Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan
Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan - is annually celebrated on June 26, in Azerbaijan, by the Decree issued by Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Prehistory
On June 26, 1918 a Muslim Corps, established by a decision of the Special Transcaucasian Committee, was renamed to Detached Corps of Azerbaijan with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Military Ministry of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established on August 1, 1918. On December 25, General – Samad bey Mehmandarov was elected as a Minister of Defense and Lieutenant-General – Ali-Agha Shikhlinski as a Deputy Minister of Defense. After the collapse of the ADR existing for only 23 months, the Bolshevik government abolished the National Army of Azerbaijan. The first military parade in Azerbaijan was held in Baku in 1919 in the area of the current Museum Center. According to the agreement signed with Turkey, the Islamic Army of the Caucasus, led by Nuru Pasha, closely participated in the forming Azerbaijan army. The Azerbaijani defense together with the Caucasian Islamic Army released Baku and nearby areas from the Bolshevik-Dashnak occupation on September 15, 1918. At that time, the Azerbaijani army had generals such as Huseyn khan Nakhchivanski, Ibrahim agha Usubov, Abdulhamid bey Gaytabashi, Kazim Gajar, Javad bay Shikhlinski, Habib bey Salimov.From its first days sub-units of the Azerbaijani Army fought against illegally formed armed forces of Armenia in hard battles throughout the all territory of the country. The Azerbaijani Army became a secure guarantee of independence of the Republic and its people, who made a choice to establish a democratic government.
After regaining independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, a new national army was formed in the country.
Legislative basis
On October 9, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan passed a law "On the Establishment of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. This was considered the birthday of the Armed Forces of modern Azerbaijan. On May 22, 1998 according to Decree No. 707 issued by Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, after gaining the independence for the second time, this historical day – June 26 was declared the Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, which is annually celebrated by the Azerbaijani people and is the nonworking day.Notable Anniversaries
October 9, 1992
On October 9, 1992, first military parade in the history of independent Azerbaijan took place in honor of Armed Forces Day on Baku's Azadliq Square. The parade was presided by Defense Minister Rahim Gaziyev and General Nuraddin Sadigov. During the parade in Nakhchivan, future president Heydar Aliyev said the following: "Every year for 70 years, we have participated in the celebrations of the armed forces of the former Soviet Union. But today's holiday is a source of great pride in the heart of each of us. We are in great joy. Because the people of Azerbaijan have finally created a national army to defend their state, their nation, their homeland".June 26, 2008
It was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. It was attended by 4,510 troops.June 26, 2011
It was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence and the 93rd anniversary of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. It was attended by about 6000 soldiers, about 400 units of military equipment and weapons, including 14 armored vehicles, 35 combat helicopters, 22 combat aircraft, 8 training aircraft, 28 ships, boats, and other types were demonstrated at the military parade held in Baku on 26 June 2011. It was commanded by Minister of Defense Colonel General Safar Abiyev.June 26, 2013
It was dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Over 5,000 personnel of various military units were involved in the military parade. More than 300 military vehicles and weapons, over 100 military aircraft and helicopters and approximately 40 ships and boats have been demonstrated at the military parade, and the President of Azerbaijan participated on this show to mark the 95th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day at the Freedom Square as well as he delivered speech.June 26, 2018
It was be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. About 4,000 servicemen, 240 pieces of military equipment, and over 70 aircraft took part in the parade. The Azerbaijani Air Force's Bell-412, Mi-24, Mi-24G, Mi-35M attack helicopters, and Mi-17 military transport helicopters took part in the fly past at the end of the parade. A formation of Turkish Troops led by Captain Goja Arsoy took part in the parade for the first time as well as a group of Turkish F-16 fighter jets. Nearly 100 military delegations from Turkey, Pakistan, Belarus, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine attended the parade. The parade was commanded by Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov.Expanded summary
is the main venue for the bi-annual parade held every 5 to 3 years, on the important anniversary years of the Armed Forces and the Republic. The parade is one of the biggest in the former Soviet Union.The guest of honor is the President of Azerbaijan in his constitutional role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and at around 10am as the massed bands of the Military Band Service of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan sounds a fanfare, he arrives at a special tribune at Government House, Baku, to receive the salute of the parade assembled led by the Minister of Defense, as well as of his report informing him of the readiness of the contingents assembled. At the stands are veterans, active duty personnel of the armed forces, and employees of the civil service. The parade having presented arms at this point, following the greeting of the President to the assembled formations, the band then plays Azərbaycan marşı. As the band ends playing the anthem the President then delivers his holiday address to the people and the men and women of the armed services. Following the address, the parade commander orders the parade to begin its march past in quick time in the following manner:
As the command is given to start the linemen take their places and the field markers also as well at the south end of the square. Following the command the parade ground column marks time as a drum cadence is played and to the tune of the massed bands marches past the tribune, first up, led by a colour guard and then followed by the Drum and Bugle Corps of the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum.
The parade also includes a fleet review.