Air show outside Moscow: 30,000 spectators, 726 participants
More than 30,000 spectators have turned up for an air show at Monino airfield, near Moscow, to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Russian Air Force, an Air Force spokesman said Saturday.
"More than 20,000 people have gathered at the Monino airfield," Col. Alexander Drobishevsky said. "Another 10,000 are watching the show from surrounding areas."
More than 1,000 police officers and emergency workers are ensuring security at the event, he said.
The show opened with a demonstration of transport aircraft, followed by various military helicopters, and culminated with a fly-by of heavy strategic bombers, including the Tu-95, Tu-160, Tu-22M3, as well as the Su-24 and the MiG-29 fighters.
In addition to displays of aerial refueling of long-distance bombers, precision aerobatic programs involving Mi-24 attack helicopters and Mig-29s and Su-27s drew appreciative gasps from onlookers.
Drobishevsky said Russian Air Force Day would continue Sunday and would be marked at events throughout the country.
On August 12th, 1912, the Russian Air Force came into being when Emperor Nicholas II decreed that Russia must establish a separate air wing for its Armed Forces.
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