ENGELS AIRBASE, Saratov Region. Nov 19 (Interfax-AVN) - Major General Igor Khvorov, whom President Vladimir Putin has appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian strategic aviation, was introduced to personnel on Tuesday.
The introduction took place at a session of the military council of the 37th Strategic Air Army, which was held at the Engels airbase in the Saratov region.
Air Force Commanderin-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov said Khvorov has authority in the strategic aviation. "He is known as a competent and initiative commander in the Air Force. And I hope he will value the history and traditions of strategic aviation and think about prospects of its development for the benefit of the great Russia," Mikhailov said.
Khvorov is 49. He graduated from the Tambov Higher Air Force College, Gagarin Air Force Academy and General Staff Academy (with honors).
He has held nearly all command and staff posts in the strategic aviation and mastered all types of planes in its inventory.
Khvorov is a sniper pilot and a distinguished military pilot of Russia. He has spent over 4,000 hours in the air. The general is awarded two orders and 10 medals. Prior to his current appointment, he was chief-of-staff and first deputy commander of the strategic aviation.
Putin signed the order on Khvorov's appointment on November 15. The same order appoints Major General Pavel Androsov chief-of- staff and first deputy commander of the strategic aviation.
Khvorov's predecessor, Lieutenant General Mikhail Oparin, resigned upon reaching the retirement age.