12 people were parachuted from the air as part of a special unit. The experiment showed the enormous possibilities and prospects of the parachute units.

From that moment on, the rapid development of new troops in the USSR, in its tasks for 1931, the Revolutionary Military Council of the Red Army determines: "... airborne operations must be comprehensively studied from the technical and tactical side by the Headquarters of the Red Army in order to develop and send out appropriate instructions to the places." Which is what was done.

In 1931, an airborne landing detachment was formed in the Leningrad Military District, numbering 164 people. For landing, they use the TB-3& aircraft, which took on board 35 paratroopers, and on the external suspension - either a light tank, or an armored car, or two 76 mm cannons. The idea was verified by experiment.

On December 11, 1932, the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR adopted a resolution on the creation of mass Airborne Troops. On the basis of the airborne detachment of the Leningrad Military District, which has been landing all year, an entire brigade is being formed. The main task is the training of paratrooper instructors, plus the development of operational and tactical standards. By March 1933, the instructors were trained, the standards were calculated, and in the Belarusian, Ukrainian, Moscow and Volga military districts they began to form special-purpose aviation battalions.

For the first time, the release of a massive parachute landing in the presence of foreign delegations was carried out at maneuvers in the Kiev military district in September 1935. 1200 specially trained military personnel landed, who quickly captured the airfield. This impressed the observers. At the next major exercise in the Belarusian military district, 1,800 paratroopers were already dropped. This impressed the German military observers, including Goering. who was on topic. In the spring of that year, he gave the order to form the first German airborne regiment. The experience of the Soviet Airborne Forces was appreciated from the very beginning according to its merits abroad.

Soon, the troops, who first appeared in the composition of our armed forces, will have the opportunity to test their capabilities in real combat conditions. In 1939, the 212th Airborne Brigade took part in the battles with Japanese troops on the Khalkhin Gol River. During the Soviet-Finnish war (1939-1940), the 201st, 204th and 214th airborne brigades fought.

By the summer of 1941, five airborne corps each numbering 10,000 people were being completed. With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, all five airborne corps participate in fierce battles on the territory of Latvia, Belarus, and Ukraine. During the counter-offensive near Moscow in early 1942, the Vyazemsky airborne operation took place with the landing of the 4th airborne corps. This is the largest operation of the Airborne Forces during the war years. In total, about 10 thousand paratroopers were dropped behind German lines.

During the war years, all airborne formations receive the rank of guards. 296 paratroopers - the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Based on the experience of the war in 1946, the Airborne Forces are withdrawn from the Air Force and included in the reserve troops of the Supreme High Command and directly subordinate to the Minister of the USSR Armed Forces. At the same time, the post of commander of the Airborne Forces of the USSR Armed Forces was established.

The first commander of the Airborne Forces is Colonel General V.V. Glagolev.

In 1954, V.F. became the commander of the Airborne Forces. Margelov (1909-1990), who remains in this position with a short break until 1979. An entire epoch in the history of Russian airborne troops is associated with the name of Margelov; it is not for nothing that the Airborne Forces received the unofficial name "Uncle Vasya's Troops".

In the 1950s, during the exercises of airborne units, special attention was paid to new methods of defense behind enemy lines, to airborne operations in the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons. Parts of the Airborne Forces begin to receive heavy weapons - artillery installations (ASU-76, ASU-57, ASU-85), tracked airborne combat vehicles (BMD-1, BMD-2). Military transport aviation is equipped with An-12, An-22 aircraft, which were able to deliver armored vehicles, vehicles, artillery, and ammunition behind enemy lines. On January 5, 1973, for the first time in history, a caterpillar BMD-1 with two crew members on board was parachuted from the An-12B military transport aircraft on parachute-platform means in the Centaur complex. The crew commander is the son of Vasily Filippovich Margelov, Senior Lieutenant Alexander Margelov, the driver is Lieutenant Colonel Zuev Leonid Gavrilovich.

The Airborne Forces take part in the Czechoslovak events of 1968. Parts of the 7th and 103rd Guards Airborne Divisions captured and blocked the airfields of Ruzin (near Prague) and the city of Brno, paratroopers prepared them to receive military transport aircraft. Two hours later, paratroopers capture four bridges across the Vltava, the building of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, publishing houses, the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the main post office, the television center, banks and other important objects in Prague. This happens without firing a shot.

In the future, units of the Airborne Forces participate in the war in Afghanistan, military conflicts in the territory of the former USSR - Chechnya, Karabakh, South and North Ossetia, in Osh, Transnistria and in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz confrontation. Two airborne battalions perform tasks

UN Peacekeeping Forces in Yugoslavia.

Now the Airborne Forces are one of the most combat-ready units of the Russian Army. They form the backbone of the Special Operations Forces. The ranks of the Airborne Forces number about 35 thousand soldiers and officers.

World experience

The US Airborne Forces have a rich tradition and great combat experience. Unlike Russia, the Airborne Forces in the United States are not a separate branch of the military; the Americans consider the Airborne Forces as a special component of the ground forces. Organizationally, the US Airborne Forces are united in the 18th Airborne Corps, which also includes tank, motorized infantry, and aviation units. The corps was formed in 1944 in the British Isles and took part in the fighting in Western Europe. Formations and units from its composition participated in the hostilities in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The corps currently consists of four divisions and a variety of support units and units. The total number of personnel is 88 thousand people. Corps Headquarters is at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

UK Airborne Forces

In the British Army, the Airborne Forces also do not form a separate branch of the military, but are part of the Ground Forces.

To date, the British Armed Forces have one - the 16th Air Assault Brigade as part of the 5th Division of the British Army. It was formed on September 1, 1999, including units of the 5th Airborne Brigade and the 24th Airborne Brigade. It consists of airborne, infantry, artillery, medical and engineering units.

The main emphasis in the British military doctrine of the use of the Airborne Forces is on airborne assault with the support of helicopter units.

The brigade inherited its name from the 1st and 6th airborne divisions, during the Second World War. The Attack Eagle emblem was borrowed from the Special Training Center located in Lohilot, Scotland.

The 16th brigade is the main strike unit of the British Army, so it takes part in all military operations conducted by the UK: Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Iraq, Afghanistan.

The brigade has a strength of 8,000 personnel, making it the largest of all British Army brigades.

Airborne Forces of France

The French Airborne Forces are part of the Ground Forces and are represented by the 11th Parachute Division. The division is divided into two brigades and consists of seven units, corresponding to the size of the battalion: the 1st Parachute Regiment of the Marine Corps, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment of the Foreign Legion, the 1st and 9th Regiments of Parachute Commandos (light infantry) , 3rd, 6th, and 8th Marine Parachute Regiments.

The division headquarters is located in Tarbes, in the province of Hautes-Pyrenees. The personnel consists of about 11,000 people.

French paratroopers participated in all recent French military conflicts from the war in Indochina to the peacekeeping operation in Mali.

Airborne Forces of Germany

German paratroopers form the basis of the special operations forces of the Bundeswehr. Organizationally, the airborne troops are represented in the form of a Special Operations Division with headquarters in Regensburg. The Division includes: a special-purpose detachment of the KSK (“Kommando Spezialkrafte”), formed on the basis of the former 25th paratrooper brigade; 26th Airborne Brigade; 31st Airborne Brigade; and the 4th command and communications regiment; anti-aircraft missile battery; 310th separate reconnaissance company; 200th reconnaissance and sabotage company. The staff consists of 8 thousand people.

The paratroopers of the Bundeswehr take an active part in all peacekeeping and military operations of the UN and NATO, conducted recently.

Airborne Forces of China

In China, the airborne troops are part of the Air Force. They are consolidated into the 15th Airborne Corps (headquarters in Xiaogan, Hubei Province), which consists of three airborne divisions - the 43rd (Kaifeng, Hubei Province), the 44th (Inshan, Hubei Province) and 45th (Huangpi, Hubei Province).

At present, according to various estimates, the airborne troops of the PLA Air Force number from 24,000 to 30,000 personnel.

On the basis of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 31, 2006 "On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" as a memorable day designed to promote the revival and development of domestic military traditions, increase the prestige of military service and established in recognition of the merits of military specialists in solving the problems of ensuring the defense and security of the state.

In 1994-1996 and 1999-2004, all formations and military units of the Airborne Forces participated in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic, in August 2008, the military units of the Airborne Forces took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace, operating in the Ossetian and Abkhaz directions.
On the basis of the Airborne Forces, the first Russian battalion of UN peacekeeping forces in Yugoslavia (1992), peacekeeping contingents in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995), in Kosovo and Metohija (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 1999) were formed.

Since 2005, according to their specialization, airborne units have been subdivided into airborne, airborne assault and mountain. The first includes the 98th Guards Airborne Division and the 106th Guards Airborne Division of two regiments, the second - the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division of two regiments and the 31st Guards Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of three battalions, to the third is the 7th Guards Air Assault Division (mountain).
Two formations of the Airborne Forces (98th Guards Airborne Division and 31st Guards Separate Airborne Assault Brigade) are part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
At the end of 2009, in each division of the Airborne Forces, separate anti-aircraft missile regiments were formed on the basis of separate anti-aircraft missile artillery divisions. At the initial stage, the air defense systems of the Ground Forces entered service, which will later be replaced by airborne systems.
According to information for 2012, the total number of Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation is about 30 thousand people. The Airborne Forces include four divisions, the 31st separate airborne brigade, the 45th separate special-purpose regiment, the 242nd training center and other units.

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

The history of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) began in the late 1920s. last century. In April 1929, near the village of Garm (the territory of the present Republic of Tajikistan), a group of Red Army soldiers landed on several planes, which, with the support of local residents, defeated a detachment of Basmachi.

On August 2, 1930, at the exercise of the Air Force (VVS) of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, for the first time, a small unit of 12 people parachuted to perform a tactical mission. This date is officially considered to be the "birthday" of the Airborne Forces.

In 1931, in the Leningrad Military District (LenVO), as part of the 1st air brigade, an experienced airborne assault detachment of 164 people was created, designed for landing by landing method. Then, in the same air brigade, an emergency paratrooper detachment was formed. In August and September 1931, at the exercises of the Leningrad and Ukrainian military districts, the detachment landed and performed tactical tasks in the enemy's simulated rear. In 1932, the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR adopted a resolution on the deployment of detachments into special aviation battalions. By the end of 1933, there were already 29 airborne battalions and brigades that were part of the Air Force. The LenVO was entrusted with the task of training airborne instructors and developing operational and tactical standards.

In 1934, 600 paratroopers were involved in the exercises of the Red Army; in 1935, during the maneuvers of the Kyiv military district, 1188 paratroopers were parachuted. In 1936, 3,000 paratroopers were parachuted into the Byelorussian Military District, 8,200 people with artillery and other military equipment were landed by landing method.

Improving their training in the exercises, the paratroopers gained experience in real battles. In 1939, the 212th Airborne Brigade (Vdbr) took part in the defeat of the Japanese at Khalkhin Gol. For their courage and heroism, 352 paratroopers were awarded orders and medals. In 1939-1940, during the Soviet-Finnish war, the 201st, 202nd and 214th airborne brigade fought together with rifle units.

Based on the experience gained in 1940, new staffs of brigades were approved as part of three combat groups: parachute, glider and landing. Since March 1941, airborne corps (VDK) of brigade composition (3 brigades per corps) began to form in the Airborne Forces. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the recruitment of five corps was completed, but only with personnel due to the insufficient amount of military equipment.

The main weapons of the airborne formations and units were mainly light and heavy machine guns, 50- and 82-mm mortars, 45-mm anti-tank and 76-mm mountain guns, light tanks (T-40 and T-38), flamethrowers. The personnel made parachute jumps of the PD-6 type, and then the PD-41.

Small cargoes landed in airborne soft bags. Heavy equipment was delivered to the landing force on special suspensions under the aircraft fuselages. For the landing, mainly bombers TB-3, DB-3 and passenger aircraft PS-84 were used.

The beginning of the Great Patriotic War found the airborne corps stationed in the Baltic States, Belarus and Ukraine in the process of formation. The difficult situation that developed in the first days of the war forced the Soviet command to use these corps in combat operations as rifle formations.

On September 4, 1941, the Directorate of the Airborne Forces was transformed into the Directorate of the Commander of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army, and the airborne corps was withdrawn from the active fronts and transferred to the direct subordination of the Commander of the Airborne Forces.

In the counteroffensive near Moscow, conditions were created for the widespread use of the Airborne Forces. In the winter of 1942, the Vyazemsky airborne operation was carried out with the participation of the 4th Airborne Command. In September 1943, an airborne assault consisting of two brigades was used to assist the troops of the Voronezh Front in forcing the Dnieper River. In the Manchurian strategic operation in August 1945, more than 4 thousand people of the personnel of rifle units were landed for landing operations by landing method, who successfully completed the assigned tasks.

In October 1944, the Airborne Forces were transformed into a separate Guards Airborne Army, which became part of the long-range aviation. In December 1944, this army was disbanded, the Airborne Forces Directorate was created with subordination to the Air Force Commander. As part of the Airborne Forces, three airborne brigade, a training airborne regiment (airborne regiment), advanced training courses for officers and an aeronautical division remained.

For the mass heroism of the paratroopers during the Great Patriotic War, all airborne formations were given the honorary title of "Guards". Thousands of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Airborne Forces were awarded orders and medals, 296 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

In 1964, the Airborne Forces were transferred to the Ground Forces with their direct subordination to the Minister of Defense of the USSR. After the war, along with organizational changes, the rearmament of the troops took place: the number of automatic small arms, artillery, mortars, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons increased in the formations. The Airborne Forces were armed with tracked amphibious assault vehicles (BMD-1), airborne self-propelled artillery mounts (ASU-57 and SU-85), 85- and 122-mm guns, rocket launchers and other weapons. For landing, military transport aircraft An-12, An-22 and Il-76 were created. At the same time, special airborne equipment was being developed.

In 1956, two airborne divisions (airborne divisions) took part in the Hungarian events. In 1968, after the capture of two airfields near Prague and Bratislava, the 7th and 103rd Guards (Guards) Airborne Forces were landed, which ensured the successful completion of the task by formations and units of the United Armed Forces of the countries participating in the Warsaw Pact during the Czechoslovak events.

In 1979-1989 The Airborne Forces participated in the hostilities as part of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan. For courage and heroism, more than 30 thousand paratroopers were awarded orders and medals, and 16 people became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

Starting from 1979, in addition to the three air assault brigades, several air assault brigades and separate battalions were formed in the military districts, which entered the combat formation of the Airborne Forces by 1989.

Since 1988, formations and military units of the Airborne Forces have constantly performed various special tasks to resolve interethnic conflicts on the territory of the USSR.

In 1992, the Airborne Forces ensured the evacuation of the Russian embassy from Kabul (Democratic Republic of Afghanistan). On the basis of the Airborne Forces, the first Russian battalion of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Yugoslavia was formed. From 1992 to 1998, the PDP carried out peacekeeping missions in the Republic of Abkhazia.

In 1994-1996 and 1999-2004. all formations and military units of the Airborne Forces participated in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic. For courage and heroism, 89 paratroopers were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1995, on the basis of airborne units, peacekeeping contingents were formed in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in 1999 - in Kosovo and Metohija (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). The 10th anniversary of the unprecedented march of the parachute battalion was celebrated in 2009.

By the end of the 1990s. four airborne divisions, an airborne brigade, a training center and support units remained in the airborne forces.

Since 2005, three components have been formed in the Airborne Forces:

• airborne (main) - 98th Guards. airborne division and 106th guards airborne division of the 2nd regiment;
• air assault - 76th Guards. airborne assault division (dshd) of the 2nd regiment and the 31st guards separate airborne assault brigade (odshbr) of the 3rd battalion;
• mountain - 7th Guards. dshd (mountain).

The airborne units receive modern armored weapons and equipment (BMD-4, BTR-MD armored personnel carrier, KamAZ vehicles).

Since 2005, units of formations and military units of the Airborne Forces have been actively participating in joint exercises with units of the armed forces of Armenia, Belarus, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, China, and Uzbekistan.

In August 2008, military units of the Airborne Forces took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace, operating in the Ossetian and Abkhaz directions.

Two units of the Airborne Forces (98th Guards Airborne Division and 31st Guards Airborne Brigade) are part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CRRF CSTO).

At the end of 2009, in each division of the Airborne Forces, separate anti-aircraft missile regiments were formed on the basis of separate anti-aircraft missile artillery divisions. At the initial stage, the air defense systems of the Ground Forces entered service, which will later be replaced by airborne systems.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 11, 2013 No. 776, the Airborne Forces included three airborne assault brigades stationed in Ussuriysk, Ulan-Ude and Kamyshin, formerly part of the Eastern and Southern military districts.

In 2015, the Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) was adopted by the Airborne Forces. Deliveries of the latest air defense systems are carried out in kits, including the Verba MANPADS and the Barnaul-T automated control system.

In April 2016, the airborne combat vehicle BMD-4M "Sadovnitsa" and the armored personnel carrier BTR-MDM "Rakushka" were adopted by the Airborne Forces. The machines have successfully passed the tests and showed themselves well in the course of military operation. 106 Airborne Division became the first formation in the Airborne Forces, which began to receive new serial military equipment.

The commanders of the Airborne Forces in different years were:

• Lieutenant General V. A. Glazunov (1941-1943);
• Major General A. G. Kapitokhin (1943-1944);
• Lieutenant General I. I. Zatevakhin (1944-1946);
• Colonel General V. V. Glagolev (1946-1947);
• Lieutenant General A.F. Kazankin (1947-1948);
• Colonel-General of Aviation S. I. Rudenko (1948-1950);
• Colonel General A. V. Gorbatov (1950-1954);
• Army General V.F. Margelov (1954-1959, 1961-1979);
• Colonel General I. V. Tutarinov (1959-1961);
• Army General D.S. Sukhorukov (1979-1987);
• Colonel General N. V. Kalinin (1987-1989);
• Colonel General V. A. Achalov (1989);
• Lieutenant General P. S. Grachev (1989-1991);
• Colonel General E. N. Podkolzin (1991-1996);
• Colonel General G. I. Shpak (1996-2003);
• Colonel General A.P. Kolmakov (2003-2007);
• Lieutenant General V. E. Evtukhovich (2007-2009);
• Colonel General V. A. Shamanov (2009-2016);
• Colonel General A. N. Serdyukov (since October 2016).