March 24 is the Day of the Navigation service of the Russian Air Force

Every year on March 24, Russia celebrates the Day of the Navigation Service of the country's Air Force. This is a professional holiday for military personnel, without whom it is impossible to imagine military aviation today. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Monday. About the history and traditions of the significant date — in the material of Izvestia.

The history of the Russian Air Force Navigator Service Day, celebrated on March 24

The holiday was established in 2000 by order of Anatoly Kornukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force (VVS), and is dedicated to the day of the creation of the Central Air Navigation Station (TSANS), founded in 1916 in Moscow. It is from this day that the history of the modern navigation service is being reported.

At the same time, the first navigators in our country appeared under Peter I. Initially, they were trained for the navy, and only with the advent of aircraft and the separation of aviation into a separate branch of the armed forces, such specialists were involved in aviation. The navigators served as assistants to the pilots, conducting reconnaissance and shelling of the enemy. They also worked with weather reports during the organization of flights and monitored the serviceability of navigation equipment.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were no precision instruments to help pilots plot a route. Therefore, in the air it was necessary to navigate by terrestrial objects. Later, navigator Boris Sterligov, who is considered the founding father of the navigation service, developed a method for driving an airplane by compass. Subsequently, it began to be studied in all flight schools.

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Currently, the Air Force is armed with modern aircraft equipped with sophisticated electronic equipment, which requires military pilots of the highest class in control. In many ways, the successful performance of combat missions depends on their professionalism and courage.

Navigators are trained at the Military Training and Scientific Center of the Air Force. Their main task today is to ensure high accuracy and reliability of air aviation, the effectiveness of combat use of aviation weapons, as well as aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

How to celebrate the Day of the Air Force Navigator Service in Russia — 2025

Traditionally, the navigators are congratulated by the leadership, their comrades and loved ones on the holiday. Distinguished pilots are awarded with awards and diplomas. Promotion is also often timed to coincide with this day. Do not forget about the veterans of the service.

Students and teachers of specialized educational institutions and those who are just planning to connect their lives with aviation join the celebration.

In addition, Russia celebrates the Day of the Russian Air Force on August 12, which unites all military pilots. Earlier, Izvestia reported on its traditions.