VORONEZH. Dec 17 (Interfax-AVN) - The automotive training brigade headquartered in Ostrogozhsk, Voronezh region, has trained about 3,000 truckdrivers in the second half of 2002, the brigade commander Colonel Viktor Smetankin told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
"There are no other training brigades of such size in Russia. Its premises of the brigade cover 249 hectares, have simultaneous training capability of more than 1,000 trainees, and comprise several racetracks, depots, and dozens of other facilities," Smetankin said.
Training of drivers for MAZ-537, GM-589, BAZ-5921, and a handful of other motor vehicles requires hundreds of sophisticated automotive makes.
"On the average, our trucks consume 150 liters of fuel per 100km. For example, it takes about a tonne of fuel to train an ammunition supply truck driver. Despite logistic problems, each trainee is in for 20 hours of practical driving," Smetankin said.
He also said that more than 60 officers in service with the brigade have gained combat experience in the North Caucasus.
For several years, the brigade has been considered the best in the Armed Forces.