Air Force ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation

The following table presents images of the rank insignia used by the Russian Federation Air Force (VVS). The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform was altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the old Czarist crown and double eagle. The Russian Air Force is an independent organisation. The Russian Air Force follows the same rank structure as the Russian Ground Forces, with the addition of the title "of aviation" to each officers rank.

The English title for each rank is given first, followed by the Russian title, an English transliteration, then the United States Air Force equivalent. Images of each insignia are provided in the table, along with images of the U.S.A.F. equivalent.

Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks - all-forces ranks (army style ranks) and deck ranks (navy style ranks). The army uses all-forces ranks. The Air Force uses all-forces ranks. The following table of Ranks is based on those of the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation eliminated the descriptor "of Aviation" following ranks, however, that descriptor is still in use. The rank of a serviceman of a "Guards" unit, formation or ship may be followed by the word “Guards.” The rank of a citizen of the legal, medical or veterinary professions shall be followed by the words “of Justice,” “of the Medical service,” or “of the Veterinary service,” to their respective ranks. The rank of a citizen having reserve or retired status shall be followed by the words “Reserve” or “Retired,” respectively.

Officer Ranks

The U.S./Russia officer rank comparisons are drawn from Harriet Fast Scott and William F. Scott, The Armed Forces of the USSR, Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, 1979. In Appendix B of their book the Scotts specifically equate U.S. Brigadier Generals to Russian General Majors, U.S. Major Generals to Russian General Lieutenants, and U.S. Lieutenant Generals to Russian General Colonels.

ee also

*Comparative military ranks
*Russian military ranks
*Ranks and insignia of the Soviet military

External links

* [http://wbase.duma.gov.ru/ntc/vdoc.asp?kl=4488 Federal Law No. 58-FZ from March 12, 1998] "On military duty and military service" (in Russian)
* [http://document.kremlin.ru/doc.asp?ID=27589&PSC=10&PT=3&Page=1 Presidential Decree No. 531 from May 8, 2005] "On military uniform, rank insignia of the servicemen and state bodies' rank isnignia" (in Russian)
* [http://www.uniforminsignia.net/show.php?podkategorie=Army&stat=Russia&id=1412 Military Ranks of Russia]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/index.html Russian military]