Ivan Fomich Pavlov (Russian: Иван Фомич Павлов; 25 June 1922 – 12 October 1950) was a ground attack pilot of the Soviet Air Forces during World War II.

He served as both a flight and squadron commander in 6th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment during the conflict, for which he was twice named a Hero of the Soviet Union.

[1][2] Pavlov continued flight training after the German invasion of the Soviet Union and in May 1942 graduated from the pilots' school with the rank of sergeant.

Over the Rzhev area, he entered an air battle with German fighters on 23 August and was credited with downing one Bf 109 on his severely damaged Il-2.

[3] In the fall of 1942 he was credited with the destruction of four steam engines, ten train cars, eight guns, 32 vehicles, thirteen wagons with cargo, and up to 130 German soldiers.

In March 1943 Pavlov completed a special mission to drop 15,000 rounds of ammunition to a surrounded partisan group despite difficult weather conditions.

Diving from an altitude of 700 meters, making 3–5 runs on the targets, he effectively attacked German artillery, mortar and anti-aircraft batteries.

Leading a group of six Il-2s on 23 August, in the attack against a fortified point in the area of the village of Buyantsevo, Pavlov was personally credited with the destruction of a field artillery gun, two mortars, three vehicles, and more than thirty soldiers.

[4] When the news of the award reached his home area a collection was organized and funds were raised for the completion of four ground-attack aircraft for his squadron, one of which was presented to Pavlov himself.

After the war, Shukanov wrote the book Trajectory of a Feat in which he warmly praised Pavlov and recalled the combat sorties he flew with the pilot.

Having completed another 77 sorties by 16 October, Pavlov, now a squadron commander, was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for a second time on 23 February 1945.

In November 1949 he graduated from the academy before taking command of the 947th Assault Aviation Regiment, at Dubno in western Ukraine in the Carpathian Military District, in January 1950.

Pavlov was killed in the crash of his Il-10 in the area of the village of Mikhailovka, Chernoarmeysky Raion during a night training flight on 12 October 1950.