Berkuty (Golden Eagles)
Беркуты

The Berkuty (Golden Eagles) is the helicopter display team of the Russian Air Force's Combat Training and Aircrew Conversion Centre at Torzhok air base in the Tver region. As the Centre is tasked with operational evaluation of new helicopter types for the Russian Army in particular, the Berkuty display team consists of experienced test pilots flying the latest attack helicopters, currently six Mi-28N Night Hunters. Berkuty displays at Russian military events and the Moscow Air and Space Salon (MAKS) and takes part in the annual Victory parade flypast joined by other helicopters flown at Torzhok.

The Berkuty display team was created in April 1989 for the 10th anniversary of the Army Aviation Centre at Torzhok starting with three Mi-24V attack helicopters, later adding a fourth Mi-24 'Hind'. The Berkuty display team made their public debut at the Day of Cosmonautics festival at Kubinka on April 10, 1992, followed by the Victory Parade flypast and Mosaeroshow 92. The helicopters received a special paintjob adding the Russian colours on top of the standard Mi-24 camouflage scheme. The flight was expanded to six Mi-24V in 1993. Following recovery of the Russian armed forces after the economic troubles of the 1990s, the Berkuty re-emerged flying four to six Mi-24P variants until 2009. Meanwhile the upgraded Mi-24PN night-capable version was ordered, arriving in time for Berkuty to participate with six factory-fresh Mi-24PN Hinds in the 2010 Victory Parade.

In 2012 the team re-equipped with four Mi-28N Night Hunter attack helicopters and celebrated 20 years of Berkuty in April at a private event. The team was reinforced expanding the flight to a six-ship formation for the Russian Air Force's 100th Anniversary Air Show in 2012. In 2013 the team also performed during the MAKS airshow with six Mi-28N.