Air Force Organization

The Air Force of Ukraine was developed on March 17, 1992 in accordance with the Directive of the Main Staff Chief, Ukrainian Armed Forces. The 24th Air Force Army HQ in Vinnitsa served as the basis to create the Air Force Command. At that time Ukraine maintained 4 Air Force Armies. They included 10 Air Force Divisions, Regiments, Separate Squadrons, training and special institutions and establishments: totally near 600 military units, 2,800 aircraft, more than 120,000 servicemen.

A number of administrative measures were carried out due to the terms of the new military doctrine. The Air Force of Ukraine initially operated five branches: Fighter, Bomber, Attack Aircraft, Reconnaissance, Transport Aviation. They included 2 Air Force Corps (in Lviv and Odessa), Separate Divisions (Heavy Bomber, Long Range and Transport Aviation) and Personnel Education and Training Centers. The Centers were responsible also for R&D and testing of new aircraft.

Bomber Aviation is the main striking force of the Air Force and intended for destruction of troops, aircraft, the Navy and military-industrial and power objects in strategic and operational depth. It is designed to attack and destroy ground and naval targets at strategic and tactical ranges under all weather conditions, effective round the clock. It is equipped with Sukhoi SU-24M (FENCER-D) - supersonic all-weather tactical strike swing-wing aircraft. TU-22M3 (NATO code BACKFIRE) - medium range variable-geometry supersonic bomber and missile carrier has been withdrawn from service.

Assault Aviation provides air support of ground forces and intended for destruction of enemy troops and ground (sea) targets at the tactical depth of the front line. The Attack Aviation purpose is to destroy ground and naval targets at the tactical range, to provide ground and naval forces close support. It uses one type of aircraft Sukhoi SU-25 (NATO code FROGFOOT) - single seat twin-engine subsonic attack plane.

Fighter Aviation carries out the direct air combat with enemy aircraft and intended for aircraft, helicopters, air cruise missiles and terrain (marine) objects destruction. The fighter aviation primary missions are to search and destroy air targets (e.g. plants, helicopters, cruise missiles), to defend friendly territory and to provide combat support of friendly aviation. It has two types of aircraft. Sukhoi SU-27 (NATO code FLANKER) - single seat twin-engined all-weather air superiority fighter. Micoyan MIG-29 (FULCRUM) - single seat twin-engined all-weather tactical fighter.

Reconnaissance Aviation intended for enemy, terrain and weather aerial reconnaissance. The reconnaisence aviation purpose is to provide air survey of ground and naval targets at strategic and tactical range supporting actions by all branches of the Armed Forces. It is equipped with two types of aircraft, plus unmanned aerial vehicle system. Sukhoi SU-24MR (NATO code FENCER-E) - reconnaisence version of the SU-24 bomber with operation range increased to 1900 km. Its main function is to collect varios combat intelligence - photografic, electronic, IR, TV etc. at operative range. Sukhoi SU-17M4R (NATO code FITTER-K) - single seat all-weather swing-wing tactical reconnaissance plane. VR-2 "Strizh" (Swift) - unmanned tactical aircraft for reconnaissance missions in the face of heavy enemy air defence.

Transport aviation intended for lending operations, troops and equipments air carriages. Military Transport Aviation is designed for transfer and airdropping of air borne and paratroper units, for air transportation of troops and combat machinery, for delivery of cargoes, evacuation of the wounded etc. Three main types of aircraft were adopted: Antonov An-12 (CUB) - medium cargo aircraft with four turboprop engine [since phased out], Antonov An-26 (CURL) - light cargo aircraft with two turboprops, and Ilyushin IL-76MD (NATO code CANDID) - medium cargo aircraft with four turbofan engine. These planes were planned to be replaced by one new-generation medium cargo aircraft Antonov AN-70, designed in Ukraine. Tasks solved by planes of the given type include delivery of fuel in air, distant radiosupervision, search and rescue, and sea patrol.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine structurally consisted of aircraft corps, aircraft groups, aircraft units and institutions. Training aviation command is the common operating control center of aviation personnel training of all levels and being the part of The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Ukrainian Falcons" is the name of a Ukrainian Air Force aerobatics team. It flies 6 combat fighters MIG-29. Their "repretoire" boasts most sophisticated group and solo performences, including restricted space missions.

According to the new concept, the basic structure of the Air Force will be abrigade consisting of 4 to 5 squadrons, and 12 to 14 aircraft each. The brigade would have one basic airfield where all structures are based during peacetime and may have up tofour reserve airfields for maneuvers. The brigade might have one or two types(modifications) of the aircraft of the same class. The structure of the Air Force is being improved. Two aviation brigades have been reorganized into tactical aviation and transport aviation brigades. During 2006, 30 military units were disbanded; the personnel strength was reduced by 7,500 persons.

In 2008 Air Forces rearranged the Bombardment-Reconnaissance Brigade into the Tactical Aircraft Brigade and an Aviation Brigade of Transport Aircraft into the Transport Aircraft Brigade was completed The Air Forces’ Scientific Centre subordinated to the Chief of Kharkov University of Air Forces was established. In order to establish the reliable protection of critical State facilities and increase the mobility of Tactical Aircraft Brigades a decision was made to carry out the “Pilot” in transition of a Tactical Aircraft Brigade into a new structure “Brigade - Aviation Base” and rearming a Tactical Aircraft Brigade with Su-27 aircraft.

Branches
Bomber Aviation "Accurate, Swift, Strong"	Assault Aviation "Surprise, Hit, Destroy"	Fighter Aviation "Speed, Maneuverability, Firepower"
Reconnaissance Long Range Aviation "Alert, Quick, Authentic"	Transport aviation "Stong, Reliable, Worldwide"
Aviation Corps, Divisions & Groups
Lviv Aviation Corps	Odessa Aviation Corps
Heavy Bomber Division	Long-Range Aviation Division	Transport Division
Rapid Reaction Group
Aviation Regiments & Companies
806th Bomber Aviation Company
243rd Mixed Aviation Regiment	Strike/Bomber Regiment	Strike/Bomber Regiment
Strike Regiment	Strike Regiment
114th Fighter Aviation Company	Fighter Regiment	Fighter Regiment
Fighter Regiment	Fighter Regiment	Fighter Regiment
Fighter Regiment
Reconnaissance Regiment
Transport Regiment	Transport Regiment
Training Regiment	Training Regiment	Training Regiment
Training Regiment	Training Regiment