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PF naval aviation turned 78
06.04.2010
In the Far East, military aviation first emerged at Spasskoye settlement being attached to Siberian aeronautic battalion.
That was one out of six air units founded in Russian army in 1912, reports Deita referring to Pacific Fleet (PF) Information Support Group. Pilots of the unit in the early 20th century performed long-term [for that time] flights to Nikolsk, Vladivostok, Shkotovo.
It was planned to create naval aviation formation [namely – hydroaviation station] in Vladivostok at Siberian Flotilla as early as 1914, but World War I hindered those intentions.
April 4, 1932 is considered a birthday of PF naval aviation. Heavy bombers brigade and two observation squadrons were founded at that time in the Far East. Naval aviators were first engaged in 1938 near Lake Hasan. During the conflict PF aircrafts carried out about 1,000 combat flights. Naval aviation turned out to be the most effective mobile and multipurpose branch of the Navy capable to hit any opponent's sea and land targets.
By the beginning of the war against Japan in Aug 1945 PF naval aviation had 1,500 aircrafts. One of the main tasks was landing operations support. To disrupt enemy's maritime traffic, bomb attacks were delivered against Korean ports seized by the Japanese.
PF naval aviation saw its bloom in middle 80's. Total strength of aircrafts and helicopters amounted to 628 with serious basing network – in Kamchatka, in Sovetskaya Gavan, in Primorsky Krai and in Cam Ranh. Aircraft carriers Minsk and Novorossiysk were regularly deployed in the World Ocean.
Nowadays PF pilots take off in increasing frequency; personnel have a confidence in tomorrow. Skilled pilots share experience with young aircrews. PF long-range aviation aircrafts are again seen over Pacific and Indian oceans as well as at Arctic latitudes.
Currently, air group of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov including helicopter pilots Lt Col Vladimir Kovalchuk and Maj Alexander Danila carries out anti-piracy mission.
Weather reconnaissance, search and destruction of enemy submarines, rescue of spacecraft and civil vessels in distress – these tasks have been performed by PF naval aviation for 78 years now. At present, this organization is headed by pilot 1 class Col Petr Kiselev.
Source: , photo: ASW aircraft Il-38 (Deita.Ru)
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