The 76th Air Assault Division begins exercise in Pskov region
MOSCOW. Aug 11 (Interfax-AVN) - The 76th Guards Air Assault Division began a command post exercise (CPX) in the Pskov region on Monday, Airborne Troops (VDV) spokeswoman Maj. Irina Kruglova told Interfax-AVN on Monday.
"For the first time an exercise of this level near Pskov will see massive landings by the division's personnel at an unfamiliar landing site. Fifteen Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft will drop 12 pieces of military hardware and a total of 3,000 personnel in two districts of the region," the VDV spokeswoman said.
More than 30 military transport, frontline and army planes and helicopters will be used to carry out a strike against the ground targets of a simulated enemy, as well as redeployment and air support for the airborne troops, she said.
The active phase of the exercise will be held on August 14 - 15 with participants 'seizing' and 'destroying' the strategic assets of a mock enemy. The exercise will end with a live-firing stage that will be held both during the day- and nighttime. Firing will be conducted from all types of issued weapon currently in use by the air assault division.
The supervision group is led by the VDV First Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Nikolai Ignatov.
The exercise will end on August 16.