There are only a few individuals who are destined for glory. They are born to lead from the front and change the course of history through their resilience, sheer determination, devotion, and dedication. They are the real heroes in the truest sense of the word. Saydulla Madaminov, the 4th Commander of the Uzbek Air Defense Forces, is one such individual who has transformed the Uzbek military forces into one of the most formidable military operational units in Central Asia.
With exceptional leadership skills and a staunch vision to strengthen the might and presence of the Uzbek Air Defense Forces, Madaminov took a strategic approach towards establishing operational efficiency of the unit while forging a partnership with friendly countries to train the personnel to be war-ready to combat unprecedented attacks by the insurgent groups.
Early Life & Education
Saydulla is a former Uzbek colonel born in 1957 in Osh, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union. His achievements in life and career are quite inspiring. From 1974 to 1978, he attended Yeisk Higher Military Aviation Institute (EVVAUL) for his study.
He received a degree in Military Studies from the Gagarin Air Force Academy, Monino, between 1988 and 1991. After completing his second degree in the same discipline, he was stationed at Turkestan Military District to serve the then Soviet Military. He moved to the Khanabad Air Base in the summer of 1991, where he was appointed Chief of Staff and the First Deputy for the Commander of the 735th Aviation Regiment.
Military Career
During his term in office – from 2001 to 2003 – he got the opportunity to lead the Uzbek forces from the front during the most crucial phase of Uzbek history – the renascence.
The year 1993 saw the end of Soviet military rule in Uzbekistan following the fall of the USSR. The then President, Islam Karimov, appointed Saydulla Madaminov to lead the 735th Aviation Regiment, which was later renamed the 60th Aviation Regiment of the recently established Uzbek Air Defense Forces in August 1995.
The Tajik Civil War erupted in the middle of the 1990s, and Colonel Madaminov conducted more than 120 military combat operations against the Islamic extremists. He led the Air Defense Forces from the front to defeat IMU fighters who had invaded Kyrgyzstan’s Batken and Osh regions and occupied mountainous terrain in northern Surxondaryo.
Awards
For his distinguished military service, Saydulla was conferred the “Medal For Distinction in Military Service” and a “Jasorat” by President Islam Karimov. He was also awarded the “Shon-Sharaf Order,” known as The Order of Glory, for his loyalty and bravery in defending the nation and strengthening Uzbekistan’s defense and security.
Post Military Career
After retiring from active military service, Saydulla Madaminov took up commercial aviation. He served as a Yak 42 captain for Tulpar Air from 2011 and 2013. His operations center was initially in Kazan, but he eventually moved to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. Colonel Saydulla was appointed the Deputy Head of Gosavianadzor for the Federal District of North Caucasus in 2014. He held that role until the end of 2021, working out of Mineralnye Vody Airport.
