WikiDwarf: Air Force Day

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Air Force Day

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[[File:Brazilian Gripen mockup 2019.jpg|thumb|A plane during a ceremony in commemoration of the Day of the Aviator and the Day of the Air Force in [[Brazil]].]]
Several nations with an [[armed forces]] observe an '''Air Force Day''' or '''Day of the Air Force''' as a military holiday to recognize their country's [[air force]]. These holidays often hold the same status as any military's [[Armed Forces Day]].

== By country ==
=== Armenia ===
The [[Armenian Air Force]] celebrates its professional holiday on 26 June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/amp/1019739|title = June 26 – Armenian Air Force Day}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gagrule.net/june-26-armenian-air-force-day-congratulations/|title = June 26 – Armenian Air Force Day congratulations|date = 26 June 2020}}</ref>

=== Azerbaijan ===
The [[Azerbaijani Air Forces]] celebrates Air Force Day on 14 February.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/161762.html|title=Azerbaijan marks Air Force Day|date=14 February 2020}}</ref>

=== Belarus ===
The [[Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Republic of Belarus]] celebrates Air Force Day every third Sunday in August, following the [[Soviet Air Force]] precedent to honor the branch's 2001 unification.<ref>https://ruspekh.ru/holidays/den-voenno-vozdushnykh-sil-respubliki-belarus {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.calend.ru/holidays/0/0/2985/|title = День Военно-воздушных сил Республики Беларусь}}</ref><ref>http://machulishi.of.by/content/den-voenno-vozdushnyh-sil-0</ref>

=== Bulgaria ===
[[Air Force Day (Bulgaria)|Aviation and Air Force Day]] is celebrated by the [[Bulgarian Air Force]] on 16 October. It was chosen as a holiday as it honors the first combat flight in [[Bulgaria]]. Wreaths and flowers are laid in front of the Monument of the Bulgarian pilot at the building of the National Assembly. The [[President of Bulgaria]] attends the national ceremony in [[Sofia]], where he/she receives an [[honor guard]]. The Aviation Museum in Krumovo also celebrates the holiday with an open day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bnr.bg/post/101178728/otbelazvame-praznika-na-aviaciata-i-vvs|title=Празник на авиацията и ВВС}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
Since 2006, the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] has celebrated Air Force Day on 4 June. It has been hosted by the Royal Canadian Air Force Association of Canada (RCAFA) on [[Ottawa]]'s [[Parliament Hill]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skiesmag.com/news/air-force-day-on-parliament-hill-celebrates-rcaf-members-past-and-present/|title = Air Force Day on Parliament Hill celebrates RCAF members, past and present}}</ref>

=== Germany ===
The [[German Air Force]] celebrates its founding on 9 January.

=== India ===
The [[Indian Air Force]] celebrates its holiday on 8 October. Air force bases in [[India]] hold parades and air shows to mark the holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schizophrenia.com/indiam/archives/005656.html|title=A Mother in India: 8th October|date=22 October 2007|access-date=20 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206040234/http://www.schizophrenia.com/indiam/archives/005656.html|archive-date=6 December 2010}}</ref> The [[Air Warrior Drill Team]] often performs on this day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/special-performance-by-air-warrior-drill-team-119092200721_1.html|title=Special performance by Air Warrior Drill Team|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=22 September 2019|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>

=== Indonesia ===
The [[Indonesian Air Force]] celebrates its founding on 9 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tni-au.mil.id/sejarah-tni-angkatan-udara/|title=Sejarah TNI Angkatan Udara|website=tni-au.mil.id|date=20 February 2015|access-date=27 February 2021|language=id}}</ref> The Air Force also celebrated "Air Force Service Day" ({{lang-id|Hari Bakti TNI AU}}) on 29 July to commemorate the [[Dakota VT-CLA]]'s incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tni-au.mil.id/hari-bakti-tni-au/|title=Hari Bakti TNI AU|website=tni-au.mil.id|date=26 May 2010|access-date=27 February 2021|language=id}}</ref>

=== Kyrgyzstan ===
The [[Kyrgyz Air Force]] celebrates Aviation Day on August 18.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://old.kabar.kg/eng/society/full/13657|title=Bishkek celebrates the Aviation Day of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic|last=КАБАР|first=КНИА|access-date=2017-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917033343/http://old.kabar.kg/eng/society/full/13657|archive-date=2017-09-17|url-status=live}}</ref> It marks the directive of the [[General Staff of the Soviet Armed Forces]], that established an air unit at the [[Tokmok|Tokmak]] Aviation Training Regiment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://knews.kg/2016/08/17/v-bishkeke-otmetyat-den-aviatsii-vooruzhennyh-sil-kr/amp/|title = В Бишкеке отметят День авиации Вооруженных сил КР|date = 17 August 2016}}</ref> On Aviation Day in 2019, the 60th anniversary of military aviation in the nation was celebrated, with the air force holding an air parade in the [[Chüy Region]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mir24.tv/news/16374057/kyrgyzstan-otmetil-60-letie-voennoi-aviacii-vozdushnym-paradom|title=Кыргызстан отметил 60-летие военной авиации воздушным парадом}}</ref>

The anniversary of the founding of the Kyrgyz Air Force is also observed on 27 July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elgezit.kg/2020/07/28/sily-vozdushnoj-oborony-kyrgyzstana-otmetili-14-letie-fotoreportazh/|title = Силы воздушной обороны Кыргызстана отметили 14-летие. Фоторепортаж|date = 28 July 2020}}</ref>

=== Nicaragua ===
The [[Nicaraguan Air Force]] celebrates Air Force Day on 1 February.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1732|title = Air Force Day in Nicaragua / February 1, 2021}}</ref>

=== Pakistan ===
[[Air Force Day (Pakistan)|Air Force Day]] (known in the [[Urdu language]] as یوم فضائیه or Youm-e-Fizaya) in [[Pakistan]] is a national day celebrated on 7 September, a day after [[Defence Day]]. Airshows and other programs are held by the [[Pakistan Air Force]] to honour its role in defending the motherland during the [[Bajaur Campaign]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] and specifically in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].

=== Philippines ===
Air Force Day is marked on 1 July by the [[Philippine Air Force]], marking the formal anniversary of its creation in 1947.

=== Russia ===
[[File:4X5A4297-1200.jpg|thumb|Members of [[Russian military bands]] on Air Force Day in 2020.]]
[[Russia]]'s [[Russian Air Force Day|Air Force Day]] is celebrated on 12 August and honors personnel, and veterans of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It was originally known as Air Fleet Day ({{lang-ru|День Воздушного Флота}}) when it was established in 1933 and was celebrated on the third Sunday of August.<ref name=m>[http://www.avbuyer.com.cn/e/2007/14942.html Pre-history of MAKS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216235156/http://www.avbuyer.com.cn/e/2007/14942.html |date=2013-12-16 }} - provides the complete information on Russian and Soviet air shows.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kadis.ru/texts/index.phtml?id=46347 |title=Council of People's Commissars of the USSR decree 859 of 28.04.1933 |access-date=2020-08-16 |archive-date=2011-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723163453/http://www.kadis.ru/texts/index.phtml?id=46347 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The modern date for the holiday was introduced by President [[Vladimir Putin]] on 31 May 2006. The date marks the anniversary of the establishment of the [[Imperial Russian Air Service]], which was formerly part of the Engineer Corps of the [[Imperial Russian Army]] prior to that day. 12 August is still widely regarded as birthday of Russian military aviation. Air shows are commonly held at [[Zhukovsky Airport]] while more ceremonial events are held at the House of War and Armed Forces Veterans in [[Moscow]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12307019@egNews|title=В Московском Доме ветеранов войн и Вооруженных Сил прошли торжественные мероприятия, посвященные Дню ВВС : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации}}</ref>

=== Taiwan ===
The [[Republic of China Air Force]] celebrates Chinese Air Force Day on 14 August. It commemorates the acts and sacrifices of the pilots of the [[Republic of China]] in the 1930s.<ref>Fly Boys of Generalissimo, by Samuel Hui.[http://www.warbirdforum.com/cafhist.htm Fly Boys of Generalissimo] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508194351/http://www.warbirdforum.com/cafhist.htm |date=8 May 2016 }}</ref> Also known as the "814 Day", it marks the anniversary of the first air-to-air victory ever made by the Republic of China Armed Forces against the [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Service]].

=== Turkey ===
The [[Turkish Air Force]] Foundation Day is the anniversary holiday for [[Turkey]]'s military aviation force. The foundation of the Turkish Air Force was laid by the Minister of War [[Mahmud Shevket Pasha]] in [[Yeşilköy]] on 1 June 1911, when the first [[Ottoman Aviation Squadrons]] were created. This date has since been accepted as the birthday of the Turkish Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxerdergisi.com.tr/ozel-onemli-belirli-gun-ve-haftalar/turk-hava-kuvvetlerinin-kurulus-gunu-2020|title = 2021 Yılı Türk Hava Kuvvetlerinin Kuruluş Günü - Ne Zaman? Hangi Gün?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kokpit.aero/hava-kuvvetleri-yuzucuncu-yasini-kutluyor|title=Bugün Hava Kuvvetleri'nin kuruluş yıldönümü!|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006114030/http://kokpit.aero/hava-kuvvetleri-yuzucuncu-yasini-kutluyor|archive-date=2014-10-06|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Ukraine ===
[[Ukrainian Air Force]] Day is celebrated on 6 August.<ref>[https://www.unian.info/society/2068059-ukrainian-leaders-greet-pilots-on-ukrainian-air-force-day.html Ukraine leaders greet pilots on Ukrainian Air Force Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806181207/https://www.unian.info/society/2068059-ukrainian-leaders-greet-pilots-on-ukrainian-air-force-day.html |date=2017-08-06 }}, [[UNIAN]] (6 August 2017)</ref> This day is celebrated according to the presidential decree of [[Viktor Yushchenko]] on 27 June 2007.

=== United States ===
The Air Force Day of the [[United States]] was introduced on 1 August 1947 by order of President [[Harry Truman]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000593034/|title = Truman signs Air Force Day proclamation}}</ref> It was created "in recognition of the personnel of the victorious [[Army Air Forces]] and all those who have developed and maintained our nation's air strength". 1 August was specifically chosen as the date for this holiday for historical reasons, being that at the time of its introduction, it celebrated the [[ruby jubilee]] of the 1907 establishment of the [[Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps]]. It officially came into being after the signing of the [[National Security Act of 1947]], with its first celebration being staged while still under the control of the [[United States Army]]. Air Force Day was last observed in 1949.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.military.com/military-appreciation-month/origins-of-air-force-day.html|title = The Origins of Air Force Day|date = 21 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://afd.defense.gov/History/Air-Force-Day/|title = AirForceDay}}</ref>

Today, the Air Force Birthday honors the modern [[United States Air Force]] on 18 September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationaldaycalendar.com/air-force-birthday-september-18/|title = AIR FORCE BIRTHDAY - September 18}}</ref>

=== Uzbekistan ===
The [[Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces]] celebrates its professional holiday on the third Sunday of August.<ref>https://www.uzairways.com/ru/press-center/news/trete-voskresene-avgusta-den-vozdushnogo-flota-respubliki-uzbekistan#:~:text=Третье%20воскресенье%20августа-%20День%20Воздушного%20флота%20Республики%20Узбекистан,-29%20августа%202019</ref> It was introduced by decree of President [[Islam Karimov]] on 21 July 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lex.uz/docs/184761|title = УП-1206-сон 21.07.1995. Об установлении дня воздушного флота Республики Узбекистан}}</ref> On this holiday, the Ministry of Defense organizes a number of events, including a wreath laying ceremony to honor pilots who died in the line of duty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nuz.uz/sobytiya/42668-v-den-vozdushnogo-flota-v-chirchike-organizovali-aviashou.html|title = В День воздушного флота в Чирчике организовали авиашоу}}</ref> A ceremonial [[flypast]] is also organized by the [[Tashkent Military District]] over the city of [[Chirchiq]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

==See also==
*[[Navy Day]]
*[[Army Day]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armed Forces days]]
[[Category:Types of national holidays]]
[[Category:Military culture]]
[[Category:Lists of observances]]
[[Category:Air forces]]

Air Force Day - Revision history

WikiDwarf: Air Force Day