MOSCOW, November 14 (AVN) - Colonel-General Georgy Shpak, airborne troops commander, is visiting the USA on an invitation of the commander of the US Army 18th Airborne Corps, the Military News Agency learned.
During his visit Shpak will be briefed on the organisational structure of the US airborne troops, as well as the level of special and airborne training of US paratroopers.
The bulk of the US airborne troops is deployed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which also houses the 18th Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division headquarters.
The Russian Airborne troops commander will be present at tactical exercise of the 82nd Airborne Division that will demonstrate airdrop and live fire.
The 82nd Airborne Division dates back to August 1917. During World War II the division met with Soviet troops in the vicinity of Ludvigslust. Currently the division is 14,000 strong and comprises three brigade headquarters, nine airborne battalions, a light tank battalion, three 105-mm howitzer battalions, a Vulcan-Stinger air defence artillery battalion, an army aviation brigade numbering 132 helicopters, and combat and rear support units.