Department of Air Assault Forces

colonel Danyliuk Ihor
Chief of the Department, PhD colonel
Danyliuk Ihor

The Department of Air Assault Forces is a fundamental structural unit of the Command and Staff Institute for the Application of Troops (Forces) of the National Defense University of Ukraine, which carries out educational and scientific activities.

The Department of Air Assault Forces is designed to prepare military specialists at the educational and qualification level of "master" for the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The main tasks of the department are:

  • Preparation of military specialists at the educational and qualification level of "master" for the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
  • Participation in the training of military specialists at the strategic and operational levels in defined specialties and specializations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations of the state, professional military education courses (L-3; L-4), participation in retraining and advanced training;
  • Ensuring the training of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel of the highest category for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations;
  • Creation (improvement) of the regulatory and legal framework and educational material and technical base;
  • Implementation of modern technologies and teaching methods into the educational process, taking into account the experience gained in training and conducting combat (operational) operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the context of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, NATO standards, and advanced training methods of the armed forces of NATO member states;
  • Ensuring the applied focus of scientific research in accordance with the real needs of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, considering their training and operational tasks, prospects for the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the dynamics of changes in the political and military-strategic situation.

Structurally, the department includes:

  • Department leadership;
  • Scientific and pedagogical staff;
  • Educational laboratory.

The department conducts training in the specialization:

Specialty 253 Military Management (by types of armed forces)
Specialization Combat Application and Management of the Actions of Military Units of the Air Assault Forces

History of the creation and development of the department:

On June 11, 2003, by order of the head of the National Defense Academy of Ukraine, the creation of the "Airmobile Forces" department began, which was completed on October 15, 2003. Colonel Lisovyi S.H. was appointed as the head of the department.

In 2007, the "Airmobile Forces" department was reformed into a subject-methodological commission of the Ground Forces department.

From March 1, 2010, the "Airmobile Forces" department was reformed into the "Airmobile Forces and Special Operations Forces" department. Colonel Mardar O.M. was appointed as the head of the department.

On September 1, 2012, Servatiuk V.M., a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was appointed as the head of the department.

From December 1, 2014, the "Airmobile Forces and Special Operations Forces" department was renamed to the "High Mobility Airborne Forces and Special Operations Forces" department. Colonel Danyliuk I.A. was appointed as the head of the department.

On September 30, 2019, the "High Mobility Airborne Forces and Special Operations Forces" department was renamed to the "Air Assault Forces and Special Operations Forces" department.

On August 14, 2023, according to the directive of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the "Air Assault Forces and Special Operations Forces" department was reformed into the "Air Assault Forces" department.

The day of the department is celebrated annually on October 15.

Main achievements and significant accomplishments:

For participation in the Joint Forces Operation (ATO) and repelling the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation, 11 students of the department were awarded the honorary title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of "Gold Star."

Educational activities:

During its existence, the department has trained more than five hundred specialists at the strategic and operational levels. Among them, 3 officers graduated from the university with a gold medal, and 9 officers graduated with a red diploma.

Scientific activities:

In 2023-2024, the department completed 3 research projects and 2 operational tasks. Scientific and pedagogical staff regularly participate in scientific-practical seminars and conferences. They write scientific articles, prepare educational manuals and textbooks for publication. The department conducts annual scientific-practical seminars and conferences involving representatives of the Command of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and higher military educational institutions.

Scientific potential:

A total of 4, including:

  • Doctor of Sciences - 0;
  • Candidates of Sciences – 3;
  • Doctors of Philosophy – 1;
  • Professors – 1;
  • Associate Professors – 2;
  • Honored Educators – 1.

Sports achievements:

Students of the department participate in the "Invictus Games."

Educational and material-technical base:

The department has created an alley of the Air Assault Forces. In the multipurpose classroom of the university, 7 training places have been equipped for the preparation of personnel, small-sized cargo, various loads, and heavy equipment that is in service with the Air Assault Forces for parachute deployment from aircraft and helicopters.

Additional information:

The leadership of the department and all scientific and pedagogical staff have combat experience participating in Joint Forces Operations (ATO), repelling the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation, peacekeeping operations, and other armed conflicts outside Ukraine.