BREST, 13 February (BelTA) – Soldiers of the 38th Independent Guards Air Assault Brigade went to the Brestsky military training area in order to fire various kinds of weapons as part of the ongoing snap inspection of combat readiness of the Armed Forces, BelTA has learned.
In line with the Armed Forces’ combat readiness plan upon the decision of the head of state the 38th brigade was brought to the highest state of readiness on 10 February. The paratroopers had to pass a tactical and special training exam during the first stage. They are now going through a firearm qualification drill. The military personnel have to fire various kinds of weapons: Kalashnikov assault rifles and machine guns, weapons of the BTR armored personnel carrier in addition to throwing fragmentation hand grenades.
“The military personnel are busy firing their issue weapons. Some use AK-74 [assault rifles], Kalashnikov machine guns, BTR [weapons]. The weather is just a bit warmer now. It is pleasant to work now. Our military personnel are coping with all the assigned tasks on time and demonstrate good performance. So far they have passed their shooting qualifications,” noted the commanding officer of a grenade launcher platoon.
Paratroopers have to drill with weapons and tactics throughout their active service period. At least twice a week the military personnel attend classes, improve their weapon shooting skills, and pass qualifications. The inspection of the Armed Forces is tantamount to the final exam at a university. Shooting sessions are organized at various times during the day and at night. “We started night shooting yesterday. We continue during the day today. The plan indicates at what time every unit has to do the shooting. Every little detail has been taken care of,” the commanding officer stressed.
Various units of the 38th brigade are going through the trials. Girls are also among them. “After graduation I had a job I’d trained for: doctor’s assistant. Later on I learned about contract army service and decided to continue the family tradition. All of my grandmothers and grandfathers went to war. They have a very large number of medals. My father is also in the military. He retired virtually two months ago,” said a paramedic with the dressing station. “It was a new experience for me at first. I grew more adept with the passage of time. During the inspection we have to pass all the tests that any other serviceman has to pass. A paramedic is not different from a common soldier.”
The paratroopers are also tested by the unstable weather. In the military training area the military personnel can warm up in tents and have a cup of hot tea.
They have yet to pass physical fitness tests. The soldiers will have to do pull-ups and will run a forced march.
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