22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division
Encyclopedia
The 22nd Guards Donbass Red Banner Heavy Bomber Aviation Division was a Soviet Air Forces formation. It was a Long Range Aviation
division active from 1942 to 2008-9. Included in the 37th Air Army High Command
. Commander of the division was Major General
Alexander Blazhenko. It saw illustrious service during the Second World War, including supply of the Red Army
in the Demyansk Pocket and the bombing of Berlin.
near the Ryazan-based 22nd Air Division.
The regiments of the newly created military units were equipped with TB-3 heavy bombers.
By mid-April 1942 formed the division relocated to the outskirts of Moscow airports Monino
and Noginsk
. At that time the division was part of the 6th Air Corps Long-Range.
The first flights were completed April 16, 1942 in North-Western Front
Western
Crimean
and Voronezh
fronts. The main task was to deliver cargo troops. Crews regiments of the division involved in the supply of the Red Army had kept the Germans in the Demyansk pocket
. During the second half of April was carried out 324 sorties, dropped 323 tons of cargo. Cargoes discharged without parachutes from an altitude of 100 - 400 m. In April, the division suffered the first losses - some TB-3 was shot down by night fighters. In September 1942, regiments of the division were rearmed with Li-2 aircraft, which were used as bombers.
From September 1942 to February 1943 the regiments of the divisions based on the ground Michurinsky aerouzla and worked for Stalingrad
and Don Front
s. Completed the division of war in the skies over Berlin
and Swinemunde. The last raid was made on Swinoujscie May 2, 1945.
into the 18th Air Army and the dissolution of 6th Aviation Corps Long-Range, the Division from December 22, 1944 joined the 3rd Guards Bomber Aviation Corps. Directive of General Staff of the number Org/10/315706 December 26, 1944 the division was renamed the 22nd Guards Donbass Bomber Division.
Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for his exemplary fulfillment of the command in the battles against the German invaders in the capture of the German capital - of Berlin, and displaying courage and heroism, the division was awarded the Order of Red Banner.
During the war, the crews of the division completed 14,965 sorties, dropping 14,178 tons of bombs destroyed 59 crossings, 10 g / d of nodes, destroyed 38 g / d trains, 30 aircraft on the ground, blown up 43 warehouses with ammunition and fuel .
For excellent military operations during World War II, the division was honored with the Supreme Commander's gratitude 13 times.
330th Bomber Aviation Regiment disbanded November 24, 1949.
In 1950, division flyers were among one of the first in the Air Force to master the new Tu-4 long-range bomber . Then, in 1955, the division was the first in Long Range Aviation
to receive the Tupulev Tu-16 jet bomber. And in 1964 - the supersonic missile Tu-22. In 1986 it had mastered the long-range bomber Tu-22M3. At the armed 121st TBAP is a strategic Tu-160. The crews of the connection belongs to the leadership in the development of in-flight refueling supersonic missile.
Since 1980, the division was part of the 46th Air Army VGK.
After the start of transformation of 22nd Guards TBAD regiments were (in 1960-1980, respectively):
In the late 1980s, 121 and 203 Guards Guards TBAP were reassigned to the 15th Guards Heavy Bomber Air Division, and in the 22th TBAD became the 260th TBAP, formerly part of the 15th TBAD.
As of 1991 was part of the 46th Air Army. In the division were:
airbase near Saratov
. On September 1, 1994 this is a permanent airbase stationed Division.
The command of the division was located at Engels-2
air base.
In 2004 the division's commander was Maj Gen Anatoly Zhikharev. The same year, the division was awarded the Defense Minister's banner for courage, military prowess and a high standard of military training. On 17.01.2004: flight trainings (11 Tu-160 flights).
In June 2006, two aircraft took part in "Shield of Union" joint Russian-Belorussian exercises. In September 2006 command-staff exercises and missile launches took place. In July 2007, flight exercises took place. In October that year, the site was inspected by AF staff. In August 2008 two Tu-160 flew over the Atlantic Ocean
and the North Pole. 11.09.2008 flight to Venezuela. 21.01.2009 two Tu-160 12 hours flight in Norway Sea and North Pole region. Planned staff 2009: 16 Tu-160 + 14 Tu-95MS. 06.2009 2 Tu-95MS patrol over North and Atlantic ocean. 21.10.2009 flight patrol by 2 Tu-160 and 2 Tu-95MS. 18-19.11 and 24-25.11.2009 patrol over North Atlantic Ocean. 18.12.2009 Tu-95 flight patrol. 01,02,04,06.2010 patrol flights.
The composition of the division as of 2008-09 included:
As part of the Russian military reform (2008), the division was disbanded and reorganised as the 6950th Aviation Base, incorporating the former 121st and 184th Regiments. The unit's full honorific title is the 6950th Guards Donbass Red Banner Airbase, and its military unit number is unit # 06987.
Long Range Aviation
Long Range Aviation was the branch of the Soviet Air Forces tasked with long-range bombardment of strategic targets with nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, it was the counterpart to the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force....
division active from 1942 to 2008-9. Included in the 37th Air Army High Command
37th Air Army
The 37th Air Army of the High Supreme Command was the strategic bomber force of the Russian Air Force from 1998 to 2009...
. Commander of the division was Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Alexander Blazhenko. It saw illustrious service during the Second World War, including supply of the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
in the Demyansk Pocket and the bombing of Berlin.
62nd Aviation Division long-range
The division was originally formed as the 62nd Aviation Division long-range order on the basis of a State Defence Committee Order of March 5, 1942 and Long-Range Aviation Commander Lieutenant General Aviation Golovanov on 06 March 1942. The division was formed at the air base DyagilevoDyagilevo
Dyagilevo is an air base in Ryazan Oblast, Russia located 3 km west of Ryazan. It has served as a training center for Russia's strategic bomber force....
near the Ryazan-based 22nd Air Division.
The regiments of the newly created military units were equipped with TB-3 heavy bombers.
By mid-April 1942 formed the division relocated to the outskirts of Moscow airports Monino
Monino
Monino is an urban locality in Shchyolkovsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, situated east of Moscow. Population:...
and Noginsk
Noginsk
Noginsk is a town and the administrative center of Noginsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, located east of the MKAD ring road on the Klyazma River. Population:...
. At that time the division was part of the 6th Air Corps Long-Range.
The first flights were completed April 16, 1942 in North-Western Front
North-Western Front
The Northwestern Front was a military formation of the Red Army during the Winter War and World War II. It was operational with the 7th and 13th Armies during the Winter War. It was re-created on June 22, 1941, the first day of the Soviet-German War on the basis of the Baltic Special Military...
Western
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
Crimean
Crimean Front
The Crimean Front was one of the Soviet Army fronts of World War II. It was commanded throughout its existence by Dmitr Timofeyevich Kozlov and was made up of the Soviet 44th, 47th and 51st Armies...
and Voronezh
Voronezh Front
The Voronezh Front was a front of the Soviet Union's Red Army during the Second World War. The name indicated the primary geographical region in which the Front first fought, based on the town of Voronezh on the Don River....
fronts. The main task was to deliver cargo troops. Crews regiments of the division involved in the supply of the Red Army had kept the Germans in the Demyansk pocket
Demyansk Pocket
The Demyansk Pocket was the name given for the encirclement of German troops by the Red Army around Demyansk , south of Leningrad, during World War II on the Eastern Front. The pocket existed mainly from 8 February-21 April 1942. A much smaller pocket was simultaneously surrounded in Kholm, about ...
. During the second half of April was carried out 324 sorties, dropped 323 tons of cargo. Cargoes discharged without parachutes from an altitude of 100 - 400 m. In April, the division suffered the first losses - some TB-3 was shot down by night fighters. In September 1942, regiments of the division were rearmed with Li-2 aircraft, which were used as bombers.
From September 1942 to February 1943 the regiments of the divisions based on the ground Michurinsky aerouzla and worked for Stalingrad
Stalingrad Front
The Stalingrad Front was a front of the Soviet Union's Red Army during the Second World War. The name indicated the primary geographical region in which the Front first fought, based on the city of Stalingrad on the Volga River....
and Don Front
Don Front
The Don Front was a front of the Soviet Union's Red Army during the Second World War. The name refers to Don River, Russia....
s. Completed the division of war in the skies over Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and Swinemunde. The last raid was made on Swinoujscie May 2, 1945.
9th Guards Aviation Division Long Range
For showing courage in fighting for their homeland against the German invaders, with persistence, discipline and organization, for heroism, the order of People's Commissariat of Defense (NKO) under the number 274 of September 18, 1943 the division was awarded the title of Guards. She became known as the 9th Guards Aviation Division Long-range, and 18 September, has since become an annual day of celebration Division. Later, the order of the NKO USSR May 27, 1944, to commemorate the victories in participating in the battles for the liberation of Donbass, the division was given the honorary name of Donbas .22nd Guards Bomber Aviation Division Donbass
In connection with the transformation of Long Range AviationLong Range Aviation
Long Range Aviation was the branch of the Soviet Air Forces tasked with long-range bombardment of strategic targets with nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, it was the counterpart to the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force....
into the 18th Air Army and the dissolution of 6th Aviation Corps Long-Range, the Division from December 22, 1944 joined the 3rd Guards Bomber Aviation Corps. Directive of General Staff of the number Org/10/315706 December 26, 1944 the division was renamed the 22nd Guards Donbass Bomber Division.
Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for his exemplary fulfillment of the command in the battles against the German invaders in the capture of the German capital - of Berlin, and displaying courage and heroism, the division was awarded the Order of Red Banner.
During the war, the crews of the division completed 14,965 sorties, dropping 14,178 tons of bombs destroyed 59 crossings, 10 g / d of nodes, destroyed 38 g / d trains, 30 aircraft on the ground, blown up 43 warehouses with ammunition and fuel .
For excellent military operations during World War II, the division was honored with the Supreme Commander's gratitude 13 times.
Composition during WWII
| Regiment name | Period with division | Previous name (i) | Previous name (ii) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment Stalin's Redso called from 12/26/1944 to 05/09/1945. | Part of the division from 06.03.1942 on 01.05.1946. | The 14th Aviation Regiment-range (c 06.03.1942 to 26.03.1943) | 11th Guards Air Regiment, Stalin's Red long-range (with 26/03/1943 to 12/26/1944). |
| 220th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment so called from 12/26/1944 to 05/09/1945. | Part of the division from 06.03.1942 on 04.05.1946. | 4th Guards Stalingrad Red long-range aviation regiment (with 08/18/1942 to 12/26/1944). | 250th Aviation Regiment-range (from 04/16/1942 to 08/18/1942) |
| 325th Aviation Regiment-range - so called from 03/06/1942 to 19/08/1944. | Part of the division from 3.6.42 to 19.8.44. | ||
| 339th Bomber Aviation Regiment - so called from 12/26/44 to 07/09/47. | Part of the division with 3.19.44 on 7.9.47. | 339th Bomber Regiment Long-Range (from 19.03.1944 to 12.26.44). | |
Cold War History
In April 1946 the division's units included:- 200th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (Bobruisk, Mogilev Oblast) with B-25
- 210th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment (Zyabrovka, Gomel Oblast) with B-25
- 111th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Bobruisk, Mogilev Oblast) with B-25
- 330th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Bobruisk, Mogilev Oblast) with B-25
330th Bomber Aviation Regiment disbanded November 24, 1949.
In 1950, division flyers were among one of the first in the Air Force to master the new Tu-4 long-range bomber . Then, in 1955, the division was the first in Long Range Aviation
Long Range Aviation
Long Range Aviation was the branch of the Soviet Air Forces tasked with long-range bombardment of strategic targets with nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, it was the counterpart to the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force....
to receive the Tupulev Tu-16 jet bomber. And in 1964 - the supersonic missile Tu-22. In 1986 it had mastered the long-range bomber Tu-22M3. At the armed 121st TBAP is a strategic Tu-160. The crews of the connection belongs to the leadership in the development of in-flight refueling supersonic missile.
Since 1980, the division was part of the 46th Air Army VGK.
After the start of transformation of 22nd Guards TBAD regiments were (in 1960-1980, respectively):
- 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (Machulishchy, Belarus)
- 200th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (Bobruisk, Belarus)
- 203rd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (BaranovichiBaranovichiBaranovichi , is a city in the Brest Province of western Belarus with a population of 173,000. It is a significant railway junction and home to a state university.-Overview:...
, Belarus) - 210th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment, retired from the Division November 13, 1959
- 111th Bomber Aviation Regiment, disbanded February 1, 1971
In the late 1980s, 121 and 203 Guards Guards TBAP were reassigned to the 15th Guards Heavy Bomber Air Division, and in the 22th TBAD became the 260th TBAP, formerly part of the 15th TBAD.
As of 1991 was part of the 46th Air Army. In the division were:
- 200th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (aircraft Tu-22M3 Bobruisk, Belarus),, removed from the division in 1993 in connection with the relocation of the division from Belarus to the Urals.
- 260th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (aircraft Tu-22M3 Tu-16 Stryi (air base)Stryi (air base)Stryi is an air base in Lviv Oblast, Ukraine located 4 km southwest of Stryi...
, Ukraine)
History from 1991
After the collapse of the Soviet Union directive of the General Staff from May 20, 1994 the division headquarters were ordered to relocate to Engels-2Engels-2
Engels Air Force Base is a strategic air base in Russia located east of Saratov. Engels is a major bomber operations base, and is Russia's sole operating location for the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers. The base contains a runway and about 10 large revetments...
airbase near Saratov
Saratov
-Modern Saratov:The Saratov region is highly industrialized, due in part to the rich in natural and industrial resources of the area. The region is also one of the more important and largest cultural and scientific centres in Russia...
. On September 1, 1994 this is a permanent airbase stationed Division.
The command of the division was located at Engels-2
Engels-2
Engels Air Force Base is a strategic air base in Russia located east of Saratov. Engels is a major bomber operations base, and is Russia's sole operating location for the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers. The base contains a runway and about 10 large revetments...
air base.
- 203rd Guards Air Regiment Orlovsky (air tankers), after the relocation to Ryazan to September 1, 2000 transferred to the direct subordination of the Commander of the 37th VA VGK (SN)
- 182nd Guards Heavy Bomber Air Sevastopol-Berlin Red Regiment, retired from the Division May 1, 1998
In 2004 the division's commander was Maj Gen Anatoly Zhikharev. The same year, the division was awarded the Defense Minister's banner for courage, military prowess and a high standard of military training. On 17.01.2004: flight trainings (11 Tu-160 flights).
In June 2006, two aircraft took part in "Shield of Union" joint Russian-Belorussian exercises. In September 2006 command-staff exercises and missile launches took place. In July 2007, flight exercises took place. In October that year, the site was inspected by AF staff. In August 2008 two Tu-160 flew over the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and the North Pole. 11.09.2008 flight to Venezuela. 21.01.2009 two Tu-160 12 hours flight in Norway Sea and North Pole region. Planned staff 2009: 16 Tu-160 + 14 Tu-95MS. 06.2009 2 Tu-95MS patrol over North and Atlantic ocean. 21.10.2009 flight patrol by 2 Tu-160 and 2 Tu-95MS. 18-19.11 and 24-25.11.2009 patrol over North Atlantic Ocean. 18.12.2009 Tu-95 flight patrol. 01,02,04,06.2010 patrol flights.
The composition of the division as of 2008-09 included:
- 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (Tu-160 aircraft) (Engels-2Engels-2Engels Air Force Base is a strategic air base in Russia located east of Saratov. Engels is a major bomber operations base, and is Russia's sole operating location for the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers. The base contains a runway and about 10 large revetments...
airbase); - 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (Tu-95MS aircraft) (Engels-2Engels-2Engels Air Force Base is a strategic air base in Russia located east of Saratov. Engels is a major bomber operations base, and is Russia's sole operating location for the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers. The base contains a runway and about 10 large revetments...
airbase); - 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (Tu-22M3 aircraft) (ShaykovkaShaykovkaShaykovka , also given variously as Kirov Shaykovka, Anisovo Gorod, Anisovo Gorodishche, Shaykovo, Shajkovka, Gorodische, Chaikovka, is an air base in Kaluga Oblast, Russia located 17 km north of Kirov, Kaluga Oblast. It is a large airfield with hangars and an extensive alert area for fighters...
); - 840th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (Tu-22M3 aircraft) (SoltsySoltsy-2Soltsy-2 is an air base in Novgorod Oblast, Russia located 2 km north of Soltsy and 72 km southwest of Novgorod...
).
As part of the Russian military reform (2008), the division was disbanded and reorganised as the 6950th Aviation Base, incorporating the former 121st and 184th Regiments. The unit's full honorific title is the 6950th Guards Donbass Red Banner Airbase, and its military unit number is unit # 06987.
Sources
- online resource allaces.ru, dedicated to military aviation.
- article about the division for the 90th anniversary of Long-Range Aviation of Russia
- 65 years from the date of the assignment 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Division Donbass Red Banner of the name "Guards", magazine "Aviation and Space», № 10, October 2008 C. 1-3