Belarusian Air Force
The Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Republic of Belarus (, ""Vajenna-pavietranyja sily i vojski supraćpavietranaj abarony Respubliki Bielaruś"") is the air force of the Armed Forces of Belarus, formed in 1992 from the 26th Air Army of the Soviet Air Forces which had been serving in the Byelorussian SSR. History. Soviet era. On 5 May 1942, on the basis of the Air Forces of the Western Front, the 1st Air Army was created. In January 1949, the Army became the 26th Air Army (ГШ ВС СССР No. ОРГ 120026). In 1980, the 26th Air  Army was redesignated the Air Forces of the Belorussian Military District (ГШ ВС СССР 1980 года No. 314/1/00170). In May 1988 the Air Forces of the District were again renamed the 26th Air Army. In June 1992, the headquarters of the 26th Air Army became the headquarters of the Air Forces of the Republic of Belarus. Aircraft operated by the 26th Air Army and 2nd Air Defence Army, prior to the collapse of the USSR, included the MiG-23, MiG-25, and the Sukhoi Su-22. Independence and establishment. The Belarusian air force (26th Air Army and 2nd Air Defence Army) may have  begun existence with six major flying regiments: two interceptor, three strike, and a reconnaissance regiment. In January 1992, the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Regiment at Bereza-Osovitsy, Brest Oblast (Military Unit Number 55782) () became part of the Air Force of Belarus. In 1993 or 1994, it was renamed as the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base. In 2001, the Air Force (VVS) and Air Defence Troops were created as one of the arms of the Armed Forces of Belarus. Commanders-in-Chief. List of Commanders of the Air and Air  Defence Forces: Mission and functions. The VVS and Air Defence Forces were intended to protect population centres such as cities and regions, as well as the administrative, industrial, economic interests of the Republic. They are also intended to defend troops from the impacts of enemy air attacks, and also against the attacks of hostile troops, as well as fire support and the guarantee of combat operations of ground forces. In peacetime, VVS and Air Defense forces are on standby to protect the state boundary in the air and also control of Belarusian airspace. The Air Force is responsible for all  military aviation, as the Army maintains no aircraft of its own. Organization. Prior to August 2010, there were six primary airbases: On 26 August 2010, a reorganisation of the Air Force & Air Defence Force was announced. It was reported that the 206th Assault Aviation Base (Lida) would be reorganized into the 116th Guards Red Banner Assault Base (at Ross) – formerly named the 116th Guards Bomber-Reconnaissance Base, flying Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" and Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" aircraft. The Su-24 bombers were retired. The 206th Assault Aviation Base was reorganised as the 206th Training Center. The Mikoyan MiG-29 "Fulcrum" aircraft and personnel  of the 927th Fighter Base (at Bereza) became part of the 61st Fighter Base at Baranovichi. Shortly after the move of MiG-29s to Baranovichi, on 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 crashed during a reported low-altitude flying exercise at the new location (see below). On 24 August 2010, the 927th Konigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Air Base at Bereza was renamed the 927th Koenigsberg Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Training Center and the use of unmanned aircraft systems. The air force consists of more than 18,170 personnel, though this number is being reduced. There are now  four active airbases: The Belarusian Air Force maintains close links with the Russian Air Force and defense industry. Incidents and accidents. On 30 August 2009, an Su-27 UBM aircraft crashed on the second day of the Air Show 2009 in Radom killing both pilots. On 21 April 2010, two MiG-29 aircraft were performing an exercise when they both collided. One managed to land safely, while the other crashed. On 23 September 2010, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed. On 29 November 2011, a Mi-24 helicopter crashed in a small forest near the village of Novye Zasimovichi. The crew of three people was  killed on impact. According to eyewitnesses, there was ""A thick fog... the previous evening"". On 12 June 2012, a Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft crashed near a small village in Belarus. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Gridnyov, lost control of the aircraft when maneuvering at low-altitude. On 11 November 2014, a MiG-29 aircraft crashed. On 23 February 2017, another MiG-29 aircraft crashed. The engine caught fire during takeoff, but the pilot ejected safely at Bobruisk, Mogilev Region. On 19 May 2021, a Yakovlev Yak-130 aircraft crashed in Baranavichy, causing minor damage to one house in the city. Two pilots ejected but  died. Intercept of Ryanair Flight 4978. On 23 May 2021, Irish Ryanair Flight FR4978 (Athens—Vilnius) was intercepted by a Belarusian MIG-29 prior to crossing into Lithuanian airspace and diverted to Minsk National Airport. In Minsk, the Belarusian opposition activist and journalist Roman Protasevich was removed from the plane and arrested. Protasevich had previously fled Belarus and the Belarusian authorities added him to a wanted list in 2020 after he helped organize major protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. His partner was also arrested. According to the national press service of Belarus, the Belarusian Air Force MiG-29 fighter was sent to  escort the aircraft to Minsk on the orders of Lukashenko. Symbols. Emblem. The heraldic sign is the emblem of the Air Force, which was approved in April 2003. It is a stylized golden image of an arrow, lightning bolts and wings, combined with a wreath of golden oak and laurel branches, located in the center of a blue baroque shield, crowned with a five-pointed gold star. The shield is located against the background of a silver medal star. Flag. The flag of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces was approved on January 19, 2005. The flag is a  rectangular blue cloth, with the center consisting of four main and four additional directions of eight rays of golden color. In the center is the emblem of the Air Force. The flag has the same pattern on the front and back sides. Belaya Rus. Belaya Rus is the aerobatic team of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces, performing aerobatics from combat training Aero L-39 Albatros. The team performs at aviation event and public holidays in Belarus. Aircraft. Retired aircraft. Aircraft operated by the Air Force, inherited at the dissolution of the Soviet Union were the MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-27, Sukhoi  Su-22, Sukhoi Su-24 and the Sukhoi Su-27.