A journalist from Turmush decided to explore this topic in more detail.
According to information from the city hall, the first airplane, a model "Il-28," was installed on May 9, 1975, at the intersection of Ibraimov and Lenin streets, while the second airplane was installed in 2003 at the entrance to the city.
These airplanes, as reported by the department, are classified as monuments of urban planning and architecture and are recognized as local significance monuments. The care for them is managed by the Tokmok City Municipal Property Management.
Zamira Shokonova, the director of the Tokmok City Historical Museum of Local Lore, stated that the "Il-28" was used in the final years of the Great Patriotic War.
“This airplane was ready for flights during the war; however, it remains unclear whether it was used in combat or stayed on the ground. On the 30th anniversary of Victory Day, May 9, 1975, it was installed as a monument in honor of the fallen pilots of 1941-1945. The second airplane was installed in 2003 at the entrance to Tokmok in honor of the local aviation regiment,” she noted.
Shokonova also mentioned that the first "Il-28" landed at the Frunze Military Pilot School.
“The 716th Combined Aviation Regiment was formed in the Turkestan Military District. This occurred based on the Odessa Pilot School. In early 1958, it was decided to form an aviation squadron in Tokmok. The commander of the squadron was Lieutenant Colonel Georgy Tikhonovich Komarov, a first-class military pilot. The first landing of the "Il-28" was performed in late April 1958 with three pilots on board. In 1959, experienced pilots from various countries began to arrive in Tokmok, and special houses were built for them, forming what was known as the 'Military Town,'” she recounted.
Additionally, Shokonova added that from 1987 to 1990, Salizhan Sharipov served in the Tokmok Aviation Regiment.
“For a successful flight into space on February 23, 1999, he was awarded the title of 'Hero of Kyrgyzstan' by the decision of Askar Akayev. Previously, he also received the titles of 'Hero' of Russia and Uzbekistan. He went into space twice, one of which lasted more than six months,” she emphasized.
According to Shokonova, the Tokmok Aviation Regiment trains cadets from more than 20 countries. At one time, complex operations were carried out here, and flights were conducted even in adverse weather conditions. This garrison was recognized as one of the best and received the Lenin Jubilee Honorary Badge. During the Batken events from 1999 to 2001, the 716th Aviation Regiment performed tasks for the transportation of military equipment and personnel.
She also mentioned that in February 1995, an agreement was signed between the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, resulting in 10 airplanes being transferred to the Uzbek side. This led to the reduction of the Tokmok aviation squadron to an aviation commandant's office, which later became a storage base. Ultimately, the last airplane flew from the airfield in May 1999, and in 2002, the Tokmok Air Force Regiment ceased its activities.
An interesting fact about the airplane installed near the building of the Kyrgyz National Guard in Bishkek was also shared by the museum director. “An interesting story is associated with a foreign cadet who nearly crashed on the territory of Tokmok. This pilot was from the royal lineage of an African country and was performing dangerous maneuvers. His airplane began to lose speed and, ultimately, continued flying for another 23 minutes without a pilot before landing in Tokmok without damage,” she said.
Shokonova also added that the presidents of Egypt and Afghanistan flew on the "Il-28" bomber installed in Tokmok.
Currently, championships in go-karting are held on the territory of the former military airfield in Tokmok.
Tokmok has 5 monuments and 3 memorial plaques, most of which are installed in memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War.
Note:
The Il-28 is one of the first serial Soviet jet aircraft, a front-line bomber, and a carrier of tactical nuclear weapons. In the mid-1950s, this aircraft was the main striking force of the front-line aviation of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries. It was distinguished by outstanding reliability and ease of operation. It participated in numerous local conflicts. For the creation of the Il-28, S.V. Ilyushin and a group of designers from OKB-240 were awarded the Stalin Prize. It is the world's first twin-engine jet aircraft with afterburners (the first prototype lacked afterburners).
