Airborne troops - created to conduct combat and sabotage operations behind enemy lines. Previously, they were part of the ground forces, less often included in the fleet. But since 1991, the Airborne Forces have become an independent branch of the armed forces in the Russian Armed Forces.
Pre-war Airborne Form
The form of the Russian Airborne Forces during this period was no different from the uniform of the first special-purpose air battalions. Jumping uniforms included:
- gray-blue canvas or leather helmet with a soft lining;
- a free cut moleskine or avisentny jumpsuit of a similar color, on the collar of which buttonholes with decals were sewn.
The first military uniforms in the USSR
At the beginning of the war, overalls were replaced by visitor jackets and pants with large patch pockets. Under jackets and trousers, the Airborne Troops wore a 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 was blocked by an oncoming valve. Winter clothes of soldiers during the Finnish war also included a cap with earflaps, quilted jackets, cotton trousers, a fur coat, boots, a white camouflage robe with a hood. Buttonholes were blue for all kinds 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 edging on the collar, on the side seams of the breeches and on the lapels at the end of the sleeves was a hallmark of the commander's uniform. Commander’s uniform was supplemented with a dark blue (since 1938), or a protective green (since 1941) cap with a blue edging on the top and band, the rim of the cap. After 1939, a cockade appeared on the cap, consisting of a red star superimposed on a double gilded cove surrounded by a laurel wreath. Cockade Airborne 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, commanders put on caps equipped with a strap that was worn on the chin. The soldiers just hid the caps in the bosom.
Outdated Airborne Samples
By decree of 1988, the following uniforms were adopted for servicemen in the airborne troops.
The parade form of airborne airborne summer:
- a cap of a color of a sea wave with a blue band;
- open uniform;
- aqua trousers;
- a white shirt with a black tie;
- black shoes or low shoes;
- White gloves.
Front-weekend winter option:
- hat - with earflaps, hat for lieutenant colonels;
- steel overcoat;
- the tunic is open;
- blue trousers;
- a white shirt with a black tie;
- black shoes or low shoes;
- brown gloves;
- white muffler.
Summer field uniform:
- camouflage color field cap;
- landing jackets and trousers;
- vest;
- boots or boots with high berets;
- equipment.
Winter field uniform:
- hat with ear flaps;
- landing winter jacket and khaki pants;
- vest;
- boots or boots with high berets;
- gloves of brown color;
- gray muffler.
Lapel badge of the Airborne Forces
The modern military form of the Airborne Forces is practically unthinkable without the famous sign - a parachute with two aircraft on both sides. It does not simply mean that a serviceman belongs to aviation, it is a real symbol of the unity of paratroopers. The form of the Airborne Forces has been decorated with this lapel badge 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 types of 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 simple, but soulfully created emblem formed the basis for the creation of various landing symbols and became the main component of the award badges, sleeve patches.
Headpiece
In the Soviet Army takes 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 assault forces 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, officers in front of them were wearing an airborne cockade, while on the soldier’s beret a red star with ears was flaunted. But a year later, the color of the beret became habitually blue, which remains to this day, and the star with ears was replaced with a star in an oval wreath. The beret corner turned 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, there is also 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 Unit
The various conditions and situations in which the paratrooper, and any other soldier, may find themselves, dictate certain requirements directly to the form, the fabrics and colors used. And, of course, you should not forget about functionality. The new form of the Airborne Forces was sewn from high quality material from Russian manufacturers using the latest nanotechnology. In particular, it is a ripstop fabric with a reinforcing weaving structure and a reinforced thread that increases the strength of the material without increasing its weight.
Much attention was paid to the development of a winter kit kit, which was tested at very low temperatures and strong winds. Men's coats for officers are 90% wool, women's options are fully woolen and lightweight.
For different situations and weather conditions, suitable combinations of clothes for employees in the airborne forces are provided. The new form has a functional jacket that can be worn in cool weather with a detachable lining or without it under more favorable conditions. In fact, she is now a transformer that can turn into a light windbreaker and a warm pea jacket. Jacket under the jacket will warm even better from the winds. A closed cut jumpsuit made of water-repellent fabric will be appropriate during rain.
Early flaws were taken into account. In particular, the ears of the caps with earflaps were extended, which now overlap each other, fasten with Velcro and protect the chin. The top flap on the earflaps now bends, forming a sun visor. Instead of military boots, the soldiers changed into warm boots with inserts. Field boots are made of soft hydrophobic leather and have molded rubber soles. The insulated version of the field form now comes with a vest that does not impede movement. Specially designed shirt-scarf protects from the wind. Prototype molds for use in hot climates are still being finalized.
At the Victory Parade in 2014, a new parade uniform of the Russian Airborne Forces was presented to the entire country. Almost all units and subunits of these military branches have already been equipped with it.
Camouflage in the 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 employees in the Airborne Forces relatively recently, only by the end of the Afghan war of 1987-1988. While, for example, the Americans have long understood the reliability of a much-needed attribute.
But modern troops still do not have a single camouflage pattern, its types change from part to part, somewhere they use newer models, somewhere they haunt the 1994 models. But here it is worth complaining only about the supply or, more precisely, at 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-stained leaf spots. This suit was ideally suited for deciduous forests and marshy areas of central Russia in the summer. In the mid-1950s, yellowish camouflage uniforms were replaced with more comfortable double-sided overalls. And in the 60s, suits began to be produced, consisting of jackets and pants. Winter options were presented with cotton pants and a pea jacket or one-piece jacket with pants, where the cotton section was not unfastened. They were exclusively worn by special forces soldiers, snipers. The clothes of an ordinary or an officer did not differ significantly in either fabric or sewing. Often the "birch" in the form of a tunic and pants can be seen on the border guards.
Today, "birch" is not used as a charter option, but no one is going to forget it. Refined in some parts, it continues its solemn procession.
Camouflage application
This type of clothing has become truly universal. It is acquired by hunters, fishermen, security guards, young people who prefer an army-style clothing, and ordinary inhabitants, since the price of camouflage clothing is certainly pleasing, and quality does not fail. And, of course, not a single parade is complete without military personnel marching in unison in camouflage uniforms.
Airborne Special Forces
In the USSR, special forces of the Airborne Forces did not officially exist.
However, in 1950, the need arose for creating protection against NATO’s mobile nuclear weapons, at that time the first separate companies and special forces battalions were formed. Only in 1994, Russia officially announced the creation of special forces. The main tasks of such units:
- reconnaissance;
- sabotage operations in the territory of the alleged enemy with the destruction of communication facilities and infrastructures;
- capture and retention of strategic facilities;
- demoralization and disorientation of enemy troops.
Due to the specificity of its activities, the special forces of the Airborne Forces has more modern equipment, weapons, and equipment. And all this, of course, requires more substantial funding. Special forces soldiers have high moral, psychological, physical and ideological training, which helps them work in special, often extreme, conditions.
Dembel form
It is difficult to confuse with anyone the Airborne Troops conscript. The Dembel form is represented by a blue beret, a vest with blue stripes, blue stripes on the tunic and various ornaments in the form of white and blue braids, badges, pagons. All soldiers embroider manually, so each form is unique and visible busting in jewelry is sometimes noticeable. There are no cardinal differences in the form of special forces and airborne forces, the demobilization uniform is the same for everyone. However, there is an unwritten rule, in which it takes from the commandos should be broken to the right. Some sources say that this tradition appeared during the parades with the participation of the Airborne Forces. Then it was necessary from the rostrum to open the face as much as possible, for this the beret was clutching to the left, it was impossible for the special forces to “shine their faces”.
Training and operation of paratroopers is carried out at any time of the year and in any weather conditions, whether it is heat, frost or heavy rain, therefore, for the successful completion of tasks, the form of the airborne forces should be best adapted to any conditions.