Belarusian Air Force

On 5 May 1942, on the basis of the Air Forces of the Western Front, the 1st Air Army was created.[3] By General Staff order of 10 January 1949, the Army became the 26th Air Army (ГШ ВС СССР No. ОРГ 120026). In 1980, the 26th Air Army was redesignated the Air Forces of the Belorussian Military District (ГШ ВС СССР 1980 года No. 314/1/00170). On 1 May 1988, in accordance with the Ministry of Defence of the USSR's Decree No. 0018, the Air Forces of the District were again renamed the 26th Air Army. On 15 June 1992, by decree No. 05 of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, the headquarters of the 26th Air Army became the headquarters of the Air Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Aircraft operated by the 26th Air Army and 2nd Air Defence Army, prior to the collapse of the USSR, included the MiG-23, MiG-25, and the Sukhoi Su-22.[4][5][6][7]

The Belarus air forces (26th Air Army and 2nd Air Defence Army) may have begun existence with six major flying regiments: two interceptor, three strike, and a reconnaissance regiment. In January 1992, the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Regiment at Bereza-Osovitsy, Brest Oblast (Military Unit Number 55782) (ru:927-й истребительный авиационный полк) became part of the Air Force of Belarus. In 1993 or 1994, it was renamed as the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base.[8]

Belarusian jets during a flypast in Minsk, July 2019.

In accordance with an edict of the President of Belarus in 2001, the Air Force (VVS) and Air Defence Troops were created as one of the arms of the Armed Forces of Belarus. The VVS and Air Defence Forces were intended to protect population centres such as cities and regions, as well as the administrative, industrial, economic interests of the Republic. They are also intended to defend troops from the impacts of enemy air attacks, and also against the attacks of hostile troops, as well as fire support and the guarantee of combat operations of ground forces. In peacetime, VVS and Air Defense forces are on standby to protect the state boundary in the air and also control of Belarusian airspace. The Air Force is responsible for all military aviation, as the Army maintains no aircraft of its own.

Prior to August 2010, there were six primary airbases: Minsk - Machulishchy (50th Mixed Air Base),[9] Lida (206th Assault Air Base), Baranovichi (61st Fighter Air Base) (Sukhoi Su-27),[10][11][12][13] Ross (116th Bomber-Recon Air Base), Pruzhany (181st Combat Helicopter Base), and Bereza (927th Fighter Air Base).[14]

On 26 August 2010, a reorganisation of the Air Force & Air Defence Force was announced.[14] It was reported that the 206th Assault Aviation Base (Lida) would be reorganized into the 116th Guards Red Banner Assault Base (at Ross) – formerly named the 116th Guards Bomber-Reconnaissance Base, flying Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" and Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" aircraft. The Su-24 bombers were retired. The 206th Assault Aviation Base was reorganised as the 206th Training Center. The Mikoyan MiG-29 "Fulcrum" aircraft and personnel of the 927th Fighter Base (at Bereza) became part of the 61st Fighter Base at Baranovichi. Shortly after the move of MiG-29s to Baranovichi, on 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 crashed during a reported low-altitude flying exercise at the new location (see below). On 24 August 2010, the 927th Konigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base at Bereza was renamed the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Training Center and the use of unmanned aircraft systems.

The air force consists of more than 18,170 personnel, though this number is being reduced. There are now four active airbases:[15]

• Baranovichi (61st Fighter Air Base), flying the MiG-29.[16] The Su-27 aircraft previously flown here were being retired in 2014.[17]
• Lida
  • 116th Red Banner Guards Assault Air Base[18][19][20]
    • 206th Training Centre for Aircrew (L-39C; subordinate to 116 GvShAB)[15]
• Minsk - Machulishchy (50th Composite Air Base) and
• Bereza-Osovcy (927th Red Banner Center for the Preparation and use of Unmanned Aerial Systems) (Irkut-3, Irkut-10)[21][15]

The Belarusian Air Force maintains close links with the Russian Air Force and defense industry.[22][23][24][25]

On 30 August 2009, a Su-27 UBM aircraft crashed on the second day of the Air Show 2009 in Radom killing both pilots.[26][27][28][29]

On 21 April 2010, two MiG-29 aircraft were performing an exercise when they both collided. One managed to land safely, while the other crashed.[30][31]

On 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed.[32][33][34]

On 29 November 2011, a Mi-24 helicopter crashed in a small forest near the village of Novye Zasimovichi. The crew of three people was killed on impact. According to eyewitnesses, there was "thick fog.. the previous evening."[35][36][37]

On 12 June 2012, a Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft crashed near a small village in Belarus. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Gridnyov, lost control of the aircraft when maneuvering at low-altitude.[38] [39] He was ordered to eject, but instead remained on board to make sure the aircraft did not crash into the village.[39] Lt Col Gridnyov died in the crash.

On 11 November 2014, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed.[40] On 23 February 2017, another MiG-29 aircraft crashed. The engine caught fire during takeoff, but the pilot ejected safely at Bobruisk, Mogilev Region.

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• Sergey Burdin (transl. Alan Dawes), 'Belarus Air Force,' Air Forces Monthly, March 2003, 26-30.