Changes will come to the Chkalovsky airfield. Chkalovskaya air base will become a special aviation division Special purpose aviation division

On February 27, 2017, the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense Russian Federation, the air base of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) in the Moscow region was reorganized into a special aviation division.

Aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces at the Chkalovsky airfield (Moscow region), 01/26/2017. In the foreground, a passenger aircraft Tu-154B-2 (registration RA-85360, serial number 79A360), which was part of the 800th Special Purpose Aviation Base (registration RA-85360, serial number 79A360), heading for repairs at Aviakor Aviation Plant in Samara (c) Oleg Gavryushenko / russianplanes.net (link)

The aviation fleet of the VKS connection includes transport and passenger aircraft and helicopters Tu-154, Tu-134, Il-62, Il-76, Il-18, An-148, An-12, An-26, Mi-8 and other aviation equipment.

A special-purpose aviation division of the Aerospace Forces is designed to transport personnel, equipment and cargo in the interests of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, to perform search and rescue support tasks, rescue and evacuation operations, etc.

From the bmpd side, we add, that earlier, on February 23, 2017, the newspaper of the Shchelkovsky district of the Moscow region "Time" reported that "the 8th division was created from the 800th air base at the Chkalovsky airfield," as reported on February 23 at a rally timed to the Defender of the Fatherland Day, the commander of the 8th special aviation division, Sergei Movchan. The pilots, as before, will be based at the Chkalovsky airfield.

"I congratulate all servicemen on February 23rd. This is a significant date for us, because today the 8th Aviation Division has been formed. The tradition has been restored. This is a great holiday for our pilots. I wish the younger generation of defenders that they would sit on their phones less and read more books," - said Sergei Movchan.

State awards were presented to seven pilots in a solemn atmosphere. More than one hundred servicemen of the division were awarded various awards for service.

Bmpd's comment. Thus, the 800th special-purpose aviation base at the Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow was again transformed into the 8th special-purpose aviation division.

Recall that this unit, traditionally responsible for the transportation of the commanding and personnel of the Armed Forces, as well as decisive series other tasks, was formed in October 1942 at the Central Aerodrome named after M.V. Frunze in Moscow as the 2nd Special Purpose Aviation Division (in fact, most of the division's forces were based at the Monino airfield). In 1950 it was renamed into the 2nd Red Banner Aviation Special Purpose Division. Since the end of 1957, the division's management was stationed at Sheremetyevo airport, but in 1960 the division was folded into the 10th separate Red Banner special-purpose aviation brigade and relocated to the Chkalovsky airfield, which is the base of the compound to the present day (the helicopter part of the compound was stationed in Malino). On December 31, 1981, the brigade was reorganized into the 8th Red Banner Aviation Special Purpose Division.

The division carried out the assignments of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command and the Air Force Command of the spacecraft to transport the leaders of the party, government and the Red Army, to redeploy units and formations of the Air Force, to drop parachute troops and paratroopers into the deep rear of the enemy, to deliver ammunition to partisans, and to transport cargo for various purposes.

During the war, the division made 111048 sorties, of which 3408 were especially important. Members of the Government, marshals, generals, officers and other passengers were transported 404362 people and 34,019 tons of cargo.

In December 1943, a flight was made with Stalin, Molotov, Voroshilov, Beria to the Tehran conference.

Among the passengers of the division were also such prominent figures of the Party, Government and Army as Malenkov, Bulganin, Zhukov, Vasilevsky, Shaposhnikov, Budyonny, Timoshenko, Novikov, Voronov and others.

On July 28, 1944, a flight was made with the Polish Committee for National Liberation.

In January-February 1945, a group of crews of the division carried out the task of the Government in connection with the Crimean conference that was taking place.

In April-May 1945, a group of aircraft from the division flew from Moscow to San Francisco with delegates to the United Nations conference.

Division composition

The 800th Air Base (AvB) of the 2nd category, which included the Tu-154B-2 that crashed in Sochi, will be reorganized next year. On its basis, the legendary Special Forces Aviation Division (ADON) will be re-created.

The formation of ADON on the basis of the 800th aviation base of the 2nd category will begin at the beginning next year... The division will be based at the Chkalovsky military airfield near Moscow. This information was officially confirmed to Izvestia by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Prior to the disbandment in 2010, planes and helicopters of the special purpose division transported and, if necessary, evacuated Soviet and Russian military personnel and civilian specialists from hot spots around the planet.

According to experts, the new aviation unit will become the most important logistical element for supporting the military operation in Syria, as well as expanding Russian international military cooperation. The ADON aircraft fleet will include turbojets Tu-134 and Tu-154, transcontinental Il-62 and even rare turboprop Il-18. Everything aircrafts divisions have undergone special revision. In particular, they were equipped with classified communication systems and modern radio navigation equipment, allowing them to fly on international passenger air routes.

ADON traces its history back to the special-purpose aviation link formed in 1927. Later, this military unit was reorganized into an aviation detachment, a squadron, and then a special purpose regiment. In 1942, the air regiment became a brigade, and then a special purpose division. Pilots and navigators of the aviation unit, in addition to transporting people and cargo, tested the latest models of aviation technology, and also carried out unique ultra-long-range flights. On her plane, Joseph Stalin made his only flight by air (to a conference in Tehran).

After the war, the division's flight personnel were involved in the transportation of personnel and cargo around the globe, including Afghanistan, Angola and Vietnam. Aircraft and helicopters of the division were constantly involved in transporting the military-political leadership of the USSR and Russia, as well as ensuring their visits to foreign countries.

In 2010, ADON was disbanded, and on its basis the 800th Aviation Base (AvB) of the 2nd category was formed, where all special-purpose aircraft and helicopters were transferred.

The division was downgraded to the status of an ordinary aviation regiment, - said military historian Dmitry Boltenkov. - The personnel was reduced, and many aircraft were taken out of service and were mothballed in Chkalovsky. The remaining cars were mainly used for the transportation of passengers and goods across the territory of Russia. Only airliners specially equipped for the transportation of the Minister of Defense flew actively abroad.

But with the beginning of the operation in Syria, Tu-154, Il-18 and Il-62 from the 800th airbase became regular guests in the skies of this country. Aircraft not only carry soldiers and officers, but also act as leaders for those flying to the Khmeimim airbase. front-line bombers Su-24 and Su-34 and Su-30 and Su-35 fighters. According to the FlightRadar24 resource, special-purpose aircraft perform several dozen "Syrian" flights every month.

For the transportation of ordinary military personnel with personal belongings and weapons, ordinary civilian airliners are best suited, ”independent military expert Anton Lavrov told Izvestia. “Unlike military transport aircraft, such vehicles have more space for ordinary passengers and are more convenient to fly over long distances in them. Also, airliners are faster and require fewer resources to maintain and operate. Therefore, for the transport of personnel to Afghanistan, Iraq and other remote regions of the world, NATO countries and the United States have long been actively using civilian airliners.

According to the expert, the aircraft of the 800th airbase have become the most important logistical element of the Russian operation in Syria.

Russia is expanding military cooperation with other countries of the world. An exchange of specialists is being carried out, joint military exercises are being conducted, - explained Anton Lavrov. - Taking into account the need to support the Syrian operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, it is necessary to expand the possibilities for air transportation. Therefore, the Russian Ministry of Defense needs more passenger aircraft and their crews, which the newly formed ADON should provide.

According to Izvestia, a newly formed Special Forces Aviation Division (ADON) will appear on the site of the 800th airbase of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The crashed near Sochi TU-154 was included in the park of this base. The reorganization will take place in 2017. ADON will be located on the territory of the Chkalovsky military airfield near Moscow.

The division, disbanded in 2010, was involved in the transportation and sometimes evacuation of military and civilian personnel from combat areas.

According to experts, the updated aviation unit will help provide logistics in various military operations, for example, in Syria. The ADON fleet will include Tu-134 and Tu-154, IL-62 intercontinental jet aircraft and one of the first Soviet Il-18 turboprop airliners. For service in the division, the aircraft were modified. They were equipped with classified communication systems and updated radio navigation equipment, allowing them to fly on international passenger air routes.

ADON was formed from a special-purpose aviation link created in 1927. Over time, this military unit was reorganized into an air squadron, a squadron, and later into a special purpose regiment. In 1942, the aviation regiment was transferred to the special purpose division. During the war, aviation workers were involved in the transportation of people and cargo, and also tested latest designs aircraft technicians and carried out flights over ultra-long distances. Joseph Stalin was flown to the conference in Tehran by a divisional plane. This was his first and only flight.

At the end of the war, the pilots of the division transported personnel and cargo all over the planet, including Afghanistan, Angola and Vietnam. The aircraft and helicopters of the division were involved in the transportation of the military-political leadership of the USSR and Russia, and also provided their visits abroad.

In 2010, ADON was disbanded and an 800 2nd category airbase was created in its place. All special-purpose aircraft and helicopters were transferred to it.

“The division has been downgraded to the status of an ordinary aviation regiment,” said military historian Dmitry Boltenkov. - The personnel was reduced, and many aircraft were taken out of service and were mothballed in Chkalovsky. The remaining cars were mainly used for the transportation of passengers and goods across the territory of Russia. Only airliners specially equipped for the transportation of the Minister of Defense flew actively abroad.

Independent military expert Anton Lavrov told Izvestia that civilian liners are more suitable for delivering soldiers with personal belongings and weapons. They are distinguished from military transport aircraft by their large passenger capacity and convenience for long-distance flights. Such liners have high speed and few resources are spent on maintenance.

Today, the Russian Federation is developing partnerships in the military sphere with other countries. There is an exchange of specialists and joint military exercises. In this regard, the Russian Ministry of Defense needs to increase the number of civilian airliners, which should be provided by the newly formed ADON.

Before the New Year, all information about the deceased Tu-154 disappeared from the air, as ordered. As if someone decided not to stir up public opinion, not to overshadow the holiday for the population. Of course - only out of good intentions ...

Recall: the tragedy occurred at 5:40 Moscow time, 1.7 km from the coast. The liner of the Ministry of Defense flew to the Syrian Khmeimim with a noble mission: to congratulate compatriots performing their military duty there on the holiday. Therefore, the team of the world famous Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov, as well as the founder of the Fair Help Foundation Elizaveta Glinka (Doctor Liza), and journalists were on board. In total - 92 people, eight of them are the crew.

Different versions of the disaster are being put forward. One of the last was presented by the TV channel LifeNews. Allegedly, the board was overloaded, and one of the pilots confused the landing gear and flap retract switches. The version, in our opinion, is untenable. Let us explain why.

Indeed, these toggle switches are located on the dashboard nearby, and the right pilot is responsible for them. But only a beginner can confuse them. All aircraft control skills are developed from the cadet's bench to automatism, to muscle memory. The crew of the RA-85572 has flown thousands of hours; experienced pilots do not make such mistakes, even in a state of extreme fatigue.

The captain of the ship, after the report of the right pilot about the abnormal operation of the flaps, immediately assessed the situation as critical and began to make a right turn towards the shore, in order, apparently, to try to land the board on the water. But he could not get the car out of the roll because of the low height and speed. The plane fell into an uncontrollable fall, hit the tail of the fuselage on the sea surface and collapsed. Apparently, it just came off, after which the right wing of the multi-ton Tu-154 crashed into the water, and it split into several parts. This explains the fact that no large fragments of the fuselage survived, and the passengers were torn from their seats, the bodies were blown away by the current. Until now, they cannot find everyone. According to the "Military-Industrial Courier" at the time of this article's publication, 80 bodies were raised, some of them were simply washed ashore by the wave.

We repeat: it is unlikely that the right-hand pilot could confuse the toggle switches (landing gear and flap control levers) even in a state of extreme fatigue. Flight at night is certainly fraught with stress and risks. But two hours from Chkalovsky to Sochi is not the hardest job, so there is no need to talk about the pilots' fatigue. And even if one of them (let's say) nevertheless accidentally confused the tumblers, he could immediately correct the mistake, realizing that there was emergency situation... It developed for only 10 seconds and, as follows from the deciphered recording of the pilots' negotiations, the right one just shouted “Flaps, bitch, what the fuck!”. That is, he immediately assessed the situation, controlled it, but for some reason could not fix it.

The second reason for the fall is called the overload of the aircraft. However, this, as they say, is past the checkout. The Tu-154 of the Ministry of Defense is not a civilian board from the hinterland. The crashed airliner was based at the Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow and was part of the State Airline 223rd Flight Detachment of the RF Ministry of Defense, which transports military personnel. That is, it had a special status. At a military airfield, the access system is tougher, control of equipment preparation. And in the face of confrontation with the IS banned in Russia, counterintelligence is actively working here - part of the FSB structure. Therefore, it is impossible to deliberately overload the plane with the aim of sabotage. In addition, two aircraft flew to Khmeimim that day. One - with a load charitable aid and gifts that Dr. Glinka was just supposed to distribute, the other - with the passengers.

The Tu-154B-2 modification is designed to carry 180 passengers. In fact, there were 84 of them on board. That is, it was possible to take almost 100 more passengers or an equivalent cargo. But this was not necessary for the above reason. That is why no baggage could be displaced into the tail section of the aircraft and affect the alignment.

The bottom line is low flight altitude: 250-270 meters, which the Tu-154 managed to gain in two minutes. But this is not fatal either. There are known cases of successful landing of such liners on the water. Suffice it to recall the crash landing of a Boeing with failed engines on the Hudson in 2009.

So what then was the fatal circumstance?

“The investigation is still considering six versions of what happened,” the first deputy chief told the Military Industrial Courier. operational management General Staff of the Air Force (1997-2003), leading adviser to the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security (2003-2013) Major General Igor Semenchenko. "But personally, I think it could still be a terrorist act."

Semenchenko knows what he says, since for a long time he was responsible for the investigation of aviation accidents in the Air Force. It is another matter whether it will be possible to find the cause of the terrorist attack, since for its implementation it is not necessary to put an IED in the baggage. It is enough, figuratively speaking, to shove a screwdriver into one of the flap release mechanisms. However, a foreign object could remain there, of course, and accidentally, after Maintenance... But this is already a matter of the investigation.

An indirect confirmation that it was this very circumstance (a foreign object in the flap release mechanisms) that caused the emergency is the decision of the RF Ministry of Defense leadership to transform the State Airline 223rd Flight Detachment FSBI into a special aviation division that existed before. In 2017, the Special Forces Aviation Division (ADON), disbanded in 2010, will be recreated at the Chkalovsky airbase. And although, as the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stated, this is not related to the plane crash, the reincarnation of ADON will certainly not only revive the best traditions of the famous aviation formation, but also create conditions for the life of a real military unit with high executive discipline, a clear organization of life and life of the flight composition.

The aircraft fleet of the reconstructed division will include the turbojet Tu-134 and Tu-154, the transcontinental Il-62 and Il-18, which have been modified and modernized, equipped with the latest electronic equipment. There will, of course, be more modern cars. By the way, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu himself flies on the Tu-154. Thus, ADON will become the most important logistical element for supporting the military operation in Syria. Prior to disbandment in 2010, ADON planes and helicopters transported and evacuated Soviet and Russian military personnel and civilian specialists from hot spots throughout