Soviet 381st independent Reconnaissance
 Air Regiment in Chimkent
in the eighties

The 381st regiment's both air squadrons received Su-17M3 Fitter-H reconnaissance airplane between 1980 and 1982. The crews of one squadron of the Regiment was fighting in Afghanistan for a year with Su-17M3 Fitter-H type between 1985 and 1986. The regiments were deployed at Bagram airports and suffered great losses. They lost four Su-17M3 Fitter-H reconnaissance airplane and one pilot in a year.

In 1992 the Russian Army withdrew from Kazakhstan. The 381st independent Reconnaissance Air Regiment’s aircrafts and the Chimkent airbase moved to the Kazakhstan Air Force. The regiment’s crews consisted of 80% Ukrainian, 12% Russian, 3% Kazakh and 5% other nationality. Foreigner crews went back to Europe. Kazakhstan didn't have a crew to operate the airplanes, therefore the regiment disbanded.

Photos: Alexey Kharmaev collection

Tags:
Soviet Union, USSR, Soviet Air Forces, VVS, Cold War, Soviet Central Asian Military District, 73rd Tactical Air Army 1983, 381th independent Reconnaissance Air Regiment, Chimkent, 381th independent Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, Su-17M3 Fitter-H, Afghan War, Bagram, Sukhoi

Облако тегов:
Союз Советских Социалистических Республик, СССР, Военно-воздушные силы, Холодная война, Среднеазиатский военный окру, 73-й ВА САВО, САВО, ВВС САВО, 73-я воздушная армия, 73-я ВА, 73-я Среднеазиатский0 ВО, Су-17М3, 381-й отдельный разведывательный авиационный полк, 381-й Орап, Чимкент, Баграм авиабаза, Афганистан