MOSCOW. June 17 (Interfax-AVN) - A reinforced company of the 76th airborne division headquartered in Pskov has completed preparations for parachuting at a Far East training ground during the ongoing Mobilnost-2004 strategic exercise.
"A reinforced company-size task force of the 76th airborne division, manned by volunteers, completed the preparations for a long flight from Pskov to the Far East with subsequent parachuting from the IL-76 Candid military transport during the active phase of the Mobilnost-2004 strategic exercise," Airborne Force Commander Alexander Kolmakov told Interfax-Military News Agency Thursday.
He maintained that the 100-personnel-strong company manned with volunteers underwent training under the lead of Colonel Nikolay Belyayev, Deputy Commander of the Airborne Force for Military Training. "I have just returned from Pskov, where I inspected this company. All officers and ranks are ready for the long flight and follow-on actions in unfamiliar mountainous and forest-covered terrain," the general said.
He also said that parachuting would be the apex of the exercise. "Parachuting followed by active operation will be performed at the Sergeyevka training ground, north of Vladivostok. The troops are to seize and destroy a critical installation and adopt defensive positions in the specified area," Kolmakov said.
According to him, the exercise is of great importance to the troops. "Our mobile forces need this exercise badly, as they will dynamically work through the primary mission, they are tailored for - to reinforce a group of own forces thousands of kilometers away from Airborne Force stationing areas," the general said.