The Hero Number Created by the Gun! Today, Salute to the Air Force First Division

On March 30, 1956, with the approval of the Central Military Commission, the Fourth Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force was awarded the honorary title of "First Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force." Thus, the long-vacant "First" designation since the establishment of the People's Air Force finally found its rightful place.

△ Celebration conference for awarding the honorary title to the First Air Division.

On June 19, 1950, the first aviation unit of the Air Force, the Fourth Composite Brigade, was established in Nanjing. On October 28 of the same year, the Fourth Fighter Brigade, reformed from the Fourth Composite Brigade, was established in Liaoyang. Later, the brigade was upgraded to a division, maintaining its sequence as the Fourth Division of the Air Force. In naming the designation, then Air Force Commander Liu Yalou thoughtfully decided to reserve "First" as an honorary title for units that would achieve remarkable military accomplishments in future operations.

△ The telegram issued by the Air Force to various flight schools and aviation offices for the establishment of the Fourth Composite Brigade.

As the first unit established, the first to participate in combat, and the first to achieve victories in the People's Air Force, they were guided by the spirit of the old Northeast Flight School and, within just six months of formation, were sent to the Korean battlefield. Facing a formidable enemy with far more experience, the pilots of the Fourth Division, with an average of less than a hundred hours flying jet fighters, bravely took to the skies. On January 29, 1951, Li Han, a graduate of the Northeast Flight School and the squadron leader of the 28th Squadron of the 10th Regiment of the Fourth Division, created the first record in the history of the People's Air Force by shooting down an enemy aircraft, shattering the myth of the invincibility of the U.S. Air Force.

△ Officers and soldiers of the Fourth Division participating in the mobilization conference for resisting U.S. aggression and aiding Korea.

In two years and eight months, the Fourth Division participated in combat in Korea five times, achieving multiple "firsts" for the People's Air Force. The entire division shot down or damaged 88 enemy aircraft, with 1,424 individuals recognized for their contributions, receiving a personal commendation from Chairman Mao: "The Fourth Division fought bravely, which is very good and gratifying."

△ Chairman Mao's directive commending the Fourth Division.

From the spark of the old Northeast Flight School to the aerial swordplay on the Korean battlefield, from the iron wings guarding national air defense to the soaring flight in the new era, this is the continuous inheritance of heroic bloodlines. Over seventy years of stormy journeys, the troops have always adhered to the value pursuit of "the motherland named us First, and we repay the motherland with First," and have always remembered the team combat spirit of "fighting bravely and being invincible." This is a promise, and also a vow; it is inheritance, and also a mission. This deeply ingrained original intention will accompany the honorary title of the former First Air Division, guarding the motherland's air and space with ironclad responsibility, and continuing to write immortal glory on the journey of strengthening the military in the new era.

Authors | Tian Ye, Chu Zheng, Xu Jianan, Li Shiquan, Zhu Qihao