4th Air Army
| 4th Air Army (1942–98) 4th Army of Air Forces and Air Defence(1998–2009) |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–1949, 1968–2009 |
| Country | Soviet Union, Russia |
| Branch | Soviet Air Force, Russian Air Force |
| Size | World War II: several air divisions 2000s: ~ 10–15 air regiments |
| Garrison/HQ | Rostov on Don |
| Engagements |
Battle of the Caucasus Kerch-Eltigen Operation East Prussian Offensive Battle of Berlin 2008 South Ossetia war |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Lieutenant General Igor Miroshnichenko |
The 4th Air Army (4 Vozdushnaya Armiya) was a Soviet Air Force formation and from 1992 to 2009 was part of the Russian Air Force. From 1998 the army was designated the 4th Army of Air Forces and Air Defence. It was first established on 22 May 1942 from the Air Forces of the Soviet Southern Front, and fought on the Eastern Front until 1945. In 1949 it was redesignated the 37th Air Army. It was reformed on 4 April 1968 in Poland, and was active there with the Northern Group of Forces for over twenty years, shifting to the North Caucasus Military District in August 1992. The arrival of the Sukhoi Su-24 drastically changed its tasking in the 1980s.
Upon its establishment in May 1942 it had 208 aircraft and 437 crews and consisted of:
In June 1942 one more regiment was added, the 588th Light Night Bomber Regiment (commander Ye.D. Bershanskaya), that became the first women's unit in the Soviet Air Force. In February 1943 it was reorganized into 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment and in October 1943 it became the 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. In 1943, the Army supported the Kerch-Eltigen Operation and assisted in the battle for air superiority over the Kuban. Two regiments that formed part of the Army, the 57th GIAP and 821st IAP, flew lend-lease Supermarine Spitfires in 1943 for a period.Alexander Pokryshkin was one of its members, and one of the most successful aces of WW2, as well as having the distinction of being awarded the Hero of Soviet Union three times.
On 17 July 1943 the 216 SAD/IAD was redesignated the 9th Guards Fighter Aviation Division. It was commanded by Colonel Alexander Pokryshkin from April 1944 to May 1945.
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