It is worth noting that the decision to include the Kant airbase in the CSTO was made at a session of the Collective Security Council in April 2003. An agreement on the status of the base and the conditions of its presence in Kyrgyzstan was signed in September by the defense ministers of the two countries on behalf of the heads of state in Moscow, and the official opening took place in October 2003.
In the event of any conflict or non-standard situations regarding anti-terrorist activities, the base is part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces according to the plan of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Thus, in addition to performing tasks in the interests of the Russian Federation, it serves as a military aviation component of the CSTO.
The military facility is home to aircraft such as SU-25 attack planes and Mi-8MT helicopters.
The festive events on October 31 took place among military personnel, their families, and friends. Representatives from the Russian Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, local authorities, the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic, and journalists from IA were also invited.
Traditionally, the celebrations began with the laying of wreaths and flowers at the monument "To the Warriors Who Fell in Battles for the Motherland." The memory of the soldiers who died while fulfilling their military duty was honored by the participants of the celebration with a moment of silence and a gun salute.
On this day, the opening of the Alley of Heroes took place. It is the central alley of the air town, along which banners with portraits of the holders of the Courage Order who served in this military unit are displayed. It is worth noting that the Order of Courage is one of the highest state awards of the Russian Federation. The order is a special honorary distinction awarded by the state to those individuals who have personal merits in one area or another for selflessness, courage, and bravery demonstrated in life-threatening conditions.
- Today we celebrate the 12th anniversary of the formation of the CSTO 'Kant' airbase. Four military personnel serving at the airbase have received the high award of the Order of Courage, and some have been honored with it twice. These high state awards are a professional assessment of their skill and devoted service to Russia. They are true masters of their craft, an example for all of us. I hope that the military personnel of the airbase will receive awards again, including the Order of Courage, and that we will add their portraits to the Alley of Heroes of the Russian aviation of the CSTO 'Kant' base, - emphasized base commander Alexander Orlov.
Then the military and Russian Air Attaché Sergey Yelensky took the floor:
- Dear comrades, officers, warrant officers, sergeants, military personnel! On behalf of the Russian Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, the defense apparatus, and personally, I congratulate you on the 12th anniversary of the airbase. Just recently, it celebrated its tenth anniversary with great fanfare. The world is changing, the commander and chief of staff at the base have changed... But the most important task remains the same: maintaining stability and peace in this region, and the guarantee of this stability and peace is your military labor, your readiness to perform combat tasks at any moment. I wish you to remain at the top of your game and be ready to tackle any task! May success accompany you.
- We all understand the significance of the Russian airbase's presence in Kyrgyzstan – it ensures security not only in our republic but throughout the entire Central Asian region, - said Commander of the Kyrgyz Republic's SVO Osmonov Erkin. - "Dear Alexander Filippovich! On behalf of the Kyrgyz Republic's VO forces and personally, I congratulate you and your team on the day of the formation of the Russian airbase 'Kant' in Kyrgyzstan. It is a structure of the CSTO and performs tasks to ensure security in the Central Asian region. Over the years of the base's existence in Kyrgyzstan, its personnel has contributed to strengthening combat cooperation between our armed forces. We sincerely wish the personnel of the airbase clear skies, good health, family well-being, and success in serving the Motherland. We hope that further interaction between the aviators of the Russian base 'Kant' and the military personnel of the Kyrgyz Air Forces will yield fruitful results in cooperation and enhancing the defense capabilities of our countries."
After the congratulations, guests were invited to visit a small exhibition of firearms, a festive concert, taste soldiers' porridge, and appreciate an exhibition of children's drawings by the children of military personnel.
