Drills see redeployment of 30 army aviation crews from western Russia to Arctic Circle - Defense Ministry
MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - As many as 30 army air force crews of Russia's Western Military District are being redeployed from airfields in the Leningrad and Smolensk regions to a military airfield near the Arctic Circle as part of surprise combat readiness drills being held in the Northern Fleet and the Western Military District.
"Army air force crews, which make up routine squadrons, are being redeployed. During the flight, the crews are practicing their pilot skills flying in units and near ground level," the Russian Defense Ministry has reported.
The crews operating Mil Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters will have to cover more than 1,500 kilometers with a refueling stopover in the Republic of Karelia.
"Upon arrival, the army air force crews from the Western Military Districts will join a simulated operation to drop a landing force at a military training range, as well as will practice providing support for the Land Forces from the air, will conduct an air strike simulation against ground targets using missile and ballistic weapons, and will take part in simulated search and rescue operations," the ministry said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Northern Fleet, Armed Forces units in the Western Military District and the Airborne Troops to conduct combat readiness exercises, involving 38,000 servicemen, 3,360 units of military hardware, 41 combat ships, 15 submarines, as well as 110 airplanes and helicopters.
According to the Defense Ministry, the exercises will continue until March 21.