In the second half of the seventies, the Baku Red Banner Air Defence District reduced the number of regiments of the fighter plane by a third. The very outdated Su-9 ‘Fishpot-A’ type was they were withdrawn from front line service, three regiments were decommissioned.
In the north, the 767th Fighter Air Regiment PVO ceased to exist. In its place, the Stavropol High Military Aviation School began training young air defense pilots for the Su-15 'Flagon-A' at Marinovka Airport.
In the south, the 167th Guard Fighter Air Regiment PVO disbanded. Previously they used Kopitnari airport together with the 143rd Bomber Air Regiment of 34th Tactical Air Army. The 143rd Bomber Air Regiment got new Su-24 ‘Fencer-B’ bombers in 1977. The old Su-9 ‘Fishpot-A’ wasn't needed and there was no room for them at Kopitnari airport.
|