MOSCOW. Sept 29 (Interfax-AVN) - A divisional tactical exercise involving the Chaikovsky tank formation stationing in the Perm region, ended in the Orenburg region on Saturday, spokesman for the Russian Ground Forces commander Col. Igor Konashenkov told Interfax.
The exercise, part of the Center-2008 large-scale maneuvers, involved about 6,000 soldiers, over 600 armored pieces, including tanks, armored combat vehicles and artillery pieces, a large number of wheeled combat vehicles, as well as attack aircraft and four Mi-24 helicopters, he said.
The exercise was unique because it involved reservists, the spokesman said. Reserve duty training exercises and a number of regiment tactical exercises preceded this maneuvers, he added.
A ceremonial review of the division will take place at the firing range of the exercise on Sunday, he said, adding that following the review personnel will board on trains and leave for the region of their stationing.
The Center-2008 exercise involves a total of about 12,000 servicemen, plus combat and special armor, including about 2,000 tanks, armored combat vehicles and artillery pieces, and a large number of wheeled combat vehicles. Over 50 attack aircraft, fighter jets, military-transport planes and helicopter gunships will also practice combat tasks.