Happy Airborne Forces Day: funny pictures and postcards, congratulations in your own words

Every year on August 2, Russia celebrates the Day of the Airborne Troops (Airborne Forces), a holiday for military personnel who are in love with the sky. It symbolizes the patriotism, courage and pride of the Blue Berets. Izvestia tells about the history of the celebration and shares colorful postcards for the Airborne Forces Day.

Happy Airborne Forces Day: beautiful postcards

August 2 is a special date in the history of the Airborne Forces. It was on this day in 1930 that a combat group of 12 people parachuted for the first time in the USSR. The maneuver took place as part of the exercises of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh.

In the morning, the first group of paratroopers took off on a Farman-Goliath aircraft under the leadership of Leonid Minov, the first military parachutist of the Soviet Union. The fighters jumped from a height of 350 m and landed safely in the area of the Klochkovo farm five seconds later. Three R-1 planes then dropped mail bags with weapons and ammunition for them.

In parallel, the second group, led by Yakov Moshkovsky, was preparing for the landing. After her landing, all the fighters moved to the designated point.

A year later, the country's first amphibious detachment appeared in the Leningrad Military District. In 1932, he joined the Soviet Air Force. By the end of 1933, the number of airborne battalions and brigades had increased to almost three dozen.

Soon, the airborne formations of the Red Army had the opportunity to prove themselves in real battles. They participated in the battle with Japanese troops near the Khalkhin Gol River, in the operation to annex Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, and in the Soviet-Finnish conflict.

Soviet paratroopers also showed dedication and courage during the Great Patriotic War. They made a great contribution to the successful counteroffensive near Moscow and the crossing of the Dnieper, participated in the Vyazma airborne operation and many others. More than 250 airborne soldiers were awarded the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union.

The famous blue berets and vests were introduced by the commander of the Airborne Forces Vasily Margelov, who led them from 1954 to 1959 and from 1961 to 1979. Thanks to him, not only the form, but also the basis of the structure of the Airborne Forces has changed — the firepower and mobility of the units have been significantly increased. In memory of Margelov's achievements, paratroopers often decode the Airborne Forces as "Uncle Vasya's troops."

The tradition of celebrating the Day of the Airborne Troops appeared relatively recently - in the 1990s. However, the celebration received official status only in 2006, when the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree on the establishment of Airborne Forces Day.

The modern celebration of the Blue Berets is one of the largest and most recognizable in Russia. On August 2, paratroopers put on uniforms and go to city parks to meet with their colleagues and take part in celebrations.

On Airborne Forces Day, awards are given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves in their service. Every year, the best paratroopers receive medals, state awards and extraordinary ranks. Military personnel and officials also participate in commemorative events dedicated to the fallen paratroopers.

Happy Airborne Troops Day in 2024: funny pictures and memes

Airborne Forces Day has one unusual tradition — bathing in fountains. It is still unknown exactly why the paratroopers are sent to storm the city's decorative structures on the holiday. There are several opinions on this.

According to one version, this custom is associated with the celebration of St. Elijah's Day, which also falls on August 2. The Prophet Elijah is revered as the heavenly patron saint of paratroopers. Paying homage to the saint, the military washed their faces with spring water and dipped into lakes. Over time, in large cities, for lack of other reservoirs, they began to swim in fountains.

Another explanation is also related to Elijah's Day. In Russia, there was a belief that from August 2, it becomes dangerous to enter reservoirs — evil spirits living in the water can drag a person to the bottom. The paratroopers challenge this notion, proving that they are not afraid of either mermaids or water creatures. The third version sounds rather romantic: supposedly the paratroopers love the sky so much that they strive to be near it even on earth. Therefore, when they see the reflection of clouds in the water, they cannot resist it and climb into fountains.

Another unusual Airborne Day tradition is eating watermelons. Striped berry has long been one of the main treats of the holiday. It is believed that Soviet paratroopers who returned from Afghanistan began celebrating August 2 with watermelons.

Funny greetings in your own words, poems and postcards happy Airborne Forces Day

On Airborne Forces Day, it is customary to congratulate everyone involved in the Airborne Forces. They wish the former and current soldiers good health, courage, and courage, and thank them for their service to the Motherland.

"Congratulations on your professional holiday — Airborne Forces Day! I wish you to continue to conquer new heights, deftly grab your dream by the tail, and believe in your strength. And may the number of takeoffs always equal the number of successful landings!"

"Happy Airborne Troops Day! Congratulations from the bottom of our hearts to the brave warriors of heaven. You are the pride of our country and an example for the younger generation to follow. We wish you clear skies, loyal comrades, exciting flights and successful landings!"

"Airborne Forces Day is a celebration of real heroes. You don't need red raincoats or super suits — vests and blue berets suit fighters much better. We wish all paratroopers good health, happiness as great as the sky and great victories. Let the pattern on the vest of your life consist exclusively of light stripes!"

In river mode: how the paratroopers liberated the islands in the Dnieper delta

Airborne units are successfully conducting assault operations in the Kherson area

Happy Airborne Day to you, paratrooper,
We hasten to congratulate you from the bottom of our hearts,
May your days be yours, romantic,
Like the sky, they're wonderfully good!

I wish you to live with dignity and bravely,
Become a friend, husband, and father.
Let your case be difficult,
Go straight for your dream!

Earlier, Izvestia shared postcards and congratulations on Navy Day.