Russia AF & ABN to hold joint drill in late March

[Newsman]

Russia Air Force,Airborne Troops to hold joint drill in late March

17.03.2004, 08.48

MOSCOW, March 17 (Itar-Tass) - About 1,000 airborne troops and more than 30 warplanes and transport aircraft will take part in a joint command and staff exercise in the Moscow military district in late March, the largest in the past decade, deputy airborne troops commander Col Nikolai Bragin told Itar-Tass.

The drill will be held on the territory of the Moscow military district, in the Ivanovo and Kostroma regions from March 22 until March 26, under general command by Air Force chief Vladimir Mikhailov.

Taking part in the drill will be about 1,000 servicemen from the Ivanovo-based 98th airborne division and more than 30 Il-76, Su-27, Su-24, Su-25 and A-50 planes.

The purpose of the drill is to perfect interaction between airborne troops and the Air Force in fulfilling such tasks as the landing of personnel, military equipment and cargoes.

The paratroopers in the drill will be subordinate to by Airborne Troops commander Lt-Gen Alexander Kolmakov, Bragin said.

Part of the exercise is to drill preparations for landing and combat missions in the enemy's rear. The exercise, due to start in the Ivanovo region on March 22, will finish in the Kostroma region, with a landing operation involving personnel and military equipment of the 98th airborne division.