NO(^52) THE MAGAZINE 01 53
SCANDINAVIAN
AVIATION MAGAZINE
Ukraine frontline fighters
At the heart of the Ukrainian Air Force is
a selection of legacy Soviet build fighters,
consisting of Sukhoi Su-27’s and Mikoyan MiG-
29’s. Both types have been in Ukrainian service
since the 1980’s and are gradually increasing in
numbers. Ukraine inherited a large inventory of
aircraft from the Soviet Union. These were mostly
decommissioned and stored as the nation had
little use or funding to keep a large fleet active.
However, in 2014 Ukraine began a program
of restoring the stored aircraft to active duty.
Following the March 2014 Russian annexation of
Crimea and the following violence and insurgency
in east Ukraine, Ukraine tried to increase its
defence spending and capabilities, with returning
equipment to service being a key part of the
spending drive. Since 12 July 2014 the Ukrainian
Air Force has been put on full combat alert.
Air Command Center
Part of Air Command Center, situated at Vasylkiv
just South-West of the capital Kiev, are 40th
Tactical Aviation Brigade and 831st Tactical
Aviation Brigade operating the legacy fighters.
Operating out of Vasylkiv Air Base, is 40th Tactical
Aviation Brigade. Since 1993 the regiment has
been bases at Vasylkiv Air Base. In 2000 the 40th
Fighter Wing was formed on a base of the 92nd
regiment, and in 2007 it was re-named into the
40th “Red Banner” Tactical Aviation Brigade.
The Red Banner designation is part of the long
history of the unit. On the 28th of April 1945 the
92 Fighter Aviation Regiment was awarded with
the Order of the Red Banner for the exemplary
performance of combat missions during the
liberation of Hungary. In 2012 the 39th Tactical
Aviation Squadron, operating Su-27’s at the
time, based at Ozerne Air Base merged with
40th TAB. The 39th TAS will turn into an
independent squadron in 2018, when the unit
will convert into the 9th Tactical Air Brigade.
As one of three main MiG-29 operators in
Ukraine, 40th TAB is mainly tasked with the
defence of the capital and simultaneously looking
to the boarders in the East and in the North. With
the high level of preparation of flying personnel,
both new pilots and more seasoned pilots and
their combat capabilities, the unit takes one of
the leading positions in the Ukrainian Air Force.
National and international operations
Situated around 230 kilometres to the East of
Kiev is Myrgorod Air Base, home of 831st Tactical
Aviation Brigade, one of two operating bases
of the Su-27 within the Ukrainian Air Force. The
roots of the unit date back to the second World
War, while the current form the units operates in,
831st TAB, was established on August 1st 2003
on the basis of 831st Aviation Regiment. The
aviation brigade has the permanent operation
readiness due to their location close to the East
and regularly executes combat missions in
defence of air borders.
The unit has been heavily involved in the conflict
in the Eastern part of the country since 2014.
Their personnel need high proficiency and
morale to perform combat air defence patrolling
missions against Russian aggression and attacks
of international terrorism. Permanent combat
training is key to retaining the advantage in the
air. During 2014-1016 the technicians of the unit
considerably improved the maintenance and
readiness of the aircraft which has contributed to
increased operational availability.
Both units have been involved in many national
and international joint operations. In 2011,
during the preparation for the European Football
Championship, held in Ukraine and Poland the
following year, an international exercise called
“Safe skies 2011” took place at Myrgorod Air
Base. The exercise, which saw participation of
American fighter planes and cooperation with the
Polish Air Force, focussed on joint operations to
act against a possible terrorist attack from the air
as well as joint air traffic management.
During EURO 2012 itself, the units participated
in anti-terrorist security of the host cities of the
different football matches. Since 1994, 831st TAB
is also famous for having participated in many
international air shows all over the world. In 1998
the unit flew the first ever transatlantic flight to
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in the United
States after the 4th Fighter Wing had visited
Myrgorod in 1997. The two units are very much
linked to each other as in 1944, during the second
World War, the 4th FW was based at Myrgorod
during operation “Frantic” with the P-51 Mustang.