Vladimir Mikhaylov

General of the Army Vladimir Sergeyevich Mikhaylov (born 6 October 1943) is a retired Russian Air Force officer who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force from 2002 to 2007. Before that, he was the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force from 1998 to 2002.

He graduated from the Yeysk Higher Military Aviation School in 1966. During his career, he had 6,000 flight hours on many types of aircraft in the Soviet Air Force. Mikhaylov commanded the air force of the North Caucasus Military District from 1991, which became the 4th Air Army in 1993. He flew 42 combat sorties during the First Chechen War, for which he was awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation in 1996. His other awards include the Order "For Personal Courage" and the title Honoured Military Pilot of the USSR.

Early life and education Vladimir Sergeyevich Mikhaylov was born on 6 June 1943 in Kudinovo, Moscow Oblast, in the Russian SFSR of the Soviet Union. He was educated at the Kudinovo machinist vocational school, graduating in 1962, and then at the Yeysk Higher Military Aviation School, which he graduated in 1966. His later education included the Gagarin Air Force Academy in 1975 and the Voroshilov General Staff Academy in 1991.

Military career Mikhaylov gained 6,000 flight hours on all types of aircraft flown by the Soviet Air Force during his career. He served in numerous command positions, including as dean of from 1980 to 1985, and as deputy and then first deputy commander of the Moscow Military District air force from 1985 to 1989.

In December 1993, he participated in an operation to rescue schoolchildren that were taken hostage in Rostov-on-Don, which was successful. Two pilots under his command received the title Hero of the Russian Federation for their actions in that operation. During the First Chechen War from 1994 to 1996, Mikhaylov personally flew 42 combat sorties, in which he destroyed multiple targets of the Chechen insurgents. On 22 February 2004, he was promoted to general of the army. Badge of honour of the governor of the Tver Oblast (Cross of the Holy Michael of Tver in 2004)

Personal life He worked in the United Aircraft Corporation at the department for implementing government orders from August 2007.