The Origins of Bulgaria's Aerial Forces: Establishment of the Aeronautical Section, April 20, 1906

On April 20, 1906, a significant development in Bulgarian military history occurred with the royal decree No. 28 by Prince Ferdinand, which led to the creation of the Aeronautical Section within the Technical Park of the Railway Battalion of the Engineering Troops. This pivotal moment marked the birth of what would later become the Bulgarian Air Force.

The command of this newly established unit was entrusted to Captain Vasil Zlatarov, a graduate of the Saint Petersburg Aeronautical School. The section was staffed with 37 personnel and was equipped with a French spherical balloon, La Shambre, with a capacity of 360 cubic meters. This balloon enabled the execution of aerial observations from heights of 400 to 500 meters, providing a strategic advantage in reconnaissance and military planning.

This initiative laid the foundational stone for the aerial capabilities of the Bulgarian state, demonstrating the forward-thinking approach of its military leadership in integrating aviation into national defense strategy. The establishment of the Aeronautical Section not only represented a technological leap forward but also symbolized the burgeoning embrace of new reconnaissance techniques that would shape future military operations.

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