The Omsk Regional Organization of ROSTO traces its prehistory to the Omdruzlet cell of the Voluntary Society of Friends of the Air Fleet (ODVF), established in Omsk in June 1923. In 1924, a new mass defense organization of working people was formed—the Voluntary Society of Friends of Chemical Defense and Industry (Dobrokhim). In 1925, circles of members of the Society for Assistance to Defense (OSO) appeared at the city’s enterprises. Since the practical activities of ODVF and Dobrokhim were closely connected, in May 1925 they were merged into a single organization—Aviakhim. In the military-knowledge circles, the population mastered small arms, studied the hand grenade, and the basics of tactics.
In the military-technical circles, participants studied artillery and machine-gun armament, the design of a tank, a telegraph apparatus, an armored vehicle, and means of protection against chemical weapons. Naval clubs operated successfully.
On February 7, 1927, members of the Omdruzlet, Dobrokhim, and OSO organizations, based on the decision of the All-Union Congress of Aviakhim and the Plenum of the Central Council of OSO, united into the Society for Assistance to Defense, Aviation, and Chemical Development (Osoaviakhim). The society considered its main task to be the patriotic upbringing of its members and preparing them to defend the Motherland. From the first days of its existence, Osoaviakhim launched broad aviation outreach. The country, which was in a hostile окружение, needed its own air fleet and trained flight personnel.
In Omsk in 1927, 83 shooting circles, 10 aircraft-modeling circles, and 92 shooting ranges were operating. In 1928, a gliding sports circle was created in Omsk with 68 participants. The Omsk Regional Council of Osoaviakhim had district councils and six training centers stationed in the city of Omsk (with full-time managers and engineering-technical, teaching, and instructor staff). 20,000 students of Omsk Osoaviakhim schools, clubs, and training organizations took an active part in the fight against the fascist invaders during the Great Patriotic War; 14 of them were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 1948, a decision was made to split Osoaviakhim into three independent organizations: the Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Army (Dosarm), the Voluntary Society for Assistance to Aviation (Dosav), and the Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Fleet (Dosflot). In 1951, these organizations were merged into the All-Union Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Army, Aviation, and Fleet (DOSAAF), which in 1992 was renamed the Russian Defense Sports and Technical Society (ROSTO).