Russian Air Force Day

[3][4][5] The first aviation exhibition was held on 18 August 1933,[1][6] at the initiative of Yakov Alksnis at Moscow's Khodynka Aerodrome.

On 28 September 1992, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Russia fixed this date as Russian Air Force Day.

[9] The modern holiday was introduced to the Russian Armed Forces by President Vladimir Putin on 31 May 2006.

[10][11][12] The date was chosen based on the fact that 12 August 1912 marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Imperial Russian Air Service,[13][14][15] which was formerly part of the Engineer Corps.

[20] The 2012 Air Force Day celebrations marked the centennial of Russian military aviation, being attended by President Vladimir Putin.