The message reads, in part:
“As the successor to the legendary OSOAVIAKhIM (Society for Cooperation with Defence, Aviation and Chemical Construction) established in 1927, modern DOSAAF clubs perform a worthy mission and make a significant contribution to the patriotic education, physical and professional training of young people. The association’s activity enjoys demand and contributes to strengthening Russia’s defence capability.
Over the past decades, many world-famous people went through DOSAAF training, including the famous pilots Alexander Pokryshkin and Ivan Kozhedub, aircraft designers Sergei Korolyov and Alexander Yakovlev, and cosmonauts Yury Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova.
It is important that today DOSAAF carefully preserves the remarkable historical education traditions while making extensive use of advanced technologies and teaching methods. It prepares young people for service in the Armed Forces, as well as for work in the industry, including defence enterprises and other fields. The association tirelessly promotes the development of air sports, motorsports and military-applied sports.
I am sure that the decisions adopted by the congress will contribute to strengthening the Society’s prestige and will attract more people to join it.”