Air defense troops of the country. Air defense troops.

Air Defense Forces Day is celebrated annually in mid-April. The second Sunday of this month is marked by a spirit of celebration for the air defense forces. This day is saturated with solemnity and importance. Every military man and many civilians celebrate this celebration with their families, go to museums, attend concerts and performances on the subject. On this day, everything was done for the air defense troops, which emphasizes their importance in our life, which many people forget.

Anti-aircraft troops - troops that are necessary to defend against enemy attacks by air. Now they are defending political centers, important objects, industrial areas. This is closely related to naval, land and border defense. The goals and objectives that the command sets before them are, on the whole, very close.

Air defense components

Day of Air Defense is marked by a significant These include fighters, and radio engineering, missile and anti-aircraft units, military training units.

The guys from the anti-aircraft forces carry out daily radar escort on airplanes, guard the airspace on the border of our country in order to exclude the possibility of a sudden enemy appearing. Anti-aircraft troops are often referred to as "sky guards".

When the Air Defense Day was first celebrated

For the first time, it was decided to introduce the day of air defense back in the USSR. The government issued a decree in February that the day of the air defense forces would be celebrated in mid-spring. It is interesting that the USSR collapsed long ago, but the holiday is still celebrated in mid-April.

On this holiday, it will be optimal to purchase a gift of the corresponding theme. Attributes of anti-aircraft troops, souvenirs or any other military elements can be purchased at any military trade agency, both in ordinary stores and on online resources.

Air defense history

The first anti-aircraft troops were formed during the Russian Empire... They favorably showed their need for the First World War. Then they served in order to fight the airplanes of the attackers, and now the spectrum of their work is much wider.

It is interesting that in those days there were almost no weapons of anti-aircraft troops, the exceptions were light cannons and machine guns, which were clearly not enough.

Thanks to the efficiency and effectiveness of the air defense forces in battle and the defense of the country, it was possible to resolve many issues. However, in those days these were not yet formed battalions. Officially, they took shape in Soviet Russia.

The air defense forces had to show the maximum of their strength and effectiveness rather quickly - during the Great Patriotic War. They zealously defended Moscow and provided it with protection from the Luftwaffe, which significantly outnumbered them in weapons and numbers. Of course, the troops did not work alone, but with a whole group of other units, and however, hardly anyone can forget about their contribution to the victory.

The USSR Presidium many years later decided to encourage the military air defense. In 1975, he appointed them an official holiday - the day of the anti-aircraft forces of the USSR. This date became significant for every military man, because their work was not only noticed, but also celebrated.

Then the holiday was scheduled for April 11. Five years later, the question of which day of air defense is celebrated has become relevant. This was due to the fact that amendments were made to the decree and ordered to celebrate the celebration on the second Sunday in April. It is on this day that the military is honored now.

Education day

Air Defense Day is not only a professional holiday of this type of troops, which is celebrated by the military in the spring, it is also the anniversary of the formation of this type of troops.

The air defense troops first appeared on August 16, 1958. The initiator became the Chief appointed the Hero Soviet Union Kazakova V.I.

In 2007, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation issued a decree stating that the date of the formation of the anti-aircraft forces should be considered December 26. This date was not chosen by chance. It was on December 13, and according to the new style on December 26, that the formation of the military air defense began. The Commander-in-Chief became the initiator. It was then that the creation of separate light battalions began, which specialized in the defense of the air fleet.

Air defense now

Anti-aircraft troops have gone through a long history. They, as they say, have been in both fire and water, have experienced many changes, ups and downs. In spite of everything, Air Defense Day remains a relevant and demanded holiday even now.

The only thing that has changed is the Air Defense Day, when it is celebrated in Russia. Since 2006, a decree has been issued stating that the holiday is scheduled for the second Sunday in April.

How the holiday is celebrated

The celebration takes place in a cheerful atmosphere, honoring servicemen who give their debt to their homeland. Most often, the day of the air defense forces is accompanied by the presentation of letters and diplomas, which are celebrated

When air defense day comes in Russia, the population usually walks around the clock. Military units organize parades and solemn processions that emphasize the importance of this holiday. Many fighters go to their hometowns to meet with loved ones. However, even in this festive atmosphere- day of military air defense, soldiers are on guard. Many of them are on watch, guarding the border and airspace.

Many people still ask a question about the day of air defense, what date is the holiday celebrated. Actually exact date no. It changes from year to year. The second Sunday in April may fall on different dates, but this will not change the solemnity of such a holiday.

A holiday for veterans

Special attention is paid to veterans of the anti-aircraft troops on this day. In their honor, concerts and performances are organized, which are often represented by military ensembles and dance groups... Exhibitions are held in museums and other cultural institutions, where one can clearly see the importance of the air defense forces, get acquainted with the heroes of their time.

Honoring the dead is also important on such a day. Each of them performed an enormous amount of work. Someone died during the Great Patriotic War, and someone during the assignment already in our years. On such a day, the military and civilians carry flowers to the monuments and graves of the dead, thereby perpetuating the memory of them.

conclusions

Air Defense Day is a special holiday. It should be noted for its massiveness and scale. Perhaps many should make sure that young people learn about the heroes of our time and follow in their footsteps.

The government needs to encourage the troops with certificates of merit, certificates, diplomas and prizes, emphasizing their necessity for the country. In schools and universities, it is worth at least occasionally talking about these troops, showing memorable videos so that every schoolchild and student knows those who protect our peace.

Air Defense Day, when celebrated, helps to understand the importance of the army and military units in the life of each of the country's citizens. Air defense troops serve on borders and in the air, giving their lives, energy and time for the peace of civilians.

Included in Dislocation Participation in Commanders Notable commanders

Cm. Commanders.

Badge of honor "Air Defense Forces of the country"

Fighter-interceptor SU-15

Aircraft radio control and target designation (AWACS) A-50, 1988

Story

The origin of air defense in the Russian Empire

The development of air attack weapons necessitated the creation special means combating them, developing air defense measures to cover troops and rear facilities. By the beginning of 1914, the first 76-mm anti-aircraft cannon (designer Lender) was constructed in Russia, the reach, in height, of which was 5,000 meters. For firing at airplanes, cannons of the 1900 model of the year (1902) were also used with devices allowing the barrel to be elevated to 50-60 degrees and rotated around. In 1914, the first anti-aircraft batteries were created. The effectiveness of firing from anti-aircraft guns increased, but did not meet the requirements for a reliable defense of objects. The consumption of shells per shot down plane was 9,500 in 1916, and 3,000 in 1918. To detect enemy aircraft and warn the civilian population of military danger, an air surveillance, warning and communication service (VNOS) was organized. Observers at the posts detected air assault weapons visually and audibly. Information about the approach and direction of aircraft flight was transmitted by telephone and telegraph to the command post of antiaircraft artillery and fighter aircraft (IA). In 1916, barrage balloons were used as air defense means to protect large settlements. During the First World War, for the first time in military practice, the principles of air defense of objects of the country and troops were formed, techniques and methods of fighting an air enemy were developed.

Air defense during the civil war

In 1917, the Soviet Republic was faced with the task of ensuring reliable protection of cities and troops from air attacks. In October 1917, the first armored train equipped with cannons for firing at aircraft was built at the Putilov factory in Petrograd. By the spring of 1918, the Red Army had about 200 anti-aircraft artillery batteries and 12 fighter squadrons. There was no orderly air defense structure. And in May 1918, the "Office of the head of the formation of anti-aircraft batteries" was created, which marked the beginning of the centralized management of the formation of anti-aircraft artillery units. During the Civil War, the visual defense of Petrograd and Moscow was organized. All points of the air defense had in their composition the units of the IA, anti-aircraft and field artillery, barrage balloons and VNOS.

The development of air defense after the end of the civil war (1921-1940)

In the interwar years, the problem of equipping troops with weapons and military equipment... The solution to these problems began in the years military reform (1924-1925) In 1924, in Leningrad, the leadership of the artillery adopted a program for improving anti-aircraft artillery (ZA) - increasing the reach of anti-aircraft guns in height and range, increasing their efficiency and speed, improving the automation of fire control. Work continued with the aim of identifying the most advantageous calibers of anti-aircraft guns, new anti-aircraft guns of small and large calibers began to be created. In the 30s, the air defense forces began to be equipped with new military equipment. Armament for the ZA receives new samples of anti-aircraft guns: 7.62-mm model 1931 and 1938; 85 mm and automatic 37 mm model 1939. In 1929-1930. a fire control device (PUAZO-1) was created, the data from which was transmitted to the guns by voice or by phone, but a synchronous data transmission system for firing was soon developed. In 1935, the troops began to be equipped with PUAZO-2 devices, and in 1939 - PUAZO-3. Fighter aircraft began to be equipped with more modern fighters: I-15, I-16, I-153, and since 1940, Yak-1, MiG-3, LaGG-3, which surpassed the aircraft of the advanced capitalist countries in their flight characteristics. The VNOS service in 1939 received the first domestic radar detection stations: RUS-1, and in 1940 RUS-2. From 1934 to 1939, the number of anti-aircraft guns tripled and the number of fighters increased 1.5 times. In the interwar years, there was an improvement in the organizational forms and structure of command and control of air defense troops. In 1924, the first ZA regiment was formed in Leningrad, and in 1927 - the first anti-aircraft artillery brigade. In 1927, a department was created at the headquarters of the Red Army, and in 1930 - the Directorate in charge of air defense issues. In 1934, the Air Defense Directorate of the Red Army was headed by the commander of the 1st rank S. Kamenev, and in 1936 - the commander of the 2nd rank A. Sedyakin. In 1932, the first anti-aircraft artillery divisions were created. In 1937, air defense corps were formed for the air defense of important industrial and administrative centers of the country (Moscow, Leningrad, Baku). A major flaw in the organizational structure of the air defense was the absence of fighter aircraft in their composition, which was subordinate to the command of the Air Force. In February 1941, the entire border area of ​​the country was divided into air defense zones (according to the number of military districts). Since June 4, 1940, the Air Defense Directorate is headed by Major General M.F. Korolev. From November 21, 1940, Colonel A. G. Prozorov, from December 18, Lieutenant General, D. Kozlov. Army. On January 14, 1941, Colonel-General GM Stern became the head of the Red Army Air Defense Directorate. On June 8, 1941, Stern was arrested in connection with the "case of aviators." Since June 14, 1941, the Main Directorate of Air Defense was headed by Colonel General M. Voronov, and Major General Nagorny was appointed Chief of Staff. In the interwar years, there were significant quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition and purpose of air defense. Instead of scattered air defense units, air defense formations and corps were created, the first operational formations were created - air defense zones, which was new at that time in world military science and practice. But along with this, in the air defense system of the country by the beginning of the Second World War, many measures to improve organizational structure and rearmament of troops; the manning of the units did not meet the requirements of constant combat readiness. Frequent and not always justified changes in command personnel continued in the Main Directorate of Air Defense, formations and units. These and other shortcomings negatively affect the performance of combat missions by air defense troops in the first hours, days and months of the Second World War.

Air Defense Forces during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)

Air defense during the Second World War underwent the most severe test for its suitability in solving the assigned tasks of protecting the state.
The war found the air defense troops in the period of their rearmament. In anti-aircraft artillery, there were still few new 37-mm automatic and 85-mm anti-aircraft guns. The troops did not have enough high-speed fighters Yak-1 and MIG-3, 46% of the aircraft fleet were obsolete aircraft. Measures were taken at an accelerated pace to equip the troops with new equipment.
In July 1941, the State Defense Committee took a number of measures to strengthen the cover of Moscow and Leningrad, the Yaroslavl and Gorky industrial regions, to protect the strategic bridges across the Volga. To this end, the formation of IA, ZA, anti-aircraft machine-gun and searchlight units was accelerated.
The classic example of the organization of air defense in a large political and industrial center was the air defense of Moscow. Not a single capitalist state had such a powerful air defense throughout the Second World War. It was carried out by the First Air Defense Corps and the 6th Air Defense Fighter Aviation Corps. As part of these formations, by the beginning of the massive raids of fascist aviation, there were over 600 fighters, more than 1000 medium and small-caliber guns, about 350 machine guns, 124 posts of airborne balloons, 612 posts of VNOS, 600 anti-aircraft searchlights. The presence of such large forces, the skillful organization of command and control thwarted the enemy's attempts to deliver massive air strikes. In total, 2.6% of the total number of aircraft broke through to the city. The air defense troops defending Moscow destroyed 738 enemy aircraft. In addition, the 6th Fighter Aviation Corps, inflicting assault strikes, destroyed 567 aircraft at enemy airfields. In total, the Air Defense Forces destroyed 1,305 aircraft, 450 tanks and 5,000 vehicles were destroyed in battles with a ground enemy.
On November 9, 1941, the post of Commander of the Air Defense Forces of the territory of the country and on it was introduced, Major General Gromadin was appointed.
To improve the interaction of forces and means of air defense in January 1942, fighter aviation was subordinated to the air defense command.
In April 1942, the Moscow Air Defense Front was formed, and air defense armies were created in Leningrad and Baku. The first operational formations of the Air Defense Forces appeared.
In June 1943, the Office of the Commander of the Air Defense Forces of the country's territory was disbanded. After the reorganizations, by April 1944, the Western and Eastern Fronts were created, as well as the Transcaucasian Air Defense Zone, which in the same year were reorganized into the Northern, Southern and Transcaucasian Air Defense Fronts. The Air Defense Forces defending Moscow were reorganized into the Special Moscow Air Defense Army. In the Far East in March 1945, three air defense armies were created: Primorskaya, Priamurskaya, Zabaikalskaya.
In the course of the war, antiaircraft artillery and fighter aircraft were organizationally formed as branches of the air defense forces.
During the Second World War, the Air Defense Forces successfully coped with their tasks. They ensured the defense of industry and communications, allowing only individual aircraft to break through to the facilities, as a result of which there were short stops of enterprises and disruptions in the movement of trains in certain sections. railways... Carrying out their tasks, the Air Defense Forces of the country's territory destroyed 7313 aircraft of the German fascist aviation, of which 4168 by IA and 3145 anti-aircraft artillery, machine-gun fire and barrage balloons.
Over 80,000 soldiers, sergeants, officers and generals of the Air Defense Forces were awarded orders and medals, and 92 soldiers were awarded high rank Hero of the Soviet Union and 1 - twice. For successful hostilities, 11 formations and units of the Air Defense Forces were awarded honorary titles and 29 guards titles.

Air defense troops in the post-war years

During the reduction of the Soviet Armed Forces (-), the Air Force was divided into:

• Active army(front-line aviation)
• Air defense troops of the country's territory
• Air Defense Army of the country's territory
• Reserve Rates of VGK
• Air defense of military districts
• Air defense of inactive fronts

The first commander-in-chief of the country's air defense forces - Marshal of the Soviet Union Leonid Govorov (since July 7, commander of the country's air defense) was appointed in 1954.

In the USSR, there were two air defense districts - Moscow and Baku.

Air Defense Forces Day

USSR era badge

Established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 1, 1980. Celebrated on the second Sunday in April.

Commanders-in-Chief

Commanders (1948-1954), Commanders-in-Chief (1954-1998).

Air Defense Forces of the USSR

• Marshal of the Soviet Union Leonid Govorov, 1954-1955
• Marshal of the Soviet Union Sergei Biryuzov, 1955-1962
• Air Marshal V. A. Sudets, 1962-1966
• Marshal of the Soviet Union Pavel Batitsky, 1966-1978
• Air Chief Marshal A.I.Koldunov, 1978 - May 1987
• General of the Army I.M. Tretyak, May 31, 1987 - August 24, 1991

Air Defense Forces of the Russian Federation

• General of the Army Viktor Prudnikov, September 1991 - December 1997
• Colonel General Viktor Sinitsin, December 1997 - February 1998
• the post was abolished due to the unification of the Air Defense and Air Force

Structure

Armed Forces of the Soviet Union

Structure

ANTI-AIR DEFENSE TROOPS (V. Air Defense), a type of the Armed Forces (AF), designed to protect administrative, industrial centers and regions of the country, groupings of the Armed Forces, important military and other objects (in the USSR and Russian Federation from 1932 - a branch of the military, in 1954-98 - a type of the Armed Forces). V. air defense included: rocket and space defense troops, air defense aviation; anti-aircraft rocket troops(ZRV); radio-technical troops(RTV); special troops (engineering, communications, electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological protection, as well as formations and units of radio reconnaissance, technical, geodetic, engineering and aerodrome support and logistics). The air defense missions carried out their tasks independently and in cooperation with other types of the Armed Forces and combat arms.

The emergence of V. air defense is associated with the combat use of aircraft and other aircraft in the 1st world war... In Germany, France and Russia, cannons for firing at aircraft were created, which contributed to the birth of anti-aircraft artillery (ZA). In 1915, fighter aviation (IA) units were formed in a number of countries to provide air cover for large cities and troops. In 1915-16, barrage balloons began to be used as means of air defense, and anti-aircraft searchlights were used to ensure the firing of FOR and actions of the IA at night. To detect an air enemy and alert troops about it, an air surveillance, alert and communication service (VNOS) was organized in Russia.

V Civil war 1917-22 in 1918, the first states of an anti-aircraft battery and an anti-aircraft artillery battalion were approved. The main work to improve the means and the air defense system unfolded during the years of the military reform of 1924-25. In 1924, the 1st regiment FOR THE RKKA was formed in Leningrad, in 1925 fighter aviation brigades were created for the air defense of Moscow, in 1927 - an anti-aircraft artillery brigade. In 1926, the ZA was divided into military and positional, a special department was formed at the Headquarters of the Red Army, which was responsible for developing air defense issues of the USSR and organizing the air defense service in the troops. In 1928, the Regulation on the Air Defense of the USSR was approved. V Peaceful time the leadership of the country's air defense was entrusted to the People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs through the Headquarters of the Red Army. On the territory of military districts, these functions were performed by the commanders of the VO troops. V war time the direct command of the air defense in the front-line and army areas of the theater of operations was carried out by the army commanders. For the general leadership of the air defense of the entire country, by May 1930, a special department was created at the Headquarters of the Red Army, which in May 1932 was transformed into the Air Defense Directorate of the Red Army, directly subordinate to the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR. In 1932, the local air defense was approved as an integral part of the country's air defense. For the defense of Moscow and Leningrad, air defense divisions were deployed, for the defense of other large objects - air defense brigades and regiments, as well as aviation brigades and squadrons of IA. In May 1932, V. Air Defense was issued as independent genus troops. In 1932, the first anti-aircraft artillery divisions were created, and in 1937-38 - air defense corps for the defense of Moscow, Leningrad and Baku. In 1939-40, the VNOS service received the first detection radars RUS-1 and RUS-2. In December 1940, the Air Defense Directorate of the Red Army was transformed into the Main Directorate of the Red Army Air Defense. Since February 1941, air defense zones have been created in the border and some internal military units.

In total, by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, the air defense system included 3329 medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns, 330 small-caliber guns, 650 machine guns, over 1.5 thousand searchlights, 850 barrage balloons, and about 70 detection radars. To solve air defense missions, 40 IA regiments were also allocated, numbering about 1.5 thousand aircraft. However, the beginning of the war showed a discrepancy between the organization and technical equipment of the air defense forces of the country's territory (TS) to the level of development of enemy air attack weapons. In November 1941, the troops intended for the air defense of the country's facilities were removed from the subordination of the commanders of the military units, fronts and fleets (with the exception of formations and units covering Leningrad). The GKO decree of 11/9/1941 introduced the position of commander of the V. Air Defense of the TS, the headquarters of the V. of the Air Defense of the TS, the administration of the IA, the ZA and other control bodies were created. The air defense of the TS is divided into the air defense of the country and the air defense of the troops. On the basis of the air defense zones of the European part of the USSR, corps (Moscow, Leningrad) and divisional air defense regions were formed. In January 1942, air defense aviation was formed as part of the country's air defense system as a branch of the armed forces, to which 40 fighter aviation regiments were transferred from the air force. The Moscow corps region was reorganized into the Moscow Air Defense Front, the Leningrad and Baku regions - into the Leningrad and Baku Air Defense Armies. The country's air defense was entrusted with the task of combating enemy air attack weapons over the entire territory of the country within their reach. For the first time, the operational construction of air defense zones was not tied to the borders of land fronts and military units. In June 1943, the country's air defense was divided into the Western and Eastern Air Defense Fronts, which in December 1944 were reorganized into the Northern, Southern, and Transcaucasian Air Defense Fronts. In July 1943, the post of commander of the country's air defense system was abolished in connection with the subordination of the country's air defense system directly to the artillery commander of the USSR Armed Forces. By the end of the war, the country's air defense system included 4 fronts (Western, Southwestern, Central, and Transcaucasian) and 6 air defense armies. In total, these associations included: Air Defense Air Fighter Army, 15 Air Defense Corps, 4 Air Defense Fighter Air Corps, 18 Air Defense Divisions, 24 Air Defense Fighter Air Divisions, 5 separate Air Defense brigades. They were armed with about 3.2 thousand fighter aircraft, about 9.8 thousand medium and over 8.9 thousand small-caliber anti-aircraft guns, 5.4 thousand searchlights, 1.4 thousand barrage balloons, about 300 detection radars. While repelling enemy air raids, the country's air defense destroyed over 7,300 enemy aircraft. For military exploits in the Great Patriotic War, over 80 thousand soldiers of the country's air defense system were awarded orders and medals, 95 of them were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, 29 formations and units received the title of guards, and 11 - honorary titles.

V post-war years in the USSR, the reorganization of the air defense fronts and armies was carried out. On their basis, 3 air defense districts and 2 separate air defense corps were created. In February 1946, the post of commander of the country's air defense was restored. In 1948-49, the districts, armies and separate air defense corps were disbanded, on their basis air defense areas of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd categories were created: in the border zone with subordination to the commander of military units of the military, in the interior regions of the country - to the commander of the air defense of the country, air defense naval bases were carried out by the air defense of the respective fleets. In 1954, the country's air defense system was reorganized from a branch of the armed forces into an armed service. They included practically all the air defense forces of the USSR. The border of responsibility of the country's air defense (along the state border of the USSR) has been established. Air defense formations (districts, armies) and formations (corps, divisions) have been created. The air defense command of the country was promptly subordinated to the Air Force IA of the VO. In the military districts, only parts of the military air defense of land formations were left, in the fleets - ship air defense systems. In the 1950s and 1960s, the air defense system became multi-echelon and more maneuverable. In the East, the air defense of the country stood out as a branch of the RTV and ZRV troops. The following have entered service with the country's air defense system: fighter aircraft Mig-15, Mig-17, Mig-19, Yak-25, Su-9, Su-11, and others; anti-aircraft artillery systems (with 57-mm, 100-mm and 130-mm guns) and air defense systems; new radars. In March 1967, the country's air defense system included forces and means of warning about a missile attack, anti-missile and anti-space defense, and control of outer space. In 1980, the country's air defense system was reorganized into the country's air defense system. The commander-in-chief of the Air Defense Forces is subordinate to the leadership apparatus of the military air defense (air defense of the Ground Forces). The air defense system was divided into air defense of the border area and air defense of the interior regions of the country. On the territory of the border VO, responsibility for air defense was assigned to the commanders of the VO troops, in the interior regions it remained centralized system leadership V. Air Defense. In 1986, in the border areas on the main strategic aerospace directions, separate air defense armies were re-created, directly subordinate to the commander-in-chief V. of the air defense and the operational commander-in-chief of the forces of the directions. In 1992, V. Air Defense on the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as on the territories of the republics former USSR that did not fall under their jurisdiction, became part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation as a type of Armed Forces. In 1997, the missile and space defense troops were transferred from the Air Defense Forces to the Strategic Missile Forces. In 1998, the Air Defense Forces were combined with the Air Force into one type of Armed Forces — the Air Force.

In the United States, the air defense tasks of the country's territory are assigned to the special command of aerospace defense, in other states - to the Air Force, which includes all the forces and means of air defense.

Lit .: Agrenich A.A. Antiaircraft artillery. M., 1960; Air defense troops of the country. M., 1968; Gatsolaev V.A. Anti-aircraft units in battle. M., 1974; The development of air defense. M., 1976; Batitsky P.F. M., 1977; Andersen Yu.A., Drozhzhin A.I., Lozik P.M. ground forces... M., 1979; Air defense troops of the country in the Great Patriotic War, 1941-1945. M., 1981; Air defense of the country (1914-1995). M., 1998.

There are many different abbreviations found in military literature. Each of them hides either weapons, or military equipment, or a certain type or type of troops. Army pilots of foreign countries have special respect for the Russian abbreviation for air defense, which stands for "air defense".

Air Defense - Country Air Shield

Air defense of a country is a separate type of armed support as part of measures to protect the state from an air attack. The first units designed to combat the air threat were created in Russia even before the revolution, back in 1914. Equipped with light cannons and machine gun mounts, these formations successfully opposed German airplanes.

But the real test of the readiness of the air defense system for the country's defense was the Great Patriotic War... During air battles on the approaches to Moscow and Leningrad, Soviet anti-aircraft gunners inflicted significant damage to the fascist aviation. Over the entire war period, air defense units destroyed or disabled more than seven thousand enemy aircraft.

The importance of air defense for the state is so great that a special holiday has been established in the country - the Day of the Air Defense Forces, which, according to tradition, is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of April. The time for the holiday was not chosen by chance. It was in April that the most important decisions were made regarding the organization of this type of troops, their formation and development.

Constant alert troops

The modern air defense forces of Russia are a branch of the armed forces whose functions include covering military and civilian facilities and military formations from possible attacks from a potential enemy's air attack. Domestic air defense units are able to destroy enemy aircraft at various altitudes, regardless of flight speed.

In peacetime, air defense units carry out round-the-clock combat duty, vigilantly guarding the country's air borders and approaches to especially important objects of strategic importance. If the need arises to participate in real hostilities, the air defense forces will be able to conduct aerial reconnaissance, notify ground targets of the threat of an attack from the air and all available ways destroy planes and other means of attack of the enemy.

From the point of view of the organizational structure, the air defense forces consist of command and control bodies, hidden command posts, radio-technical and anti-aircraft missile units, as well as aviation. The units are distinguished by high mobility and survivability. Hidden from prying eyes, detection equipment and rocket launchers are capable of detecting enemy aircraft at distant approaches and timely neutralizing enemy air attack weapons.