MINSK, 23 February (BelTA) – The joy of flying outweighs all the hardships of military service, BelTA learned from Natalya Titenkova, Belarus’ first woman to master the military pilot profession. She took part in a solemn meeting held in the Oval Hall of the House of Government on the occasion of the Day of Fatherland Defenders and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
At the age of 15, Natalia joined an aeroclub and started flying gliders. “I was really into this activity and realized that I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. In 2008 the Aviation Faculty [of the Military Academy] announced its first enrollment of female students. I was encouraged to apply for it, and I gladly gave it a try. I was admitted, completed my studies, served in the army, and then went to work for the Belavia airline,” she said.
After graduating from the academy she served in the army for five years, and today Natalya is a co-pilot with Belavia.
Natalya Titenkova noted that without a doubt, military service adds certain difficulties to one’s life. But the pleasure and joy of flying at that time outweighed all the difficult moments associated with military service, she added.
The invitation to participate in today’s solemn meeting was unexpected but very pleasant for her. She admitted that she still feels involved in this holiday.
Natalya Titenkova was presented with a letter of commendation from the chairman of the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament today. It was noted during the ceremony that Natalya has become a legend in the history of the Military Academy. She has mastered both the Yak-52 aircraft and the L-39 aircraft. She has performed aerial maneuvers such as rolls, barrel rolls, and loops with ease.
Among today’s members of parliament there are quite many people in uniform who have devoted most of their lives to serving their country, the state, and the people, noted Major-General Gennady Lepeshko, Chairman of the National Security Commission of the House of Representatives. “People who have been honored at the state level, representatives of young people, including Suvorov Military School cadets and students of military-patriotic classes, have been invited to the event. This demonstrates the connection between generations,” he said.
The solemn meeting in honor of the Day of Fatherland Defenders and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus in the Oval Hall gathered members of the parliament and employees of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, employees of the Office of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the Secretariat of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS states, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Beautiful melodies were performed by the Military Academy orchestra.
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