Nesterov Medal

• Name — Medal of Nesterov • Presenter — Russian Federation • Type — State Decoration • Eligibility — Military and civilian aircrew • Awarded For — Aerial Excellence or Courage • Status — Active • Established — March 2, 1994 • Firstawarded — 1995 • Higher — Medal of Zhukov • Lower — Medal of Pushkin • Caption2 — Ribbon of the Medal of Nesterov

The Medal of Nesterov was established to fill a gap in the Russian Federation award system following the formation of an independent Russian Air Force. It is the aviation equivalent of the naval Medal of Ushakov and the Medal of Suvorov for ground troops. It was established by Presidential Decree № 442 of March 2, 1994 and first awarded the following year. Its statute was amended on two occasions, by presidential decrees № 19 of January 6, 1999, and № 1099 of September 7, 2010.

The Medal of Nesterov is awarded to soldiers of the Air Force, of other air arms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and to troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, to aircrews of civil aviation and of the aviation industry for bravery and personal courage displayed in defending the Fatherland and state interests of the Russian Federation, during the performance of combat duties, in exercises and manoeuvres; for excellent performance in combat training and in maintaining readiness of aerial assets, for special merit in the development, operation and maintenance of aircraft, professional excellence in piloting skills, for excellent performance in combat training and air combat training. The Medal of Nesterov is to be worn on the left breast with other medals immediately after the Medal of Zhukov.

Numbers of the Medal of Nesterov awarded to date: • 1995 — 1996 — 1997 — 1998 — 1999 — 2000 — 2001 — 2002 — 2003 — 2004 — 2005 — 2006 — 2007 — 2008 — 2009 — 2010 — 2011 — Total • 14 — 33 — 8 — 15 — 10 — 6 — 3 — 10 — 12 — 10 — 2 — 5 — 2 — 4 — 5 — 2 — 5 — 146