| 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–1998 |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Soviet Air Force 16th Air Army |
| Role | Air superiority |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Damgarten,GDR (until 1993) |
The16th Guards Fighter Aviation Division was anAviation Division of theSoviet Air Forces, active from 1942 to 1998. Originally activated in 1942 as the 258th Fighter Aviation Division from the Air Forces of the14th Army, then the 258th Mixed Aviation Division 27.2.43; redesignated in accordance with NKO Decree No. 264 as the 1st Guards Composite Aviation Division от 24.08.43;[1] redesignated 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Division (16 GvIAD) 11 November 1944.
Active regiments within the 16th Fighter Aviation Division during theSecond World War included:[1]
From 1945 to 1949 the division included: The 19th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 20th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, and 152nd Fighter Aviation Regiment. During this period 152 IAP disbanded and was replaced by 773 IAP. Beginning with its formation from the 258th Aviation Division, until February 1945 The 16th Fighter Aviation Division was attached to the14th Army. After this, it was then reassigned to theBelomorsky Military District where it served until 1953. In 1953 it was rolled into the16th Air Army as part of theGroup of Soviet Forces in Germany. The 16th Division headquarters were located atDamgarten from the unit's installation in Germany during October 1953 until the Soviet forces pulled out of the area subsequent to theReunification of Germany which was finalized in 1993. As a frontline unit stationed in Germany during theCold War it can be assumed that the 16th Fighter Aviation Division would have faced off against any action taken by NATO air forces inAllied Air Forces Central Europe in the event of conflict between the Soviet Union and NATO.
Two regiments were converted to Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiments (19th Guards and 20th Guards) in 1961, and were replaced by two Fighter Aviation Regiments (33rd and 787th), from the 125th Fighter Aviation Division.
The division remained as part ofGroup of Soviet Forces in Germany until October 1993.
It was finally disbanded after serving several years with4th Air Army in May 1998 while atMillerovo in theNorth Caucasus Military District.
