10th Naval Aviation Brigade (Ukraine)
{{more citations|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 10th Naval Aviation Brigade
| image = 10-та МАБр.png
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Brigade Insignia
| native_name = 10-та морська авіаційна бригада
| dates = 2004 - present
| garrison = Mykolaiv
| country = {{UKR}}
| branch = {{navy|Ukraine}}
| type = Brigade
| role = Naval Aviation
| size =
| command_structure = 25px Ukrainian Naval Aviation
| nickname = Colonel Ihor Volodymyrovych Bedzai Brigade
| motto =
| colors =
| colors_label =
| battles = Operation Atalanta
Operation Ocean Shield
Russo-Ukrainian War
| specialization =
| current_commander =
| notable_commanders = Colonel Ihor Volodymyrovych Bedzai
| aircraft_general = See #Aircraft Operated
| decorations = 200px
For Courage and Bravery
}}
The 10th Naval Aviation Brigade (also called the Colonel Ihor Volodymyrovych Bedzai brigade) is the sole Brigade of the Ukrainian Naval Aviation established in 2004 by the merger of 9th Mixed Marine Aircraft Squadron, 316th Separate Marine Aviation Squadron and the 555th Naval Helicopter Regiment. It operates a small number of fixed-wing, rotatory and unmanned aircraft. It was previously garrisoned at Novofedorivka but is currently based at Mykolaiv.[http://www.dialog.ua/news/56766_1432536155 Як Сакська бригада морської авіації під дулами автоматів рятувалася з Криму] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719014325/http://www.dialog.ua/news/56766_1432536155 |date=19 July 2015 }}
[http://wings-phoenix.org.ua/uk/10-sakska-brygada-morskoyi-aviaciyi 10-та сакська бригада морскої авіації] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828103903/http://wings-phoenix.org.ua/uk/10-sakska-brygada-morskoyi-aviaciyi |date=28 August 2016 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/ukrainian-navy.html |title=Структура Військово-Морських Сил ЗС України |access-date=15 November 2016 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124101408/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/ukrainian-navy.html }}
History
=Collapse of the USSR and establishment=
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a large number of aircraft were stationed in Ukraine and taken over by the newly formed Ukrainian government.{{sfn|Wragg|2011|page=302}} According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Ukrainian Army Aviation had 7 regiments with a total of 7,000 personnel in 1994.{{sfn|IISS|1994|page=105}} In order to pay its debts, and to comply with the terms of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, Ukraine began the process of restructuring its armed forces, selling some of its aircraft or returning them to Russia, and reducing the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by nearly two-thirds between 2002 and 2010.{{sfn|Wragg|2011|page=302}}
The unit was established in 2004 from the merger of the 9th Mixed Marine Aircraft Squadron, 316th Separate Marine Aviation Squadron, and the 555th Naval Helicopter Regiment of the Ukrainian Navy with the last commander of the 555th regiment, Yuriy Moskalyov becoming the brigade's first commander.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} On 14 October 2008, the brigade was assigned the name Saka, to its place of deployment.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
In 2010, the 10th Brigade had 2,500 personnel and most of its fixed-wing aircraft were transferred to the Ukrainian Air Force, other than some Antonov transports and ten Beriev Be-12 flying boats. It also had twenty-eight Kamov Ka-25, two Ka-27E, forty-two Mil Mi-14PL, and five Mil Mi-6 helicopters.{{sfn|Wragg|2011|page=303}}
Ukraine's naval units, accompanied by the brigade's aircraft participated in several deployments such as Operation Atalanta and Operation Ocean Shield.{{cite news|url=http://en.for-ua.com/news/2014/01/03/120845.html|title=Frigate "Hetman Sahaydachniy" joins EU's operation "Atlanta"|publisher=Eu.for|date=3 Jan 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085926/http://en.for-ua.com/news/2014/01/03/120845.html|archive-date=19 August 2014}}
=Russian annexation of Crimea and War in Donbas=
In March 2014, during the Russian invasion of Crimea, the battalion's aircraft stationed at Novofedorivka carrying personnel in radio silence mode, risking getting lost and without warning the higher command, evacuated to the mainland to the Kulbakino Air Base, leaving behind only ground vehicles.{{Cite web|url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2022/08/04/ostannij-polit-abo-zemlya-ta-nebo-polkovnyka-bedzaya/|title=Останній політ, або Земля та небо полковника Бедзая|last=Diordiev|first=Vyacheslav|date=2022-08-04|website=|publisher=ArmyInform|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}{{Cite web|url=https://ppu.gov.ua/press-center/7-travnia-2022-roku-zahynuv-heroy-ukrainy-polkovnyk-aviatsii-viyskovo-morskykh-syl-bedzay-ihor-volodymyrovych/|title=7 травня 2022 року загинув Герой України — полковник авіації військово-морських сил Бедзай Ігор Володимирович|date=2024-05-10|website=|publisher=Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}
On 3 March 2014, the evacuation started as the helicopters of the brigade took off without taxiing onto the runway, straight from the hangars followed by aircraft. In just eighteen minutes, four planes and five helicopters were evacuated to the mainland. After five days, a pilot of the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade in civilian clothes evacuated another helicopter assigned to Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny{{Cite web|url=https://rusaggression.gov.ua/ua/vyvid-ukrainskoi-morskoi-aviatsii-z-krymu--b2b631c5c55e413b372a3f8397ddf8e4.html|title=Ігор Бедзай не залишає росіянам жодного справного літака|date=2023-03-25|publisher=Virtual museum of Russian aggression|access-date=2024-09-01}} and took it to mainland.{{Cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/crimea/697190-ricnica-peredislokacii-ukrainskoi-aviacii-z-otocenogo-aerodromu-saki-ak-vidbuvalasa-rizikovana-operacia/|title=Річниця передислокації української авіації з оточеного аеродрому "Саки": як відбувалася ризикована операція|last=Glyanko|first=Kateryna|last2=Didenko|first2=Anastasia|last3=Dvoretska|first3=Oksana|date=2024-04-03|publisher=Public|access-date=2024-09-01}} The brigade became the first unit to evacuate all of its combat equipment completely from Crimea.{{Cite web|url=https://bigkyiv.com.ua/zagynu-odyn-z-najkrashhyh-vijskovyh-lotchykiv-ukrayiny-polkovnyk-bedzaj/|title=Загинув один з найкращих військових льотчиків України — полковник Бедзай|last=Хлєбников|first=Володимир|date=2022-05-09|website=|publisher=Великий Київ|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}{{Cite web|url=https://inshe.tv/mykolayv/2022-05-08/677968/|title=Він був і залишиться героєм. Загинув Ігор Бедзай — він 8 років тому вивів з Крима у Миколаїв Сакську бригаду разом з технікою|date=2022-05-08|website=|publisher=Inshe.TV|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}
In April 2014, an incident took place outside the Novofedorivka Air Base in the military dormitory building, which was occupied by Ukrainian servicemen and their families that were awaiting relocation to mainland Ukraine. While Major Stansilav Karachevsky, the head of Operational HQ of the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade was preparing his belongings in preparation to leave Crimea, an altercation between him and several soldiers on both sides broke out.{{Cite web |last=Mezzofiore |first=Gianluca |date=2014-04-07 |title=Crimea: Ukraine Sailor Shot Dead by Russian Soldier |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/crimea-ukraine-sailor-shot-dead-by-russian-soldier-1443687 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=International Business Times UK |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2014-04-07 |title=Ukraine: Naval officer shot dead by Russian {{as written|sol|ider [sic]}} in Crimea |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-naval-officer-shot-dead-by-russian-solider-in-crimea-9243306.html |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
The scuffle escalated to where Russian spetsnaz sergeant E.S. Zaitsev shot the unarmed officer twice in the head at point-blank range with an AK-74 assault rifle on the 5th floor of the dormitory building where Russian soldiers were evacuating the troops. Major Karachevsky was pronounced dead immediately. A second Ukrainian personnel, identified as Captain Artem Yermolenko, was beaten and abducted by Russian soldiers. Russian sources confirmed the death of a Ukrainian major perpetrated by one of its sergeants. After the incident, the major's body was reportedly taken by Russian troops. Zaytsev was convicted by a Russian military court for murder and sentenced to two years imprisonment.{{Cite web |title=Станислав Карачевский — вторая жертва российских оккупантов среди военнослужащих ВСУ в Крыму |url=https://ctrcenter.org/ru/stanislav-karachevskij-vtoraya-zhertva-rossijskih-okkupantov-sredi-voennosluzhashhih-vsu-v-krymu |access-date=2024-04-22}}{{Cite web |date=2014-04-07 |title=Минобороны: в Крыму российский солдат убил украинского офицера |url=https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/ukraine_in_russian/2014/04/140407_ru_s_crimea_murder_ukrainian_officer |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=BBC News Україна |language=ru-UA}}
In September 2014, the brigade took part in the military exercise "Sea Breeze 2014".{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.ua/army/961456-na-sea-breeze-2014-vidpratsovano-epizod-z-protichovnovogo-zabezpechennya-korabliv.html|title=На Sea Breeze-2014 відпрацьовано епізод з протичовнового забезпечення кораблів|date=2014-09-10|website=|publisher=UNIAN|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}{{Cite web|url=https://kou.org.ua/2023/04/28/бедзай-ігор-володимирович/|title=Бедзай Ігор Володимирович|last=|publisher=Knights of Ukraine|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}
In July 2016, the brigade took part in the international military exercise "Sea Breeze 2016".{{cite web |url=http://dumskaya.net/news/legendarnaya-10-brigada-morskoy-aviatcii-ustroil-060683/ |title=«Си Бриз-2016»: морские авиаторы показали, на что способны |author= |date=2016-07-22 |website=dumskaya.net/ |publisher=Dumskaya |access-date=31 July 2017 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801041152/http://dumskaya.net/news/legendarnaya-10-brigada-morskoy-aviatcii-ustroil-060683/ }}
On 16 March 2017, the brigade received a Mi-14PL helicopter after its restoration at the Aviakon Aircraft Reparation Plant,{{Cite web|url=https://tyzhden.ua/News/199044|title="Авіакон" передав ВМС України відремонтований вертоліт Мі-14|website=tyzhden.ua|language=uk|access-date=2018-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224023706/https://tyzhden.ua/News/199044}} and another Mi-14PL was handed over after restoration on 2 July 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/vms-ukrayiny-otrymaly-vidremontovanyy-vertolit/|title=ВМС України отримали відремонтований вертоліт|date=2017-07-05|website=Ukrainian military portal|language=uk|access-date=2018-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224045218/https://mil.in.ua/vms-ukrayiny-otrymaly-vidremontovanyy-vertolit/}}
In January 2018, a serviceman of the brigade (Vasiliev Vadim Oleksandrovych){{Cite web |url=https://declarations.com.ua/declaration/nacp_b4982df4-6938-4a1b-bf01-a14cf27deee1 |title=Декларація за 2016 Васильєв Вадим Олександрович |access-date=2018-01-05 |archive-date=2018-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106063906/https://declarations.com.ua/declaration/nacp_b4982df4-6938-4a1b-bf01-a14cf27deee1 }} was killed under undisclosed circumstances while fighting the separatists.[http://city-izyum.gov.ua/izyumchani-proveli-v-ostannyu-put-svogo/ Ізюмчани провели в останню путь свого земляка, який служив в зоні АТО] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233640/http://city-izyum.gov.ua/izyumchani-proveli-v-ostannyu-put-svogo/ |date=2018-01-05 }}[https://www.facebook.com/Memorybook.org.ua/posts/541503536208177 Ізюм вчора попрощався з загиблим воїном, морським піхотинцем...] On 8 June 2018, the brigade received a Ka-226 helicopter adapted for military medical purposes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/NavalAviationBrigade/posts/663043254030201|title=10-та морська авіаційна бригада|website=facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}
In 2019, the Ukrainain Navy received its first six Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey.{{sfn|Cooper|Crowther|Fontanellaz|Sipos|2023|page=35}} In August and October 2019, the brigade received two Mi-8 MSB-V helicopters, modernized by Motor Sich JSC.[http://mil.in.ua/uk/news/aviatsiya-vms-otrymala-mi-8msb/ Авіація ВМС отримала Мі-8МСБ. 09.08.2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809093610/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/aviatsiya-vms-otrymala-mi-8msb/ |date=9 August 2019 }}[http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2019/10/06/pro-golovni-podii-v-zhitti-vms-ukraini-u-programi-flot-za-tizhden/ Льотчики морської авіаційної бригади отримали гвинтокрил Мі-8. 06.10.2019, 17:38] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007064146/http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2019/10/06/pro-golovni-podii-v-zhitti-vms-ukraini-u-programi-flot-za-tizhden/ |date=7 October 2019 }}[https://dumskaya.net/news/morskie-aviatory-poluchili-eshche-odin-modernizi-104994/ Морські авіатори ВМСУ отримали ще один модернізований вертоліт. (рос.) 04.11.2019, 15:57] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105052544/https://dumskaya.net/news/morskie-aviatory-poluchili-eshche-odin-modernizi-104994/ |date=5 November 2019 }} On 31 October 2019, Yehor Shishkin, a businessman from Mykolaiv, presented his personal An-2 aircraft to the Ukrainian Navy and it was inducted into the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade after a ceremony.{{Cite web|title=Морським авіаторам безоплатно передали Ан-2 {{!}} MIL.IN.UA|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/morskym-aviatoram-bezoplatno-peredaly-an-2/|website=Ukrainian military portal|access-date=2021-02-08|language=ru|archive-date=5 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105185944/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/morskym-aviatoram-bezoplatno-peredaly-an-2/}}
In January 2020, the brigade received an An-2 aircraft that had been confiscated from smugglers. In late 2020, the brigade received a new modernized Mil Mi-2MSB helicopter.{{Cite web|title=ВМС отримали перший Мі-2МСБ|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/vms-otrymaly-pershyj-mi-2msb/|website=Ukrainian military portal|access-date=2021-02-08|language=ru|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208140419/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/vms-otrymaly-pershyj-mi-2msb/}}
On 25 November 2021, the brigade received two more modernized Mi-8MSB-V helicopters.{{Cite web|title=Морська авіація отримала два гелікоптери Мі-8 МСБ-В|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/morska-aviatsiya-otrymala-dva-gelikoptery-mi-8-msb-v/|website=Ukrainian military portal|access-date=2021-11-26|language=uk|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125193545/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/morska-aviatsiya-otrymala-dva-gelikoptery-mi-8-msb-v/}}
=Russian invasion of Ukraine=
In early January 2022, the brigade received a new training building equipped with flying simulators, workplaces for personnel training, interactive whiteboards, and a gym with modern sports equipment.{{Cite web|title=Морські авіатори отримали новий навчальний корпус / ВМС ЗС України |date=18 January 2022|url=https://www.facebook.com/navy.mil.gov.ua/posts/297460349088221|website=Facebook|access-date=2022-01-18|language=uk|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183636/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnavy.mil.gov.ua%2Fposts%2F297460349088221}}
Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade now reduced to 10 Mi-8MSB-V, Ka-27, Ka-226, and Mi-14 helicopters, 2 An-2 fixed-wing aircraft, 6 TB2 drones, and 1,000 personnel,{{sfn|IISS|2022|page=213}}{{sfn|Cooper|Fontanellaz|Sipos|2024|page=37}} was pre-deployed to reserve airfields and airstrips to prevent missile attacks and prevent equipment losses.{{Cite web|url=https://deepstateua.com/istoriia-stanovliennia-ukrayinskoyi-morskoyi-aviatsiyi/|title=Історія становлення української морської авіації|date=2023-09-30|website=|publisher=DeepState|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}}
In March 2022, a TB2 drone of the brigade reportedly distracted the air defense of the Russian cruiser Moskva giving enough time window for it to be hit by a R-360 Neptune anti-ship missile.{{Cite web|title="Украина сорвала джекпот". Что случилось с крейсером "Москва"?|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/ukraina-sorvala-dzhekpot-chto-sluchilosj-s-kreyserom-moskva/31803344.html|website=Radio Svoboda|access-date=2022-05-01|language=ru|archive-date=16 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416090334/https://www.svoboda.org/a/ukraina-sorvala-dzhekpot-chto-sluchilosj-s-kreyserom-moskva/31803344.html}}{{cite news |last1=Finnerty |first1=Ryan |title=Russia's Black Sea flagship sinks, Ukraine claims attack involving drones and missiles |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/russias-black-sea-flagship-sinks-ukraine-claims-attack-involving-drones-and-missiles/148280.article |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Flight Global |date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414210036/https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/russias-black-sea-flagship-sinks-ukraine-claims-attack-involving-drones-and-missiles/148280.article |archive-date=14 April 2022 |language=en}}
On 2 May 2022, a TB2 drone of the brigade destroyed two Russian Raptor-class patrol boats.{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Ukraine Claims TB2 Drones Sunk Russian Patrol Boats Off Snake Island (Updated) |url=https://www.twz.com/ukraine-claims-tb2-drones-sunk-russian-patrol-boats-off-snake-island |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=The War Zone |date=2 May 2022}}
On 7 May 2022, during the Snake Island campaign, a Mi-14 helicopter of the brigade flown by the commander of Ukrainian Naval Aviation, Ihor Bedzai was attacked by a Russian Su-30. The helicopter successfully evaded gunfire, but was hit by a R-73 air-to-air missile, killing Bedzai along with four other personnel (Mykhailo Ihorovych Zaremba,{{Cite web|date=12 May 2022|title=Про відзначення державними нагородами України|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3322022-42513}} Serhii Mykolayovych Mushchytskyi,{{Cite web|date=12 May 2022|title=Про відзначення державними нагородами України|url= https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3322022-42513}} Yuriy Pirog,{{cite news |url= https://www.president.gov.ua/news/ukrayina-j-ukrayinci-znachno-silnishi-nizh-bud-hto-dumaye-pr-83973 |title= Україна й українці значно сильніші, ніж будь-хто думає про нас – звернення Президента Володимира Зеленського |date= 30 June 2023|publisher= president.gov.ua|access-date= 30 June 2023}} and Ilchuk Vasyl Vasyliovych{{Cite web|title=Сьогодні в Оратові проведуть в останню дорогу воїна Ільчука Василя|url=https://orativska.gromada.org.ua/news/1652334974/|website=Оратівська селищна рада Вінницька область, Вінницький район. Офіційний сайт|date=2022-05-12|access-date=2022-10-30|language=uk|first=|last=}}) on board.{{Cite web|url=https://dumskaya.net/news/v-boyu-s-vragami-pogib-igor-bedzay-164115/|title=В бою с врагами погиб один из лучших летчиков Украины|date=2022-05-08|publisher=Dumskaya|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516125906/https://dumskaya.net/news/v-boyu-s-vragami-pogib-igor-bedzay-164115/|archive-date=2022-05-16|access-date=2022-05-08}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2022/11/7/7375232/|title=Битва за Зміїний. Героїчна історія: як Україна втратила і повернула надважливий острів. Реконструкція|last=Romanyuk|first=Novel|date=2022-11-07|website=|publisher=Pravda|language=|access-date=2024-09-01}} On 24 June 2022, the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade was given the honorary name of Colonel Ihor Bedzai.[https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/4462022-43033 Указ Президента України No. 446/2022 від 24 червня 2022 року «Про присвоєння імені Героя України полковника Ігоря Бедзая 10 морській авіаційній бригаді Військово-Морських Сил Збройних Сил України»]
In the coming days, a Russian amphibious assault ship and two anti-aircraft missile systems "Tor" near Snake Island were hit by the brigade's TB2 drones.{{Cite web|title="Байрактар" знищив біля Зміїного російський катер. У Міноборони показали відео|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-zmiyinyy-bayraktar-rosiyskyy-kater/31838932.html|website=Радіо Свобода|access-date=2022-05-08|language=uk|archive-date=2022-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507165325/https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-zmiyinyy-bayraktar-rosiyskyy-kater/31838932.html|url-status=live}} On 8 May 2022, a TB2 drone of the brigade destroyed a Mi-8 helicopter during an attempted landing on Snake Island.{{cite web
| url = https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3477889-zsu-znisili-vorozij-gelikopter-iz-desantom-na-ostrovi-zmiinij.html
| title = ЗСУ знищили ворожий гелікоптер із десантом на острові Зміїний
| publisher = Укрінформ
| date = 2022-05-08
| access-date = 2022-05-17
| archive-date = 2022-05-08
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220508104934/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3477889-zsu-znisili-vorozij-gelikopter-iz-desantom-na-ostrovi-zmiinij.html
| url-status = live
}}
In November 2022, in response to the Russian invasion the United Kingdom announced they were donating three former Royal Navy Westland Sea Kings to the Ukrainian Navy,Beale, Jonathan. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63725431 "Britain sending helicopters to Ukraine for the first time - Ben Wallace"]. BBC News. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022. which were inducted into the brigade.{{Cite web |last=Perreira |first=Julian |title=UK donated Sea King helicopter seen for the first time operating near Black Sea |url=https://www.forces.net/ukraine/uk-donated-sea-king-helicopter-seen-first-time-operating-near-black-sea |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Forces Network |date=22 January 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Stetson |date=2023-01-21 |title=Ukraine Situation Report: Donated Sea King Helicopter Makes Debut Near Black Sea |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-donated-sea-king-helicopter-makes-debut-near-black-sea |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=The Drive |language=en}} On 2 July 2023, the brigade was awarded the honorary award "For Courage and Bravery".{{Cite web|date=2 July 2023|title=Про відзначення почесною відзнакою "За мужність та відвагу"|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3672023-47241}}
Structure
{{more citations|section|date=January 2025}}
=Current=
- Management and Headquarters: Kulbakine Air Base, Mykolaiv{{sfn|Cooper|Crowther|Fontanellaz|Sipos|2023|page=35}}
- Fixed Wing Squadron (most aircraft are in storage or non-operational){{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}}
- Helicopter Squadron{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}}
- UAV Squadron{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}}
- Radio, Communication and Technical Support Battalion{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Maintenance Battalion{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Technical and Operational Aircraft equipment Battalion{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Technical and Operational Automobile equipment Battalion{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Material support Company{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Rescue Paratroopers group{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Meteorological group{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Engineering Service{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
- Guardian Platoon{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Commanders
{{unreferenced|section|date=January 2025}}
- Colonel Yuriy Volodymyrovych Moskaliov (2004-2006)
- Colonel Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Khomenko (2006-2013)
- Colonel Ihor Volodymyrovych Bedzai (2013-2019)
- Colonel Ilya Mykolayovych Oleinikov (2019-)
Inventory
=Current=
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center"
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin ! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type ! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Notes |
| style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4" |Fixed Wing Aircraft |
|---|
| An-26
|In storage.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
| Be-12
|Soviet Union |Non-operational.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
| An-2
|Soviet Union |Transport |{{sfn|Cooper|Fontanellaz|Sipos|2024|page=37}} |
| style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4" | Helicopters |
| Ka-226
|Ambulance{{cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/nova-odynycya-v-bryhadi-morskoyi-aviaciyi-vpershe-za-desyatyrichchya/ |title=Нова одиниця в бригаді морської авіації вперше за десятиріччя |author= |date=2018-05-29 |website=mil.in.ua/ |publisher=Ukrainian military portal |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811164530/https://mil.in.ua/nova-odynycya-v-bryhadi-morskoyi-aviaciyi-vpershe-za-desyatyrichchya/ }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ukrmilitary.com/2018/05/naval-aviation-received-a-helicopter-ka-226.html |title=Морська авіація отримала гелікоптер Ка-226 |date=2018-05-25 |website=ukrmilitary.com/ |publisher=Ukrainian Military Pages |access-date=2018-05-25 |archive-date=26 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526041738/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/2018/05/naval-aviation-received-a-helicopter-ka-226.html }} |{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
| Ka-27
|Soviet Union |Anti-submarine |{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
| Mil Mi-14
|Soviet Union |Anti-submarine / search and rescue |{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
| Mi-8MSB-V
|Soviet Union / Ukraine |{{sfn|Cooper|Fontanellaz|Sipos|2024|page=37}} |
| Westland Sea King
|Search and rescue / transport / utility |{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
| style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4" |Unmanned aerial vehicles |
| Bayraktar TB2
|Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=212}} |
=Retired=
Aircraft previously operated by the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade include: Antonov An-12, Antonov An-24, Antonov An-26, Ilyushin Il-18, Tupolev Tu-134, Kamov Ka-25, Kamov Ka-29, and Mil Mi-6.{{sfn|IISS|2005|page=132}}{{cite news |title=The Ukrainian Navy to replace its fleet of Kamov helicopters - Neizhpapa |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/the-ukrainian-navy-to-replace-its-fleet-of-kamov-helicopters-neizhpapa/ |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=Militarnyi |date=24 December 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Crowther |first2=Edward |last3=Fontanellaz |first3=Adrien |last4=Sipos |first4=Milos |title=War in Ukraine: Volume 2: Russian Invasion, February 2022 |date=2023 |publisher=Helion Limited |isbn=978-1-80451-216-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E7ZNzwEACAAJ |language=en}}
- {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Fontanellaz |first2=Adrien |last3=Sipos |first3=Milos |title=War in Ukraine: Volume 6: The Air War February-March 2022 |date=2024 |publisher=Helion and Company |isbn=978-1-80451-698-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCIzEQAAQBAJ |language=en}}
- {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Europe |journal=The Military Balance |date=1 January 1994 |volume=97 |issue=1 |pages=28-100 |doi=10.1080/04597229408460066 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/04597229408460066 |access-date=13 January 2025 |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|1994}}}}
- {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Europe: Non-Nato |journal=The Military Balance |date=1 January 2005 |volume=105 |issue=1 |pages=107-150 |doi=10.1080/04597220500387613 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597220500387613 |access-date=13 January 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2005}}}}
- {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Five: Russia and Eurasia |journal=The Military Balance |date=14 February 2022 |volume=122 |issue=1 |pages=164-217 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2022.2022930 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2022.2022930 |access-date=13 January 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2022}}}}
- {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Four: Russia and Eurasia |journal=The Military Balance |date=12 February 2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=158-217 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298592 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298592 |access-date=13 January 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}}}}
- {{cite book |last1=Wragg |first1=David |title=The World Air Power Guide |date=2011 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-84468-784-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s2PNDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
{{refend}}