It traced its origins to the 12th Air Army, formed during World War II, and served in the Transbaikal region for the entirety of its existence.
In July 1957 the army was redesignated the Air Forces of the Transbaikal Military District.
In 1961 or 1969 the 189th Guards Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment arrived from Poland to Chindant-2 (likely the base also known as Borzya-2) in the Chita Oblast.
In 1980 the army was again redesignated the Air Forces of the Tranbaikal Military District.
The 313th Independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment joined 23rd Air Army in December 1993-January 1994, arriving from Georgia to Chindant-2 / Borzya-2.