Georgia marks 30th anniversary of air force
The history of Georgian military aviation begins from the period of the first democratic republic of Georgia, while the 1992 flight marked the founding of the branch of its defence forces.Photo: defence ministry press office
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Today Georgia is marking the 30th anniversary of the country’s air force, celebrating the day in 1992 when Izani Tsertsvadze and Valeri Nakopia became the first pilots in the independent country to take off for a flight in two Su-25 ground attack aircraft and signalled the founding of the branch of its defence forces.
Speaking to media at the Alekseevka air base in Tbilisi, defence minister Junasher Burchuladze said a number of aviation professionals had returned to homeland to rejoin its armed forces over the years, which he credited to the “better-than-ever” conditions offered by authorities for servicemembers.
Dismissing allegations by opposition figures over an outflow of military personnel due to poor conditions and low wages as “disinformation”, Burchuladze said ensuring favourable conditions in the armed forces was a “continued and irreversible” process implemented by the government.
The defence ministry is expected to receive additional ₾80 million ($28 million) budgetary funds this year. Photo: defence ministry press office.
The history of Georgian military aviation begins from the period of the first democratic republic of Georgia, when the first military aviation unit was formed by the decision of then state legislature on August 20, 1918. The unit later fought against Soviet troops during the 1921 Red Army invasion of the country.
The Georgian air defence personnel at Alekseevka air base in Tbilisi. Photo: defence ministry press office.
After the restoration of Georgia's independence in 1992, an air force and air defence division was established in the armed forces before undergoing several structural changes over the years. The aviation and air defence command is subordinated to the defence ministry.
With the qualification and combat training level of the pilots and technical staff “significantly updated” over the years due to the partnership of the air branch with NATO and foreign partners, the country’s air defence forces have served in all military conflicts on the territory of Georgia since its regaining of independence.
Georgia is going to build a 'military town' on Makhata Mountain in central Tbilisi where servicemembers will be offered affordable housing, announced Minister of Defence Irakli Gharibashvili earlier today.
Georgian Defence Forces are celebrating 28 years since their founding, with formal celebrations involving officials and military commanders joined by congratulatory messages from the public today.
Official occasions to mark the date were held in Georgia as well as locations where peacekeepers from the country are serving in international missions, while service members from allied nations offered their messages of support.
The Georgian Air Force celebrated its 25th anniversary today with awards to its personnel and a ceremony involving officials and military commanders in Tbilisi.
The people of Georgia and the country’s servicemen and women are today celebrating a military milestone; the 24th anniversary of the country’s Air Force.
The renovation, rehabilitation and modernisation of the aviation park of the Georgian Defence Forces are “actively underway”, with an upgraded military aircraft Su-25 added to the aviation, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday.