From 1918 to 1926 the District was referred to as the Turkestani Front as its forces were conducting active operations against the Basmachi Revolt throughout practically all the District's territory.
By USSR Order No. 304 of June 4, 1926, the Turkestani front was renamed as the Central Asian Military District (САВО), which included the territories of the Turkmen and Uzbek SSRs and the Kirghiz and Tadjik ASSRs.