Today, naval aviation plays a key role in ensuring the defense of any state. In our country, its roots trace back to the times of the Russian Empire, and its formation took place in Baku. Here, a school was organized to train pilots. At the time, when the First World War raged, the choice of a city on the shores of the Caspian Sea as a central base was not accidental. Firstly, Baku was far from the main military actions and suffered less from the war. Secondly, it had an ice-free port. Training for cadets included three stages: takeoff and landing, flights with an instructor, shooting, and bombing. Flights were conducted six days a week, starting at 9 AM and continuing until dark.

However, these were just the basic skills. Pilots also studied radiotelegraphy, navigation, meteorology, and had to thoroughly understand the structure of aircraft. Special attention was given to reconnaissance flights with subsequent report preparation. Skills for landing outside of a hydro-aerodrome were practiced in case of unforeseen situations at the front. Finally, on April 27, 1916, the first graduation took place at the Baku school, and soon the pilots were sent to the front.

The combat baptism of naval aviation of the Russian Empire occurred on June 21, 1916, when German bombers appeared in the sky. The first to intercept was Lieutenant Alexander Izvekov. In an unequal battle, his aircraft was shot down and fell into the sea. Meanwhile, while he distracted the enemy, three more Russian planes took to the air, which, through their combined efforts, drove off one bomber and shot down two others. One of them fell into the sea, and our soldiers managed to capture prisoners.

Later, this date became Navy Aviation Day. However, in the 1990s, a mistake occurred: the officers who were preparing the documents for the holiday saw the date in the new style, July 4, 1916, took it as official, and added 13 days. Therefore, in Russia, Navy Aviation Day is celebrated on July 17.