site.btaPresident Radev to Award Presidential Badge of Honour to Bulgarian Aviation Officers

President Rumen Radev will award the Presidential Badge of Honour to the senior military aviation officers on Tuesday, Radev's Press Secretariat reported. The ceremony will take place on the eve of Aviation and Air Force Day, observed on October 16. 

General (ret.) Miho Mihov will be awarded for his contribution to the development of the Air Force and the strengthening of the defence capabilities of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

For his contribution to the development of Bulgarian military aviation and on the occasion of his 75th anniversary, Colonel (retired) Vladimir Pamporov will also be awarded the Presidential Badge of Honour.

Aviation and Airforce Day has been observed since 1963 to mark the anniversary of the first reconnaissance flight in Bulgarian and European history, conducted on October 16, 1912 during the First Balkan War (1912-1913). In addition to reconnaissance, the first aviation bombing in Europe also took place in a real frontline situation. The pilot, Lieutenant Radul Milkov, and Lieutenant Prodan Tarakchiev flew their Albatros over the Edirne fortress, reconnoitred the location of the reserves, and managed to drop two hand grenades over the Karaagac station.