Bulgaria celebrates 114 years of military aviation in Sofia

Bulgaria is celebrating Aviation Day and the anniversary of the Bulgarian Air Force in Sofia. The event marks 114 years since the first combat flight of Bulgarian military aviation in 1912 during the Balkan War.

The commemoration includes a solemn ceremony at the Aviator Monument, featuring wreath-laying rituals to honor fallen pilots. President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Iliana Jotova will participate in the ceremony, alongside Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Efthimov.

The historical significance of the date stems from the 1912 reconnaissance flight by Lieutenant Radul Milkov and Lieutenant Prodan Tarakchiev in an ‘Albatros’ aircraft, which also included the first aerial bombing in Europe during actual combat conditions.