Russian air force forms squadron for operations in Armenia
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. An air force and anti-aircraft defense squadron of army aviation command of the air command of Russia’s southern military region has been formed at the Erebuni military airport in Armenia. The Press Service of the South Military Region of the Russian Federation informed “Armenpress” about this.
“The Russian air contingent [in Armenia] will be strengthened with Mi-24P attack helicopters, Mi-8MT and Mi-8SMV military transport helicopters, which will be used for ground support and transportation of the [Russian] troops deployed in Armenia,” the press service said in a statement.
Russia’s 3624th Air Base at the Erebuni airport in Yerevan currently hosts at least 16 MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets operating under the framework of air defense agreements concluded between the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The personnel of the squadron are undergoing specific training at an airbase in Rostov-on-Don.
The helicopters will be gradually deployed at the Erebuni base through 2014, the press service said.