Степан Чобану та Українська державна льотна академія: родинний зв’язок крізь покоління і простір

Abstract

This article explores the heroic life and enduring legacy of Stepan Chobanu (1963–2022), a posthumous Hero of Ukraine and a 1st-class military pilot whose career was deeply intertwined with the aviation history of Kropyvnytskyi and the Ukrainian State Flight Academy. As a commander in the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, Chobanu was a master of the Su-27 fighter, with over 1,100 flight hours and extensive experience in international air shows and military parades. Despite retiring in 2010, his unwavering dedication to national defense compelled his return to service in 2015 as a pilot-instructor to train a new generation of aviators, leading to his full mobilization in 2019. In recognition of his extraordinary valor, he was posthumously awarded the Order of the "Golden Star" and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in October 2023.The study focuses on the symbolic "geography of service" that connects Chobanu to the Flight Academy. His journey began at the Kanatove airfield near Kirovohrad (now Kropyvnytskyi) in 1987, and remarkably, his final act of bravery occurred in the same sky. Demonstrating exceptional tactical skill at the onset of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, Chobanu successfully salvaged his aircraft from heavy missile strikes in Myrhorod, relocating it to a reserve base and completing over ten critical combat sorties in the following days. On February 28, 2022, the 58-year-old Major engaged in a sacrificial dogfight over Kropyvnytskyi. By distracting enemy aircraft and taking the brunt of a missile attack, he allowed his fellow pilots to successfully scramble their jets and relocate to reserve airfields, saving the unit's combat potential at the cost of his own life.Furthermore, the article examines the "family bond" mentioned in the title, represented by Chobanu’s younger son, Yevhen. Continuing the aviation dynasty, Yevhen graduated from the Flight Academy with a Master’s degree in 2024 and pursued a career as a civ il aviation pilot. This continuity of values - from a military defender to a civil professional - underscores the intergenerational transmission of the "calling for the sky." Beyond his military prowess, Chobanu is remembered as a man of profound intellect and multifaceted interests, serving as an exemplary role model for cadets. The commemoration of Stepan Chobanu at the Academy, including the renaming of the street where he once lived and the unveiling of a memorial plaque on the UDLA campus in September 2025, is analyzed as a crucial element in forming the historical memory and patriotic education of future Ukrainian pilots. This nationwide reverence is further cemented by the renaming of streets in his honor across multiple Ukrainian cities, immortalizing hi s ultimate sacrifice.