Society for Assistance to Defense, Aviation, and Chemical Construction

(Osoaviakhim), a voluntary mass organization of Soviet citizens that existed from 1927 to 1948. The society’s principal purposes were promotion of a strong national defense, dissemination of military skills among the general population, and education of the people in the spirit of Soviet patriotism. In 1948, Osoaviakhim was replaced by three independent societies: DOSAV (Voluntary Society for Cooperation With the Air Force), DOSARM (Voluntary Society for Cooperation With the Army), and DOSFLOT (Voluntary Society for Cooperation With the Navy). In 1951, these societies were merged in DOSAAF USSR (All-Union Voluntary Society for Cooperation With the Army, Air Force, and Navy).