Long-range aviation complete aerial missile launches in headquarters exercise

MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax-AVN) - Over thirty combat long-range planes took part in a strategic headquarters exercise on October 6-12, Long Range Aviation Commander Pavel Androsov told reporters.

"At the first stage of the training, the long-range planes completed the task to disperse planes to operative aerodromes. Also, the crews of the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers delivered air strikes against 'enemy facilities' by dropping bombs at testing grounds in the Novgorod and Ryazan regions," he said.

Besides the bombing, the Tu-22M3 planes conducted flights over the Sea of Japan to practice navigation over orientation-free territory, Androsov said.

The second stage of the training was devoted to practicing strategic restraint tasks; the crews of Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic missile carriers conducted flights and launched test aerial missiles at a testing ground in Vorkuta, said Androsov.

The crews of the Tu95MS planes refueled their planes in mid flight, said Androsov. A complete launch of a whole set of winged missiles from one plane was conducted, he said.

"Also, the crews of the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 conducted flights under an air patrolling plan in remote geographic areas," said Androsov.