| title (item) | field_cer_web | field_cer_navbox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiG-19PM | |||
| Mikojan-Gurevics MiG-19 |
With the PVO being reorganised into a total of eight independent Air Defence Armies and two Air Defence Districts, and introducing to service large numbers of S-75 Dvina high-altitude SAM systems, MiG-19 and Su-9 interceptors at almost the same time, there was urgent need for establishment of a major training centre, where its troops could be trained for their task. Thus came into being the 116th Training Centre at Astrakhan AB, and the 18th Training Centre in Krasnovodsk AB. The 1st Squadron of the latter was equipped with MiG-17PFUs, while the 2nd received 16 MiG-19PMs. One of the latter is illustrated here, decorated with a total of 13 ‘kill markings’ (in the form of small red stars, applied near the intake), for the number of simulated targets destroyed during different tests and training sorties. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)