KYIV. July 31 (Interfax-AVN) - Servicemen of the Ukrainian Airmobile Forces made over 10,000 training parachute jumps in the first half of 2003, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's press service said on Thursday.
"In the first half of 2003 alone, Airmobile Forces units held 180 platoon-level, 31 company-level and eight battalion- level tactical exercises, performing over 10,000 parachute jumps," a press service official told Interfax-Military News Agency.
Airmobile Forces units took part in six large-scale international exercises and 15 smaller international evens in 2002. Nearly 1,000 paratroopers participated in international activity.
According to the official, celebrations of Airmobile Forces Day and sports and music festivals will take place in Kyiv and several other cities on Saturday. Kyiv will host the presentation of the International Public Organization of Ryazan Airborne College Graduates, Airborne, Airmobile, and Special-Purpose Forces Servicemen and Veterans. In addition, servicemen of the 95th detached airmobile brigade will stage a demonstrative performance and make parachute jumps.
The Airmobile Forces are a component of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They are on permanent combat duty. Under the state program of Armed Forces restructuring and development for up to 2005, airmobile units will be added to the Unified Quick-Response Forces. Officers for the forces are trained at the airmobile department of the Odesa Land Forces Institute. 50 to 60 officers graduate from the department annually.