Vladimir Sergeyevich Mikhaylov

Born in Kudinovo, Moscow oblast, Vladimir Mikhailov was educated at a local Machinery vocational school (1962), Yeysk Higher Military Aviation Institute (gold degree, 1966), and between 1966 and 1975 he served in a Taganrog-based air force regiment, with extramural courses at Gagarin Air Force Academy (1975).

Throughout his Air Force career Mikhailov served in numerous positions, including Dean of Borisoglebsk Aviation Training Center (from 1980 to 1985), deputy and first deputy commander of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District (1985–1989). In 1991, he earned a degree at the General Staff Academy and was assigned to the North Caucasus Military District as Air Force component commander, Air army commander.

He was implicated in a corruption scandal described by Aleksandr Kirpichnikov in his book

In 1998, he assumed the office of deputy Air Force Commander-in-Chief.

In 2002 he was promoted to the post of the commander in chief of the Russian Air Force. He has the title Hero of the Russian Federation. On May 9, 2007 Mikhaylov resigned from office due to his age.

Among numerous orders and decorations General of the Army Vladimir Sergeyevich Mikhaylov was awarded:

• Hero of the Russian Federation (1996)
• Order for Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR 3rd class (1982)
• Order "For Personal Courage" (1994)
• Order of Military Merit (Russia) (1985)
• Honoured Military Pilot of the USSR
• Honorary citizen of Yeysk (1998)
• Honorary citizen of Borisoglebsk (2000)
• Honorary citizen of Noginsky District (2014[2])
• Badge of honour of the governor of the Tver Oblast (Cross of the Holy Michael of Tver in 2004)[3]