Tactical exercises held in Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan

Zhambyl region, October 12, 2009 (Khabar)- The final stages of preparation for the first large-scale tactical exercises of the Rapid Response Forces of the Collective Security Treaty are currently underway. The forth-coming “international-2009” war games are expected to become a real challenge for Kazakhstan’s airborne troops. According to the training scenario, the active phase of the training on the 16th of October will see 87 of Kazakhstan’s battle aircraft in the sky. Russia will be represented by 20 aircraft. One of the main tasks of the exercises is to reach high operative compatibility which is why both Kazakhstan and Russian military aviation will also be operating at operative airfields including the Lugovoye airdrome.

Yerzhan Yeldebayev, chief, Front aviation exploitation service:
- The level of pilots and on-board engineers is much higher now. Previously, we had to summon lieutenant colonels and colonels for such events. Now, we can easily use 1st lieutenants and captains for such missions.

The main objective in each mission is to eliminate the enemy’s armoured machinery and infrastructure to provide support for the Collective Security treaty field forces.

Alsai Dzhumanov, deputy commander-in-chief, Kazakhstan Air Defence Force:
- The Russian Air Force is planning to come here from the Beloye aerodrome. They will be made up of Tupolev-22s and Sukhoi-24M bombers which will get here from the Kant Airfield. The army air brigade planes will be taking off at the Otar helipads.

The army air brigade featuring around 30 Kazakhstan-Russian military helicopters are based at the Otar Operative Airfield. The aerodrome also receives Mi-8 cargo helicopters from Russia and Kazakhstan’s Mi-26s and Mi-171s and some Mil Mi-24 helicopter gun ships. The Republic’s military say they have perfect relations with their Russian counterparts.