MOSCOW. June 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Air Force is selecting volunteers for service with the Kant air force base in Kyrgyzstan, a source in the Defense Ministry told Interfax- Military News Agency on Monday.
"Aircraft regiments continue selecting specialists of various categories for service with Russia's Kant air force base that is being set up on the Kyrgyz territory. HR bodies are selecting volunteers. In accordance with the Air Force Command's instructions, the personnel will serve in Kyrgyzstan on a permanent basis, unlike in Tajikistan where aviators are replaced every four months. No bonuses or compensations have been established for those serving in Kyrgyzstan so far," the source said.
Even though the service in Kyrgyzstan does not entitle a person to any outstanding privileges, there are enough soldiers willing to go there, and there will be no problems with manning the base with all necessary specialists, he noted.
"The main incentive for pilots is their hope that they will fly more in Kyrgyzstan than at their regular place of service. Moreover, all the people who will go to Kant are promised decent accommodation conditions," the source said.
According to him, a reconnaissance team of Russian military that traveled to Kant in winter estimated the housing and utilities available at the base as sufficient.
"A regiment of the Frunze aviation college used to be based there, and the college trained foreign aircraft specialists. Good infrastructure was built there, dormitories and a canteen are available. If we manage them in the right way, there will be no problems with accommodating Russian military," the source said.
He noted that two SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes have already been relocated to Kant. The relocation of the Russian aircraft force is expected to end in July.
The decision to deploy a Russian aircraft force to Kant was made by the heads of nations forming the Collective Security Treaty Organization, these being Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. The Kant airfield will host about 20 planes and helicopters of the Russian Air Force and over 1,500 servicemen.
The force will include five SU-27 Flanker fighters, five SU- 25 Frogfoot assault aircraft, two IL-76 Candid and two AN-12 Cub cargo aircraft, an AN-30 surveillance aircraft, and MI-8 Hip helicopters. A few L-39 Albatros trainer aircraft and a helicopter S&R team will be provided by the Kyrgyz Air Force.