Airborne Troops - created to carry out combat and sabotage operations behind enemy lines. Previously, they were part of the ground forces, less often they were part of the fleet. But since 1991, the Airborne Forces have become an independent branch of the Russian Armed Forces.
Form of the Airborne Forces before the war
The uniform of the Russian Airborne Forces during this period was no different from the uniform of the first special-purpose aviation battalions. Jump outfit included:
- gray-blue lined canvas or leather helmet;
- free-cut moleskin or avizen overalls of the same color, on the collar of which buttonholes with decals were sewn.
The first military uniforms in the USSR
At the beginning of the war, the overalls were replaced by avisent jackets and trousers with large patch pockets. Under the jackets and trousers, the Airborne Forces wore the standard combined arms uniform. Winter uniforms were insulated with a large dark blue or brown sheepskin fur collar, which was fastened with a zipper and covered with a counter flap. The winter clothes of soldiers during the Finnish war also included a hat with earflaps, a quilted jacket,wadded pants, short fur coat, felt boots, white camouflage robe with a hood. Buttonholes were blue for all types of categories of military personnel. Only the edging was different, which was golden for commanders and black for foremen, sergeants, privates and political workers.
The blue piping along the collar, along the side seams of the breeches and along the lapels at the end of the sleeves was a distinctive feature of the commander's uniform. The commander's uniform was complemented by a dark blue (since 1938) or protective green (since 1941) cap with a blue piping on the crown and band, cap rim. After 1939, a cockade appeared on the cap, consisting of a red star superimposed on a double gilded bay surrounded by a laurel wreath. The cockade of the Airborne Forces is still decorated with a similar star. Another common headdress is a dark blue cap with blue piping and a cloth star, on top of which a red enamel star was attached.
Before the parachute jump, the commanders put on caps equipped with a strap that was worn on the chin. The Red Army soldiers simply hid their caps in their bosoms.
Outdated airborne uniforms
Decree of 1988 adopted the following uniforms for members of the paratroopers.
Summer parade uniform of the Airborne Forces:
- aquamarine cap with a blue band;
- open uniform;
- celadon trousers;
- white shirt with black tie;
- black boots or low shoes;
- white gloves.
Ceremonial winter weekendoption:
- hat - earflaps, hat for lieutenant colonels;
- steel-colored overcoat;
- open uniform;
- blue loose trousers;
- white shirt with black tie;
- black boots or low shoes;
- brown gloves;
- white muffler.
Summer field uniform:
- camouflage field cap;
- landing jacket and pants;
- vest;
- boots or boots with high berets;
- equipment.
Winter field uniform:
- hat with earflaps;
- airborne winter jacket and khaki pants;
- vest;
- boots or boots with high berets;
- brown gloves;
- gray muffler.
Lapellet emblem of the Airborne Forces
The modern military uniform of the Airborne Forces is almost unthinkable without the famous sign - a parachute with two planes on both sides. It does not just mean that a serviceman belongs to aviation, it is a real symbol of the unity of the paratroopers. The uniform of the Airborne Forces has been adorned with this lapel emblem since 1955, when the Soviet Army made the transition to a new uniform and it was decided to develop new insignia for different types and branches of the troops. Commander-in-Chief Margelov V. F. a real competition was announced, as a result of which the drawing created by a draftswoman serving the Soviet Army won. This emblem, simple but created with soul, formed the basis for the creation of various landing symbols and became the main component of the awardbadges, sleeve patches.
Headwear
In the Soviet Army, the beret as a headdress first appeared only in 1941. And then he was part of the women's summer military uniform. The form of the Airborne Forces was replenished with a beret only in 1967. During this period, it was crimson, in unison with the attribute of the landing arms of other countries. A distinctive sign was a blue flag, called a corner. The size of the corner was not regulated. Berets were worn by both officers and soldiers. However, the officers had a cockade of the Airborne Forces sewn on in front, while a red star with ears of corn flaunted on the soldier's beret. But a year later, the color of the beret became habitually blue, which it remains to this day, and the star with ears of corn was replaced with a star in an oval wreath. The beret corner became red, but there was no strictly regulated size until 1989.
The modern look of the beret of the Russian Airborne Forces has remained virtually unchanged since Soviet times. In front, everything is also located a red star, surrounded by ears of corn. The corner, which now looks like the Russian tricolor, with the St. George ribbon developing behind it and a golden parachute, is sewn on the left side of the beret.
New Airborne Forces uniform
Different conditions and situations in which a paratrooper, and indeed any other soldier, may find themselves, dictate certain requirements directly to the uniform, fabrics and colors used. And, of course, we should not forget about functionality. The new form of the Airborne Forces was sewn from high quality material from Russianmanufacturers using the latest nanotechnology. In particular, this is a ripstop fabric with a reinforcing weave structure and a reinforced thread that increases the strength of the material without increasing its weight.
Much attention was paid to the development of the winter kit, which was tested in very low temperatures and strong winds. The men's coats for officers are 90% wool, the women's coats are all wool and lightweight.
For various situations and weather conditions, suitable combinations of clothing for employees in the Airborne Forces are provided. The new uniform features a functional jacket that can be worn in cool weather with or without a detachable lining under more favorable conditions. In fact, she is now a transformer that can turn into a light windbreaker and a warm pea coat. The jacket under the jacket will warm even better from the winds. A water-repellent, open-fit jumpsuit for when it rains.
Early flaws were also taken into account. In particular, the ears of earflaps have lengthened, which now overlap each other, fasten with Velcro and protect the chin. The top flap on the ear flap now folds down to form a sun visor. Instead of boots, the servicemen changed their shoes into warm boots with inserts. Field boots are made of soft hydrophobic leather and have molded rubber soles. The insulated version of the field uniform now includes a vest that does not impede movement. The custom-designed bib scarf offers excellent wind protection. Prototype molds for roast useclimate is still being finalized.
At the 2014 Victory Parade, a new parade uniform of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation was presented to the whole country. Almost all units and subunits of these military branches are already equipped with it.
Camouflage in service
Camouflage is quite common not only in military but also in civilian life, as it is very convenient and practical. But they appeared among the employees in the Airborne Forces relatively recently, only towards the end of the Afghan war of 1987-1988. While, for example, Americans have long understood the reliability of a much-needed attribute.
But modern troops still do not have a single pattern of camouflage, its types change from part to part, somewhere they use newer patterns, somewhere they haunt the patterns of 1994. But here it is worth complaining only about the supply, or, more precisely, about its insufficiency.
Birch
This is the name of the first camouflage of the Russian Airborne Forces. And all - because of the yellow leaves created on the fabric. The classic "birch" had an olive-colored fabric with randomly located leaf spots on it. This suit was ideal for deciduous forests and swampy areas of central Russia in the summer. In the mid-50s, yellowish camouflage robes were replaced with more comfortable reversible overalls. And in the 60s they began to produce suits consisting of a jacket and pants. Winter options were represented by wadded pants and a pea jacket or a one-piece jacket with pants, where the wadded part was not unfastened. They were worn exclusively by fightersspecial forces, snipers. The clothes of a private or an officer did not significantly differ either in fabric or in tailoring. Often, a "birch tree" in the form of a tunic and pants can be seen on the border guards.
Today, "birch" is not used as a statutory option, but no one is going to forget it. Modified in some parts, she continues her solemn procession.
Applying camouflage
This type of clothing has become truly versatile. It is purchased by hunters, fishermen, security guards, young people who prefer the military style of clothing, and ordinary people, since the price of camouflage clothing, of course, pleases, and the quality does not fail. And, of course, no parade is complete without military personnel marching in unison in camouflage uniforms.
Special Airborne Forces
Special Forces of the Airborne Forces did not officially exist in the USSR.
However, in 1950, it became necessary to create protection against mobile NATO nuclear weapons, and then the first separate companies and battalions of special forces were formed. Only in 1994, Russia officially announced the creation of special forces. The main tasks of such units:
- reconnaissance;
- carrying out sabotage operations on the territory of the alleged enemy with the destruction of communication facilities and infrastructure;
- capture and retention of strategic facilities;
- demoralization and disorientation of enemy troops.
The special forces of the Airborne Forces, due to the specificity of their activities, have moremodern equipment, weapons, technology. And all this, of course, requires more solid funding. Special forces soldiers have high moral, psychological, physical and ideological training, which helps them to work in special, often extreme, conditions.
Demobilization uniform
It's hard to confuse an airborne conscript with anyone. The demobilization uniform is represented by a blue beret, a vest with blue stripes, blue stripes on the tunic and various decorations in the form of white and blue braids, badges, pagons. All the soldiers are embroidered by hand, so each form is unique and sometimes there is a visible bust in the decorations. There are no cardinal differences in the uniform of the special forces and the airborne forces, the demobilization uniform is the same for everyone. However, there is an unspoken rule under which the beret from the special forces must be broken to the right. Some sources say that this tradition appeared during parades with the participation of the Airborne Forces. Then it was necessary to open the face as much as possible from the side of the tribune, for this, the beret was twisted to the left, it was impossible for the special forces to “shine their faces”.
The training and work of paratroopers is carried out at any time of the year and in all weather conditions, whether it be heat, frost or heavy rain, therefore, in order to successfully complete tasks, the form of the Airborne Forces must be best adapted to any conditions.
