About the book: 2009 / Strategic, or Long-Range, Aviation is rightfully considered the elite of the Air Force. It is entrusted with the responsible task of strategic nuclear defense of Russia. To create it, the state, in addition to huge financial costs, required a highly developed aviation industry, dedicated, superbly trained designers, engineers, pilots and technicians, talented military leaders and politicians. The birth and development of Long-Range Aviation occurred in 1913–1914, when the Ilya Muromets Squadron of heavy airships was formed. In the 1930s, well-trained air regiments of Long-Range Aviation were created, equipped with the best combat vehicles of that time, on which many world records were set. In the late 1940s - early 1950s, Long-Range Aviation was given a new task - ensuring the country's strategic nuclear defense. The 1970s and 1980s were a time of unprecedented technical victories for Strategic Long-Range Aviation; it was then that Soviet aircraft designers created the most advanced combat aircraft Tu-22, Tu-95, Tu-160. The book of the pilot and writer V. Khairyuzov tells about these and other important episodes from the history of Strategic Long-Range Aviation of Russia.