During the Soviet period, Kyrgyzstan did not have its own army; its servicemen were part of the Central Asian Military District. Conscripts served both within the district and in all union republics, as well as in a limited contingent of Soviet troops abroad. Separate military units were stationed in Kyrgyzstan, and military flight schools were located in the cities of Frunze, Tokmak, and Kant, where youth from countries friendly to the USSR were trained. After the collapse of the USSR, it was possible to establish a small armed force based on the units of the Central Asian Military District.
From the first days of the Great Patriotic War, preparations for reserves for the front began in Kyrgyzstan. The Panfilov Division was formed from natives of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Another division, several rifle brigades, and three cavalry divisions were also formed from the remaining conscripts. A total of 380,000 young residents of the republic were sent to the front. Many of them demonstrated courage and heroism in battles against the fascists; 74 Kyrgyzstanis became Heroes of the Soviet Union, and pilot Talgat Begeldinov was a two-time Hero. A total of 42,892 Kyrgyz warriors were awarded orders and medals of the USSR for military merit.
