PUSHKIN AIRFIELD (Leningrad region). Aug 23 (Interfax) - Russian General Staff Chief Gen. of the Army Valery Gerasimov has arrived at the site of combat logistics and technical support drills being carried out by Russian and Belarusian armies to watch the performance of Russian troops.
"The third stage of the joint special drill began at the Pushkin airfield today to practice logistics and technical support for aircraft," drill supervisor and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Gen. of Army Dmitry Bulgakov told reporters.
"Army aircraft will be relocated to operative fields, tactical aircraft will practice fueling at an airfield and in mid-air, and logistics and technical support specialists will prepare aircraft for flights and install weapons," he said.
Ilyushin Il-76MD military transport planes engaged in the drills will transport short-range missiles for Iskander missile launchers, the deputy minister said. Deterrence of a simulated sabotage-and-reconnaissance group's attack on the airfield, restoration of a runway damaged by a missile strike, and extinguishing of a simulated fire in 'damaged' helicopters will be practiced as well.
Russia and Belarus will hold the Zapad 2017 (West 2017) strategic drills on September 14-20 with participation of about 13,000 troops. This is a scheduled exercise held biannually.