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Bulgarian aviation crews retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H bomber at the Soviet Lugovaya airport in 1976

The Bulgarian Air Force received the first MiG-23BN Flogger-H and MiG-23UB Flogger-C fighter-bombers in late 1976.

A small group of pilot and maintenance personal underwent type conversion at the 5th Combat Training Center’s 715th Air Training Regiment at Lugovaya in the Soviet union in the summer of that year. The Bulgarian crews  were as first Warsaw Pact crews that received retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H bombers for the type. They arrived to 715th Air Training Regiment at Lugovaya airport in summer 1976.

The MiG-23BN Flogger-Hs were acquired as part of the Bulgarian efforts to enhance the fighter-bomber capability of the air arm. The first MiG-23BN Flogger-H squadron was inducted into service in 1976 with the 25th Fighter Bomber Air Regiment at the Cheshnegirovo airport.
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

The Bulgarian crews received retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H bombers for the type at the Soviet 5th Combat Training Center’s 715th Air Training Regiment at Lugovaya.
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

The Bulgarian crews  were as first Warsaw Pact crews that received retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H bombers for the type in the Soviet Union.

 
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

Bulgarian pilot getting in a Soviet MiG-23BN Flogger-H fighter-bomber aircraft in Logovoy in 1976.
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

Georgi Proychev, Dimitar Simeonov, Russian trainer, Ivan Yankov, Vasil Velichkov at the Soviet 5th Combat Training Center

 
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

K.N. Proicev
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

Ivan Parapunov
Bulgarian pilot retraining to MiG-23BN Flogger-H in Soviet Union

Malcho Malchev

Photos: Elka Stoimenova collection

Tags:
Bulgarian Air Force, VVS, Cold War, Warsaw Pact, 10th Composite Air Corps, Plovdiv, 25th Fighter Bomber Air Regiment, Cheshnegirovo, MiG-23BN Flogger-H, MiG-23UB Floger-C, MiG-17 Fresco-A, MiG-15UTI Midget, 715th Air Training Regiment, Lugovaya, retraining to MiG-23 Soviet Union

Военновъздушни сили, ВВС, Военновъздушни сили на Република България, 10-и САК, 10-и Смесен авиационен корпус, Варшавски договор, Студена война, 25-ти изтребителн-бомбардировъчен авиополк, 25-и ИБАП, Чешнегирово, МиГ-23БН, МиГ-23УБ, МиГ-17, МиГ-15, Луговая