KHANKALA. Dec 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The command of the Combined Federal Forces in the North Caucasus has taken a series of additional measures aimed at reducing aviation's time of arrival for missile and bomb strikes against Chechen rebels, a source in the Forces HQ told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"Several airfields of the North Caucasus host frontline aviation's strike planes such as SU-24 Fencer bombers and SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes that will be able to inflict strikes on bandit groups five to eight minutes after takeoff," the source said.
"Aviation's main mission remains the same - to inflict strikes on rebel bases and camps, to create roadblocks on mountain paths and passes, and to prevent rebel breakthroughs to Chechnya from adjacent regions. The strike teams are manned by the best prepared pilots and technicians who are capable of accomplishing combat missions in any weather conditions," he said.
Aviation also helps special-purpose units and scouts, using helicopters fitted with Russian-made avionics with all-weather and round-the-clock capabilities.