Air Force to Take Part in Baltic Fleet Exercise

07.08.2012 Prior to celebration of Russian Air Force Day, aircraft of the First Air Force and Air Defense Command of Western Military District will take part in the Baltic Fleet (BF) exercise.

Baltic Fleet will hold tactical exercise on Aug 8 at Khmelevka Test Range. Troops will land on unprepared coast.

The fleet maneuvers will be attended by warships and auxiliary vessels, marine units and engineer troops, aircraft of BF Naval Aviation and First Air Force and Air Defense Command.

Multirole highly-maneuverable fighters Su-27 will provide air coverage for naval force during the landing assault operation. Tactical bombers Su-24M will imitate bomb strikes upon "enemy" land targets. In addition, participating ships will practice air defense activities in cooperation with aircraft. BF helicopters will drop team of naval engineers on the shore to make passages in minefields.

Landing ships Alexander Shabalin and Kaliningrad will conduct landing attack with support of attached forces and deliver two amphibious assault companies. Transport aircraft will drop airborne assault group in the enemy's rear. About 500 servicemen will participate in the tactical exercise; marine units will also practice defense of seized seashore area.