Mongolian Arat squadron

Mongolian Arat Air Squadron
A Lavochkin La-5F in the markings of the squadron, with the «Монгольский арат» nose art of the squadron.
Active 1925-1945
Disbanded 1945
Country Mongolian People's Republic
Branch Mongolian People's Army

The Mongolian Arat squadron (Russian: эскадрилья «Монгольский арат», tr. Eskadrilya «Mongolski arat», Mongolian: "Монгол ард" нисэх онгоцны эскадриль, translit. "Mongol ard" nisekh ongotsny eskadril, "Mongolian People's Air Squadron") was a fighter squadron in the Soviet Air Force, funded by contributions from the Mongolian People's Republic. It was operational during World War II and the Cold War. The Mongolian word "ard" (ард) means "people", but was malapropriated in Russian and other languages as "Arat" (арат) to mean a nomadic pastoralist or herdsman.

In March 1943, following the presentation of the "Revolutionary Mongolia" tank brigade to the Red Army, the Little Khural (parliament) of Mongolia, under Gonchigiin Bumtsend, announced its intention to fund a fighter squadron within the Soviet Air Force.[1] The squadron was given 12 Lavochkin La-5 fighters in a formal ceremony and formed part of the 2nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment.[2] Despite its name, the pilots and personnel of the unit were Russian rather than Mongolian.

The Squadron's commander, Aleksandr Ivanovich Maiorov, was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union medal.

Inventory

The Mongolian People's Air Force has operated a variety of aircraft types.[3]

Trainer


Bomber and ground-attack aircraft


Fighter aircraft


Transport aircraft


Citations

  1. ↑ Sanders 2010, p. l.
  2. ↑ "The World at War - Mongolia 1911-1946".
  3. ↑ Walg Air Enthusiast November/December 1996, pp. 18–19.

Bibliography

  • Sanders, Alan J. K. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Mongolia (3rd ed.). Plymouth: Scarecrow Press.
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