Russian Air Force Day (
Russian: День Военно-воздушных сил,
romanized: Den Voyenno-vozdushnykh) is a professional military holiday of Russia celebrated on 12 August to honor the active and reserve personnel, as well as veterans of the
Russian Aerospace Forces.
History
Air Fleet Day (
Russian: День Воздушного Флота,
romanized: Den Vozdushnogo Flota), also known as the Air Forces Day or Soviet Aviation Day[1] was established in 1933[2] and was celebrated on the third Sunday of August.[3][4][5] The first aviation exhibition was held on 18 August 1933,[1][6] at the initiative of
Yakov Alksnis at Moscow's
Khodynka Aerodrome.[7] Future air parades were held at
Tushino Airfield, where they remained for decades. In 1937, the parade was attended by nearly a million people,[7][8]
Festive events dedicated to the holiday are held annually.[18][19] Air shows are commonly held at
Zhukovsky Airport. Solemn events are held at the Moscow House of War and Armed Forces Veterans.[20] The 2012 Air Force Day celebrations marked the
centennial of Russian military aviation, being attended by President
Vladimir Putin.[21]
^Decree 3564-1 of September 28, 1992: "The establishment of the Russian Air Fleet Day" (
Russian: Об установлении праздника День Воздушного флота России)
^Decree 949 of 29 August 1997: "On establishing the Day of the Air Force" (
Russian: Об установлении Дня Военно-воздушных сил) and a revision 549 of 31 May 2006.