The airborne troops consist of. The difference between the DShB and the Airborne Forces: their history and composition. Armament and equipment of the Airborne Forces

Designed to operate behind enemy lines, destroy nuclear attack weapons, command posts, capture and hold important areas and facilities, disrupt the command and control system and work of enemy rear lines, assist the Ground Forces in developing an offensive and forcing water barriers. They are equipped with air transportable self-propelled artillery, rocket, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles, automatic small arms, communications and control equipment. The available parachute landing equipment makes it possible to drop troops and cargo in any weather and terrain conditions, day and night from various heights. Organizational air- landing troops consist of (Fig. 1) airborne formations, an airborne brigade, military units special troops.

Rice. 1. Structure of the Airborne Troops

The Airborne Forces are armed with airborne self-propelled guns ASU-85; self-propelled artillery guns "Octopus-SD"; 122-mm D-30 howitzers; airborne combat vehicles BMD-1/2/3/4; armored personnel carriers BTR-D.

Part of the Armed Forces Russian Federation may be part of the joint armed forces (for example, the CIS Joint Forces) or be under joint command in accordance with the international treaties of the Russian Federation (for example, as part of the UN peacekeeping forces or the CIS collective peacekeeping forces in zones of local military conflicts).

branch

The smallest military formation in - department. The squad is commanded by a junior sergeant or sergeant. Usually in a motorized rifle department there are 9-13 people. In the branches of other branches of the military, the number personnel departments from 3 to 15 people. Typically, a squad is part of a platoon, but may also exist outside of a platoon.

Platoon

Several departments make up platoon. Usually there are 2 to 4 squads in a platoon, but more are possible. A platoon is led by a commander with an officer's rank - junior lieutenant, lieutenant or senior lieutenant. On average, the number of personnel in a platoon ranges from 9 to 45 people. Usually in all military branches the name is the same - a platoon. Usually a platoon is part of a company, but it can also exist independently.

Company

Several platoons make up company. In addition, a company may include several independent squads that are not included in any of the platoons. For example, in a motorized rifle company there are three motorized rifle platoons, a machine-gun squad, and an anti-tank squad. Usually a company consists of 2-4 platoons, sometimes even more platoons. A company is the smallest formation of tactical value, i.e. a formation capable of independently performing small tactical tasks on the battlefield. Company commander Capt. On average, the size of a company can be from 18 to 200 people. Motorized rifle companies are usually about 130-150 people, tank companies 30-35 people. Usually the company is part of the battalion, but often the existence of companies as independent formations. In artillery, this type of formation is called a battery; in cavalry, a squadron.

Battalion consists of several companies (usually 2-4) and several platoons that are not included in any of the companies. The battalion is one of the main tactical formations. A battalion, like a company, platoon, squad, is named according to its type of troops (tank, motorized rifle, engineer-sapper, communications). But the battalion already includes formations of other types of weapons. For example, in a motorized rifle battalion, in addition to motorized rifle companies, there is a mortar battery, a material support platoon, and a communications platoon. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel. The battalion already has its headquarters. Usually, on average, a battalion, depending on the type of troops, can number from 250 to 950 people. However, there are battalions of about 100 people. In artillery, this type of formation is called a division.

Regiment

Regiment- this is the main tactical formation and a completely autonomous formation in the economic sense. The regiment is commanded by a colonel. Although the regiments are named according to the branches of the military (tank, motorized rifle, communications, pontoon-bridge, etc.), but in fact this is a formation consisting of units of many branches of the military, and the name is given according to the predominant branch of the military. For example, in motorized rifle regiment two or three motorized rifle battalions, one tank battalion, one artillery battalion (read battalion), one anti-aircraft missile battalion, a reconnaissance company, an engineering company, a communications company, an anti-tank battery, a chemical protection platoon, a repair company, a company material support, orchestra, medical center. The number of personnel of the regiment is from 900 to 2000 people.

brigade

Just like the regiment brigade is the main tactical formation. Actually, the brigade occupies an intermediate position between the regiment and the division. The structure of the brigade is most often the same as that of the regiment, but there are much more battalions and other units in the brigade. So in a motorized rifle brigade there are one and a half to two times more motorized rifle and tank battalions than in a regiment. A brigade may also consist of two regiments, plus auxiliary battalions and companies. On average, there are from 2,000 to 8,000 people in a brigade. The brigade commander, as well as in the regiment, is a colonel.

Division

Division- the main operational-tactical formation. As well as the regiment is named after the type of troops prevailing in it. However, the predominance of one or another type of troops is much less than in the regiment. The motorized rifle and tank divisions are identical in structure, with the only difference being that in motorized rifle division two or three motorized rifle regiments and one tank regiment, and in a tank division, on the contrary, two or three tank regiments, and one motorized rifle regiment. In addition to these main regiments, the division has one or two artillery regiments, one anti-aircraft missile regiment, a rocket battalion, a missile battalion, a helicopter squadron, an engineer battalion, a communications battalion, an automobile battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an electronic warfare battalion, a material support battalion, a repair - recovery battalion, medical battalion, company chemical protection and several different auxiliaries companies and platoons. Divisions can be tank, motorized rifle, artillery, airborne, missile and aviation. In other military branches, as a rule, the highest formation is a regiment or brigade. On average, there are 12-24 thousand people in a division. Division Commander Major General.

Frame

Just as a brigade is an intermediate formation between a regiment and a division, so frame is an intermediate formation between the division and the army. The corps is a combined-arms formation, i.e. it usually lacks the sign of one type of troops, although tank or artillery corps may also exist, i.e. corps with a complete predominance of tank or artillery divisions. The combined arms corps is usually referred to as the "army corps". There is no single corps structure. Each time the corps is formed on the basis of a specific military or military-political situation, and may consist of two or three divisions and a different number of formations of other military branches. Usually a corps is created where it is impractical to create an army. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the corps, because how many corps exist or existed, so many of their structures existed. Corps Commander Lieutenant General.

Army

Army- This is a large military formation of operational purpose. The army includes divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. Usually, armies are no longer subdivided according to the types of troops, although there may be tank armies, where tank divisions. An army may also include one or more corps. It is impossible to talk about the structure and size of the army, because how many armies exist or have existed, so many structures existed. The soldier at the head of the army is no longer called "commander", but "commander of the army." Usually the staff rank of the army commander is Colonel General. IN Peaceful time armies as military formations are rarely organized. Usually divisions, regiments, battalions are directly part of the district.

Front

Front (district)- This is the highest military formation of a strategic type. Larger formations do not exist. The name "front" is used only in wartime for the formation leading fighting. For such formations in peacetime, or those located in the rear, the name "district" (military district) is used. The front includes several armies, corps, divisions, regiments, battalions of all types of troops. The composition and strength of the front may be different. Fronts are never subdivided according to the types of troops (i.e., there cannot be a tank front, an artillery front, etc.). At the head of the front (district) is the commander of the front (district) with the rank of army general.

Military art in Russia, as well as throughout the world, is divided into three levels:

Tactics(the art of combat). Squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment solve tactical tasks, that is, they are fighting.
operational art(the art of waging a battle, battle). A division, a corps, an army solve operational tasks, that is, they conduct a battle.
Strategy(the art of commanding war in general). The front solves both operational and strategic tasks, that is, it leads major battles as a result of which the strategic situation changes and the outcome of the war can be decided.

Airborne troops
(VDV)

From the history of creation

The history of the Russian Airborne Forces is inextricably linked with the history of the creation and development of the Red Army. Marshal made a great contribution to the theory of the combat use of airborne assault forces. Soviet Union M.N. Tukhachevsky. Back in the second half of the 1920s, he was the first among Soviet military figures to deeply study the role of airborne assault forces in future war, substantiated the prospects of the Airborne Forces.

In the work "New Questions of War" M.N. Tukhachevsky wrote: “If a country is prepared for the widespread production of airborne assault forces capable of capturing and stopping activities railways the enemy in decisive directions, paralyze the deployment and mobilization of his troops, etc., then such a country will be able to reverse the previous methods of operational operations and give the outcome of the war a much more decisive character.

A significant place in this work is given to the role of airborne assault forces in border battles. The author believed that during this period of the battle it would be more profitable to use airborne assault forces to disrupt mobilization, isolate and tie down border garrisons, defeat local enemy troops, capture airfields, landing sites and solve other important tasks.

Much attention was paid to the development of the theory of the use of the Airborne Forces by Ya.I. Alksnis, A.I. Egorov, A.I. Cork, I.P. Uborevich, I.E. Yakir and many other military leaders. They believed that the most trained soldiers should serve in the Airborne Forces, ready to complete any task, while showing determination and stamina. Airborne assault forces must deliver sudden attacks on the enemy where no one is waiting for them.

Theoretical studies led to the fact that the combat activity of the Airborne Forces should be of an offensive nature, bold to the point of insolence and extremely maneuverable in carrying out quick, concentrated strikes. Airborne assault forces, making maximum use of the suddenness of their appearance, must swiftly strike at the most sensitive points, achieve hourly success, thereby increasing panic in the enemy ranks.

Simultaneously with the development of the theory of the combat use of the Airborne Forces in the Red Army, bold experiments were carried out on the landing of airborne assault forces, an extensive program was conducted to create experimental airborne units, questions of their organization were studied, and a system of combat training was developed.

For the first time, an airborne assault was used to perform a combat mission in 1929. On April 13, 1929, the Fuzaili gang made another raid from Afghanistan to the territory of Tajikistan. The plans of the Basmachi included capturing the Garm district and in the future to ensure the invasion of the Alai and Ferghana valleys of larger bands of the Basmachi. Cavalry detachments were sent to the Basmachi invasion area with the task of destroying the gang before it captured the Garm district. However, the information received from the city testified that they would not have time to block the path of the gang, which had already defeated a detachment of Garm volunteers in the oncoming battle and threatened the city. In this critical situation, the commander of the Central Asian military district P.E. Dybenko made a bold decision: to transfer a detachment of fighters through the air and with a sudden blow to destroy the enemy on the outskirts of the city. The detachment consisted of 45 people armed with rifles and four machine guns. On the morning of April 23, two platoon commanders flew to the combat area on the first plane, followed by the commander cavalry brigade T.T. Shapkin, brigade commissar A.T. Fedin. The platoon commanders were supposed to capture the landing site and ensure the landing of the main forces of the detachment. The task of the brigade commander was to study the situation on the spot and then, returning back to Dushanbe, report the results to the commander. Commissar Fedin was supposed to take command of the landing force and lead the actions to destroy the gang. An hour and a half after the first plane took off, the main landing force took off. However, the detachment's plan of action planned earlier was canceled immediately after the plane landed with the commander and commissar. Half of the city was already occupied by the Basmachi, so it was impossible to delay. Having sent a plane with a report, the brigade commander decided to immediately attack the enemy with available forces, without waiting for the landing force to arrive. Having obtained horses in the nearest villages and splitting into two groups, the detachment moved to Garm. Having burst into the city, the detachment unleashed powerful machine-gun and rifle fire on the Basmachi. The bandits were confused. They knew about the size of the city's garrison, but they were armed with rifles, and where did the machine guns come from? The bandits decided that a division of the Red Army had broken into the city, and, unable to withstand the onslaught, retreated from the city, losing about 80 people in the process. The approaching cavalry units completed the defeat of the Fuzaili gang. District Commander P.E. Dybenko, during the analysis, highly appreciated the actions of the detachment.

The second experiment took place on July 26, 1930. On this day, under the leadership of military pilot L. Minov, the first training jumps were made in Voronezh. Leonid Grigoryevich Minov himself later told how the events unfolded: “I didn’t think that one jump could change a lot in life. I loved flying with all my heart. Like all my comrades, at that time I treated parachutes with distrust. and did not think.In 1928, I happened to be at a meeting management team Air Force, where I made my report on the results of work on "blind" flights at the Borisoglebsk school of military pilots. "After the meeting, Pyotr Ionovich Baranov, the head of the Air Force, called me and asked:" In your report, you said that you need to fly blind definitely with a parachute. Leonid Grigorievich, what do you think, are parachutes needed in military aviation"What could I say then! Of course, parachutes are needed. The best proof of this was the forced parachute jump of test pilot M. Gromov. Remembering this incident, I answered Petr Ionovich in the affirmative. Then he suggested that I go to the USA and get to know how they the situation with the rescue service in aviation. To be honest, I agreed reluctantly. I returned from the United States of America "light": with a "diploma" in my pocket and three jumps. Pyotr Ionovich Baranov put my memo in a skinny folder. When he closed it , on the cover I saw the inscription: "Parachute business". I left Baranov's office two hours later. There was a lot of work to be done on the introduction of parachutes in aviation, on the organization of various studies and experiments aimed at improving flight safety. It was decided to conduct classes in Voronezh with Baranov proposed to think about the possibility of training 10-15 paratroopers at the Voronezh training camp to perform a group jump. On July 26, 1930, participants in the training camp of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District gathered at the airfield near Voronezh. I had to perform a demonstration jump. Of course, everyone who was on the airfield considered me an ace in this matter. 'Cause I've been here the only person who has already received an air parachute baptism and jumped more than once, not two, but had as many as three jumps! And the prize-winning place I took at the competitions of the strongest skydivers in the USA, apparently, seemed to be something inaccessible to those present. Together with me, the pilot Moshkovsky, who was appointed my assistant at the training camp, was preparing to jump. There were no more applicants. My jump was really successful. I landed lightly, not far from the audience, I even stood on my feet. Met with applause. A girl who came from somewhere handed me a bouquet of field daisies. - "And how is Moshkovsky?"... The plane enters the course. His figure is clearly visible in the doorway. It's time to jump. It's time! But he is still standing in the doorway, apparently not daring to rush down. Another second, second. Finally! A white plume shot up over the falling man and immediately turned into a tight canopy of a parachute. - "Hurrah-ah-ah! .." - there was a sound around. Many pilots, seeing Moshkovsky and me alive and unharmed, expressed a desire to jump too. On that day, the squadron commander A. Stoilov, his assistant K. Zatonsky, pilots I. Povalyaev and I. Mukhin made jumps. And three days later there were 30 people in the ranks of paratroopers. After listening to my report on the course of the training by phone, Baranov asked: "Tell me, is it possible to prepare, say, ten or fifteen people for a group jump in two or three days?" Having received a positive answer, Pyotr Ionovich explained his thought: "It would be very good if it were possible during the Voronezh exercise to demonstrate the dropping of a group of armed paratroopers for sabotage operations on the territory of the "enemy."

Needless to say, we accepted this original and interesting task with great enthusiasm. It was decided to launch the landing from the Farman-Goliath aircraft. In those days it was the only aircraft we had mastered for jumping. Its advantage over the TB-1 bombers available in the air brigade was that a person did not need to get out on the wing - paratroopers jumped directly into open door. Moreover, all trainees were in the cockpit. The feeling of a comrade's elbow reassured everyone. In addition, the releaser could watch him, cheer him up before the jump. Ten volunteers who had already completed training jumps were selected to participate in the landing. In addition to the landing of fighters, the plan of the landing operation included the dropping of weapons and ammunition (light machine guns, grenades, cartridges) from aircraft on special cargo parachutes. For this purpose, two soft mail bags and four light-heavy boxes designed by K. Blagin were used. The landing group was divided into two detachments, since no more than seven paratroopers fit in the cockpit. After the landing of the first paratroopers, the plane returned to the airfield for the second group. During the break between jumps, it was planned to drop six cargo parachutes with weapons and ammunition from three P-1 aircraft. As a result of this experiment, I wanted to get an answer to whole line questions: to establish the degree of dispersion of a group of six people and the time of separation from the aircraft of all fighters; fix the time it will take to descend the paratroopers to the ground, receive the dropped weapons and bring the landing force into full readiness for combat operations. In order to expand the experience, the drop of the first detachment was planned from a height of 350 meters, the second - from 500 meters, dropping cargo - from 150 meters. Preparations for the landing operation were completed on 31 July. Each fighter knew his place on the plane and his task on the ground. The paratroopers' equipment, consisting of the main and reserve parachutes, was stowed and carefully fitted to the soldier's figure, weapons and ammunition were packed in hanging bags and cargo parachute boxes.

On August 2, 1930, at exactly 9 o'clock, a plane took off from the base airfield. On board is the first detachment of paratroopers. Together with us and the head of the second group Ya. Moshkovsky. He decided to see where the place of separation of our group was, so that later he could accurately parachute his guys. We were followed by three R-1 planes, under the wings of which cargo parachutes were suspended on bomb racks.

Having made a circle, our plane turned to the landing site, located about two kilometers from the airfield. The landing area is a field free from crops measuring 600 by 800 meters. She adjoined a small farm. One of the buildings, located on the outskirts of the farm, was designated as a landmark for collecting paratroopers after landing and as a starting point for the start of military operations of the landing force in the rear of the "enemy". - "Get ready!" - trying to shout over the rumble of engines, I commanded. The guys immediately got up and stood one after another, squeezing in right hand pull ring. Faces are tense, focused. As soon as they crossed the site, I gave the command: "Go!" ... - the fighters literally poured out of the plane, I dived last and immediately pulled the ring. I counted - all the domes opened normally. We landed almost in the center of the site, not far from each other. The soldiers quickly gathered their parachutes and ran up to me. In the meantime, the R-1 link passed overhead and dropped six parachutes with weapons on the edge of the farm. We rushed there, unpacked the bags, took out machine guns, cartridges. And now our "Farman" with the second group reappeared in the sky. As planned, Moshkovsky's group left the plane at an altitude of 500 meters. They landed next to us. It took only a few minutes, and 12 paratroopers, armed with two light machine guns, rifles, revolvers and grenades, were in full readiness for combat operations ... "

So the world's first parachute landing was dropped.

In the order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR dated October 24, 1930, People's Commissar K. Voroshilov noted: “Successful experiments in organizing airborne assaults should be noted as achievements. Airborne operations should be comprehensively studied from the technical and tactical side by the Headquarters of the Red Army and they were given appropriate instructions on the spot.

It is this order that is the legal evidence of the birth of the "winged infantry" in the Land of Soviets.

Organizational structure of the airborne troops

Command of the Airborne Troops
- 98th Guards Airborne Svir Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Division
- 106th Guards Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Airborne Division
- 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Red Banner Order Kutuzov 2nd degree division;
- 76th Guards Air Assault Chernihiv Red Banner Division;
- 31st Separate Guards Airborne Assault Order of Kutuzov, 2nd Class Brigade;
- 45th Separate Guards Order of Kutuzov Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment;
- 38th Separate Communications Regiment of the Airborne Troops;

Airborne Troops- a type of troops intended for combat operations behind enemy lines.

Designed for airborne landings behind enemy lines or for rapid deployment in geographically remote areas, often used as a rapid reaction force.

The main method of delivery of the Airborne Forces is parachute landing, they can also be delivered by helicopter; during World War II, glider delivery was practiced.

The Airborne Forces consist of:

paratroopers
tank
artillery
self-propelled artillery
other units and divisions
from units and subunits of special troops and rear.

The personnel of the Airborne Forces are parachuted along with their personal weapons.

Tanks, rocket launchers, artillery guns, self-propelled guns, ammunition and other materiel are dropped from aircraft using airborne equipment (parachutes, parachute and parachute-rocket systems, cargo containers, platforms for installing and dropping weapons and equipment) or delivered by aircraft behind enemy lines to captured airfields.

The main combat properties of the Airborne Forces:

ability to quickly reach remote areas
strike suddenly
successfully conduct combined arms combat.

Part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation may be part of the joint armed forces (for example, the Joint Forces of the CIS) or be under joint command in accordance with the international treaties of the Russian Federation (for example, as part of the UN peacekeeping forces or the CIS collective peacekeeping forces in zones of local military conflicts ).

Airborne troops of the Russian Federation- This is a separate branch of the Russian Armed Forces, which is in the reserve of the Commander-in-Chief of the country and is 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- these are actions behind enemy lines, carrying out deep raids, capturing important enemy facilities, bridgeheads, disrupting enemy communications and enemy control, 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 both parachute and landing landings.

The airborne troops of Russia are rightfully considered the elite of the armed forces, in order to get into this branch of the military, 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. USSR Airborne Forces played important role in the victory over the Nazi invaders. The paratroopers actively participated in 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 of the Airborne Forces was officially approved in 2004.

In addition to the flag of the airborne troops, there is also the emblem of this type of troops. The emblem of the airborne troops is a flaming gold-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 military equipment, and samples designed specifically for this type of troops, taking into account the specifics of the tasks that it performs.

It is difficult to name the exact number of the Russian Airborne Forces, this information is secret. However, according to unofficial data obtained from Russian Ministry 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 Soviet Union, without a doubt, is the birthplace of the Airborne Forces. It was in the USSR that the first airborne unit was created, this happened in 1930. At first it was a small detachment, 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 brigade was formed on the basis of the detachment. special purpose, 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 1930s, the country was experiencing a real "parachute" boom, parachute towers were in almost every stadium.

During the exercises of the Kyiv military district in 1935, a massive 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 who were invited to the exercises were amazed at the scale of the landings and the skill of Soviet paratroopers.

According to the Field Charter of the Red Army of 1939, the airborne units were at the disposal of the main command, they were planned to be used to deliver strikes behind enemy lines. At the same time, it was instructed to clearly coordinate such strikes with other branches of the armed forces, which at that moment were inflicting frontal strikes on the enemy.

In 1939, Soviet paratroopers managed to gain their first combat experience: the 212th airborne brigade also took part in the battles with the Japanese at Khalkhin Gol. Hundreds of its fighters were awarded government awards. Several parts of the Airborne Forces participated in the Soviet-Finnish war. The paratroopers were also involved during the capture of Northern Bukovina and Bessarabia.

On the eve of 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 in western regions five airborne corps were deployed in 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.

Information: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 establishments who trained paratroopers.

Airborne units 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 “patching holes”: in defense, to eliminate sudden German breakthroughs, to release surrounded by Soviet troops. Due to 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 reported to the Minister of Defense of the country.

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.

In the late 1960s, it was created the new kind units that are part of the Airborne Forces - 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 combat 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 tasks more suitable for 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.

Information: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 The SV 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 troops

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 regiment airborne communications. 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 2018). There is information that in 2017 an air assault battalion will be deployed on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, and in the future, a regiment of the 7th air 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 of them and the most famous is the Ryazan Higher Airborne command school, which also trains officers for the Russian Airborne Forces. Also, the structure of this type of troops includes two Suvorov schools (in Tula and Ulyanovsk), Omsk cadet corps and 242nd The educational center located in Omsk.

Armament and equipment of the 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.

More modern is the BMD-3, the operation of which began in 1990. Currently, 10 units of this combat vehicle are in service. Serial production has been discontinued. The BMD-3 is to replace the BMD-4, 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), the BTR-RD Robot self-propelled anti-tank systems (more than 100 units) and a wide range of different ATGMs: Metis, Fagot, Konkurs and "Cornet".

The Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation 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 Igla and Verba), 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.

Information: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 last years The Airborne Forces began to receive new models of automotive equipment, of which the Tigr 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 control systems for troops "Andromeda-D" and "Flight-K".

In service airborne troops there is 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 Val silent assault rifle.

The Airborne Forces are armed with machine guns "Pecheneg" (Russia) and NSV (USSR), as well as a heavy machine gun "Kord" (Russia).

Among the sniper systems, it should be noted SV-98 (Russia) and Vintorez (USSR), as well as the Austrian Steyr SSG 04 sniper rifle, which was purchased for the needs of special forces of the Airborne Forces. The paratroopers are armed with automatic grenade launchers AGS-17 "Flame" and AGS-30, as well as an easel grenade launcher SPG-9 "Spear". In addition, a number of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, both Soviet and Russian production.

To conduct aerial reconnaissance and adjust artillery fire, the Airborne Forces use unmanned aerial vehicles. aircrafts"Orlan-10" Russian production. The exact number of Orlans in service with the Airborne Forces is unknown.

The airborne troops of the Russian Federation use a large number of different parachute systems of Soviet and Russian production. With their help, landing of both personnel and military equipment is carried out.

Airborne Forces Day - memorable date, established in May 2006 by decree of the President of Russia - the holiday is intended to contribute to the revival and development of domestic military traditions.

The paratroopers, also called "winged infantry", "blue berets" and so on, are a symbol of courage, reliability and strength. The principle of the landing troops: "No one but us!"

History of the landing troops

The birthday of the Airborne Forces is considered August 2, 1930. On this day, the first parachute landing was carried out in the USSR. Only 12 Red Army soldiers took part in the landing, which took place during the exercises of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh.

The experiment was recognized as successful and in 1933 special-purpose aviation battalions were formed in the Moscow, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Volga military districts. Subsequently, the modern Airborne Forces grew out of them.

To the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in the USSR, five Airborne Corps were fully formed - each numbering up to ten thousand people. From the first days of the war, they fought defensive battles in the Baltic states, in Belarus and Ukraine in cooperation with other ground forces.

The famous Prokhorovka near Kursk was defended by the 9th Guards Airborne Division for more than a day - in this battle, the paratroopers destroyed about 500 Nazi soldiers.

The "winged infantry" fought in Moldova, on the Karelian front, Hungary, they also liberated Vienna, the capital of Austria.

Paralyze completely the actions of Japan on Far East succeeded precisely thanks to the troops of the Airborne Forces, who landed in Port Arthur, Harbin, Mukden, Pyongyang and South Sakhalin.

The feat of the paratroopers, who fought with unparalleled courage and heroism, is reflected in the Soviet military prose, poetry, cinema. Bulat Okudzhava's beloved song "We need one victory" is dedicated to the landing troops.

For the first time, the song "Our Tenth Airborne Battalion" sounded in Andrey Smirnov's film "Belorussky Station" and unconditionally entered our lives.

Feats continued to be performed by parts of the Airborne Forces and in postwar period. The famous 9th company in January 1988, despite the tenfold numerical superiority of the enemy, was able to hold the height of 3234, repelling more than 12 Mujahideen attacks before the reconnaissance platoon arrived. At that time, only five people remained in the 9th company in the ranks.

Since 2005, units of the Airborne Forces, according to their specialization, have been divided into airborne, airborne assault and mountain divisions - the 98th and 106th Guards Airborne Divisions are part of the former.

The second includes the 76th Guards Air Assault Division of two regiments and the 31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade of three battalions, and the 7th Guards Air Assault Division (mountain) belongs to the third.

Troops of Uncle Vasya

The abbreviation VDV, as everyone knows, means Airborne Troops. The paratroopers themselves decipher the Airborne Forces as Uncle Vasya's Troops. So with love they call the famous commander of the Airborne Forces Vasily Margelov - he led this branch of the military from 1954 to 1959 and from 1961 to 1979.

It was thanks to "Uncle Vasya" that the landing troops acquired blue berets and a vest. Prior to this, the landing troops wore crimson berets. The landing of people directly in combat vehicles was also started thanks to "Uncle Vasya".

This happened historical fact January 5, 1973 - Margelov put his son in the first BMD, which was supposed to be thrown out of the plane, and closed the hatch behind him with his own hands.

With paratroopers inside Combat vehicles, descending, could immediately go into battle, without waiting for the crews to descend on their parachutes. So the Airborne Forces acquired their irresistible mobility under "Uncle Vasya".

Margelov was able to create that special spirit in the landing troops, thanks to which service in the Airborne Forces began to be considered especially prestigious.

Airborne Forces Day

The Airborne Forces Day is celebrated by the soldiers of the Airborne Forces of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other CIS countries. The current and former Airborne Forces will gather, according to tradition, in different cities of Russia, recalling the years of their service.

Festive and commemorative events are held on the Day of the Airborne Forces throughout Russia - demonstration performances of paratroopers and paratroopers, a demonstration of military equipment that is in service with the airborne troops, and so on.

On this day, veterans of the Airborne Forces are honored - charity events and festive concerts are held. The fallen heroes are not forgotten on the holiday - on the Day of the Airborne Forces, flowers are laid at the monument to paratroopers and their burial places, and funeral services are also held.

Airborne troops are never former - they remain for life, therefore a huge army of paratroopers on Airborne Forces Day takes to the streets of Russian cities and on a large scale, from the heart, like no other, celebrate their professional holiday.

At the same time, the "blue berets" will selflessly and heroically defend their homeland, since they are always where it is most dangerous - in the very hell.

The landing troops have their own patron - the prophet Elijah, whose memorial day Orthodox Church also celebrates on August 2.

Material prepared on the basis of 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 Soviet command 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 amphibious 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 fighting as part of Limited contingent Soviet troops 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 provided the evacuation 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 ( Union Republic 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, on the basis of separate anti-aircraft missile artillery battalions separate anti-aircraft missile regiments were formed. 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 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 MANPADS "Verba" and automated system management "Barnaul-T".

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).