Here they teach "planes to fight". This is how we can formulate the main task of this unique school

The beginning of the aviation history of Lipetsk goes back to the years of the First World War and the Civil War. At the end of 1918, the Ilya Muromets heavy airship squadron was based here.

Lipetsk became particularly famous among aviators when the Higher Tactical Flight School of the Air Force opened in 1933. Here, during the most difficult initial period of the Great Patriotic War, 33 marching aviation regiments were formed and sent to the front in less than a year.

1960 became a special year in the aviation chronicle of the city: the Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Flight Personnel (CBP and PLC) was located here.

But it is impossible not to cite a few modern facts.

...The first fact. 1992. For the first time in the history of front-line aviation, Lipetsk pilots on Su-27 fighters flew to the United States.

Fact two. CBP and PLC pilots were the first to master the interception and destruction of air targets at the "ceiling" and dynamic altitudes, reconnaissance at night using lighting equipment, and also made "serial" flights with refueling of Su-24M bombers in the air day and night from Il-78 and Su-24M tankers.

Fact three. In 1995, a group of Air Force officers led by the current head of the Center, General Alexander Kharchevsky, took part in a joint tactical exercise with the Nilots of South Africa. 52 training battles were held by simulated opponents. In each of those 36, in which the Lipetsk ACE participated, a quick victory was won.

Fact four. Eyewitnesses will confirm that the grandiose air parade was an impressive event on the 50th anniversary of the Great Victory. This is something Russia has never seen before. It was a heavenly symphony. A great contribution to it was made by Lipetsk "center" aviators.

Literally, the jewelry craftsmanship of the Russian pilots shocked the imagination. Among those who saw firsthand the strength and power of Russian military aviation, there were also military attaches of 43 countries of the world. They were amazed by the "magnificent example of building a massive air raid", and they called it a world achievement.

Just four episodes from the Center's air record. However, Major General Alexander Kharchevsky recalls them and other "miracles on turns" most often with an applied purpose: when you have to" straighten out " the work of 15 unique scientific departments of the Center engaged in mathematical modeling, calculating new aviation tactics, developing know-how in piloting techniques, navigation, and the combat use of weapons.

The uniqueness of the Center lies primarily in the fact that it seems to merge into a single whole the theoretical training of pilots, their practical training and the great potential of Russian aircraft technology. Once it consisted of three combat training regiments, today-one equipped with a "hodgepodge" of different types of vehicles. It is commanded by Colonel Vladimir Ishchenko.

Many developments conducted in Lipetsk, even today, in conditions that are close to combat, are of great interest to specialists around the world. For example, the implementation of ideas related to the creation of tools and systems that can adapt to an instantly changing environment. Work on increasing the range of laser-lit missiles is promising: local craftsmen allowed the nilot to leave the combat course after launch, "without accompanying" the final ethan of the projectile's trajectory with an onboard laser...

The Center's specialists calculated the possibilities of using Su-25 attack aircraft strike groups together with the Ground Forces. Each " grach "in one sortie can destroy up to 20 targets at a distance of up to 10 kilometers, if you use anti-tank missiles "Vortex" with a laser guidance system. An important help for the "infantry".

Lipetsk aviators know the degree of risk of their work. But they are also well aware of other things. Their effective results reduce the risk level for military aviators.

Specialists of the flight training, flight safety and objective control systems departments have enough work to do. In particular, the subordinates of Colonel Mikhail Mishin ensure the introduction of the latest world-class achievements, give nilots methodological recommendations for competent work on aircraft, allowing them to fly without going beyond operational restrictions.

According to the Deputy head of the Center, Colonel Viktor Krivtsov, the problem of flight safety is most relevant today for front-line aviation. Here the range of combat tasks to be solved is particularly wide. The increase in losses in fighter aircraft is due to the complexity of aviation equipment and the increase in the cost of professional training of flight personnel.

However, when Viktor Grigoryevich himself rises into the air, whom the flight crew calls "dad", the pilot, and the appearance, and his rigor, and, most importantly, the highest level of flight, physical training, reminiscent of a real "air wolf", like many of his comrades in the "heavenly line", you do not think about the means.

...It is necessary to show your strength in time to avoid using it later. To implement this sound postulate in the combat training of troops, the country now has few material opportunities. But how do our "probable friends"interpret the famous poetic line: "You can't understand Russia with your head and measure it with a large ruler." The interpretation is quite different. But the point is captured correctly. So after getting acquainted with the Lipetsk "air wolves", you can only believe in the best of Russian military aviation.

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