Soviet Air Force Cold War - 1980s
In March 1980 under the personal direction of Defense Minister Dmitri Ustinov it was decided to conduct trials in "special circumstances" - in the area of actual fighting in the Republic of Afghanistan. The test program was called "Diamond". In early June 1980, the operation "Rhombus" has been successfully completed, the test program is executed and a pair of Su-25 safely returned to the Soviet Union. And in May 1981 the first batch of 12 production Su-25 entered service in the 200th separate assault aviation squadron.
In the Air Force in 1960s-1980s were mainly:
- Long-range aviation (DA) - strategic bombers;
- Frontal Aviation (FA) - fighters, fighter-bombers, attack planes, bombers, provides excellence in the air in the border areas and the interception of aircraft of NATO;
- Military Transport Aviation (VTA) to transport troops.
Soviet Air Force in the beginning of 1980 consisted of long-distance, Frontline, military and military-transport aircraft. The basis of their striking power was long-range aviation, equipped with supersonic missile carriers and bombers, long-range, able to mow strikes on the most important land and sea enemy targets in the continental and oceanic (sea) theaters.
Frontal Aviation, which had armed bombers, fighter-bombers , attack aircraft, fighters, reconnaissance, able to fight with nuclear missiles and enemy aircraft, its reserves, to carry out air support of ground forces, conduct aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare at the operational and tactical depth of the enemy defense.
Military transport aviation, being armed with modern heavy aircraft, capable to throw away and landed troops with standard weapons (including tanks, guns, missiles), carry on the long-range air force, weapons, ammunition and material resources to ensure the maneuver of aviation formations and units to evacuate the wounded and sick, as well as to electronic warfare and perform special tasks.
The troops of defense of the USSR was a separate view of the Armed Forces, not members of the Air Force, but had its aviation divisions (mainly fighter). In the course of the reorganization in 1981 Air Defense Forces came under greater dependence on the Air Force. Aviation Navy command was part of the subordination of the Soviet Navy.
Attempts by the military and political leadership of the country at the turn of 1970-1980s held another fundamental reorganization of the Armed Forces of the USSR led to a breakdown of the existing structure of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. As a result, the air army tactical aviation contrary to the theory and practice have been converted to the Air Force of the military districts and subordinate to their leadership. air defense troops again divided into cross-border territory and the hinterland of the country with different schemes troop leadership. In subsequent years, innovation will not stand the test of time and required a peaceful return to the previous organizational structure.
In the 1980s, the Air Force continued to accumulate combat experience in the provision of international assistance to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (1979-1989 gg.), Torn by internal political tensions. During this period, for the courage and personal courage 22 pilot Air Force awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union Colonel VA Burkov, AS Golovanov VS Cat, VE Pavlov AV Rutskoi, GP Khaustov; Lieutenant Colonel EI Zelnyakov, NI Kovalev, AN Levchenko, VN Ochirov, VM Writing, AM Railean, PV Ruban; Majors VK Gainutdinov, VA Kovalev, MI Malyshev, VV Shcherbakov; Captains VA Kucherenko, NS Maidan, SV Filipchenko; senior lieutenants VF Goncharenko, KE Pavlyukov.
Actions of Soviet aircraft in difficult mountain conditions for numerically small, agile teams enemy demanded the revival in the Air Force attack aircraft. Its basis was a special aircraft Su-25, which showed during the military conflict high flight tactical and combat skills.
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