CSTO rapid response forces hold first joint training.

7/10 Tass 122

MATYBULAK RANGE /Kazakhstan/, October 7 (Itar-Tass) - The Matybulak
range in Kazakhstan hosted on Wednesday the first training session of
rapid response forces, which are part of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO).

The drill is held within the framework of the
Interaction-2009 strategic exercise, spokesman for the Russian Defense
Ministry Colonel Alexander Cherednik told Itar-Tass.
"The drill envisions the use of 1/2 of ammunition allowance. Taking
part in it are units of the armed forces of Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia,
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
"Belarus is represented by an operations group of its Defense
Ministry, which works in the headquarters leading the maneuvers.
Uzbekistan is not taking part in the exercise," Cherednik said.
According to the spokesman, four tactical episodes are drilled on
Wednesday, reconnaissance and destruction of a group of enemy troops in a
reinforced area by frontline aviation and artillery of Kazakhstan's
Regional Command "South"; blocking and destruction of enemy sabotage
groups in a settlement using an operations battalion of Kazakhstan
interior troops, a Kazakh airborne assault company, an airborne assault
company of the 31st airborne assault brigade of Russia's airborne troops,
and motorized rifle companies of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan;
defense by a motorized rifle brigade and a counterattack by a tank
brigade, destruction of circumnavigating enemy, and blocking and
destruction of enemy sabotage groups in highlands.
Joint reconnaissance units of Russia and Kazakhstan will drill the
last two episodes.
"During the drilling of the last episode, four Il-76 planes will drop
240 paratroopers who are to fly from the Kant airbase, Kyrgyzstan, to the
Matybulak range," Cherednik said.
The Interaction-2009 exercise was launched on October 2. It involves
some 7,000 troops and will finish on October 16.
-0-myz/gor