Anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, machine gun firing positions, observation posts and enemy control points. Therefore, revealing the areas where they are located (firing positions) is one of the main tasks of tactical reconnaissance.

Tactical reconnaissance is also responsible for determining the nature and extent of engineering equipment of positions and areas of location of enemy units and units, the system of its barriers, and the degree of terrain passability (engineering reconnaissance).

The most important task facing tactical reconnaissance has always been the identification of new means of armed warfare, techniques and methods of conducting combat operations.

Intelligence information is obtained by interviewing local residents, interrogating prisoners and defectors, radio interception, studying documents, equipment and weapons captured from the enemy, ground and air reconnaissance.

Ground tactical reconnaissance is carried out by reconnaissance, motorized rifle, parachute, air assault, and regimental units. Observers, observation posts, patrol squads (tanks), reconnaissance, combat reconnaissance, individual reconnaissance, officer reconnaissance patrols, reconnaissance detachments, reconnaissance groups, groups for conducting searches, ambushes, units for conducting reconnaissance in force are used.

Intelligence methods

The methods of conducting ground tactical reconnaissance are: observation, eavesdropping, search, raid, ambush, interrogation, reconnaissance in force.

Reconnaissance in force(German) Gewaltsame Aufklärung, English Reconnaissance by fire) is an extreme but effective measure in obtaining data on the enemy’s numbers and weapons. It is carried out by attacking the supposed camouflaged positions of the enemy, who has gone on the defensive, in cases where other means and methods of reconnaissance fail to obtain the necessary data about the enemy and his intentions. In military practice, reconnaissance in force is most often used if the operational situation requires the rapid advancement of troops.

Time for a thorough analysis of the information obtained by tactical intelligence is limited, and it quickly becomes outdated. In this case, inaccurate or unreliable information can lead to large losses, and even to the defeat of the troops who took advantage of it.

For motorized rifle/parachute/tank battalion/Marine battalion such a unit was reconnaissance platoon(RV). The task RV was the collection of intelligence data necessary to solve the combat missions assigned to battalion. Personnel RV numbered 16-21 fighters and consisted of three branches- two intelligence branches and one engineering intelligence department.
Reconnaissance platoons were introduced into battalions in the Soviet Army in the post-war period based on the experience of the Afghan War.

...In October 1984, full-time reconnaissance platoons were formed in motorized rifle and airborne battalions...

The machine guns and machine guns that were in service with the reconnaissance officers had a version with folding butts and straps for attaching night sights. In the 80s these were AKS-74N and RPKS-74N. Standard weapon of commanders branches there was an AKMSN assault rifle with a PBS silent firing device (at the end of the 80s, the troops began to receive PBS-4 and subsonic cartridges for the AKS-74N, which made it possible to move to a single caliber of small arms in the department). Commander reconnaissance platoon He had a PB pistol as an additional service weapon. In addition, the scouts were equipped with night sights, night vision devices, periscopes (scout tube), mine detectors, steeplejack equipment, camouflage robes and masks.

The collection of information about the tactical situation necessary to solve combat missions assigned to the regiment/brigade was carried out by intelligence company (RR). RR consisted of two (for a regiment) or three (for a brigade) reconnaissance platoons And company management- consisted of personnel of 50-80 fighters (the number depended on standard vehicles or armored vehicles).

The ORB included separate platoons at battalion headquarters - a supply platoon, a communications platoon and an observation reconnaissance platoon (VRN). The tasks of the VRN were to monitor the enemy on the line of contact between troops, through powerful optical systems and using portable ground reconnaissance radar stations (for example, the 1RL133 PSNR-5 product).

1st and 2nd reconnaissance companies the ORB consisted of two reconnaissance platoons And tank platoon. Tank platoon was intended for fire support during reconnaissance in force and was armed with PT-76 light amphibious tanks (for ORB as part of OKSVA - T-55/62) in the amount of 3 units.

3rd reconnaissance and landing company consisted of two reconnaissance platoons and one special reconnaissance platoon(this platoon was intended to carry out reconnaissance and sabotage activities). In each reconnaissance company in service there was one multifunctional combat reconnaissance vehicle BRM-1K, assigned to the company commander.

Regardless of which division ( tank or motorized rifle) belonged to the ORB, its conscript servicemen wore combined arms emblems on their buttonholes, while the color of shoulder straps and sleeve chevrons, as well as the emblem of the branch of service on the chevron, were determined according to the branch of service of the formation (division).

For military personnel 3rd RDR unofficially it was allowed to wear the emblems of the airborne troops on the buttonholes in red (motorized rifle division) or black (tank division) colors. ORB servicemen as part of OKSVA wore the emblems of tank forces.

It should be noted that there is a rare exception in the structure of reconnaissance formations. For 16 years, the USSR Armed Forces had unique reconnaissance brigades that had no relation to the GRU of the General Staff. This 20th and 25th separate reconnaissance brigades as part of the Soviet troops in Mongolia. These brigades consisted of 4 separate reconnaissance battalions, a separate artillery and a separate anti-aircraft missile and artillery division, a helicopter squadron and combat and logistics support units. A feature of reconnaissance battalions was the presence in their composition

A big myth about the belonging of reconnaissance units of the ground forces to units of the Airborne Forces. (Airborne Forces) This is not the first time that all Associations of Airborne Forces Veterans of the Russian Federation have raised this issue. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing special here, but if you think about it more deeply, it becomes clear that in the ranks of the Airborne Forces veterans there are real “mummers” (in disguise). "Mummed paratroopers" are mainly assigned to units and subunits of the ground forces to regiments and divisions of the Airborne Forces. This in turn causes a huge controversy in our circle. Taking into account the fact that reconnaissance airborne companies (RDR), separate reconnaissance battalions (ORB) are part of motorized rifle divisions and brigades, they have nothing to do with the Airborne Forces. The Airborne Forces today are an independent branch of the military (Reserve of the Supreme High Command) and are not subordinate to the command of the ground forces. Therefore, various units of the ground forces were not and cannot be part of the Airborne Forces. A striking example is that those who served (demobilization) in the 907th separate reconnaissance battalion ardently attribute themselves to the winged guard and shout at the top of their lungs that they served in the Airborne Forces. This cannot happen! The 907th separate reconnaissance battalion (ORB city of Totsk) is part of the 27th motorized rifle division (MSD) and is primarily a motorized rifle reconnaissance formation. Let me emphasize - motorized rifle! Since when are motorized rifles related to the Airborne Forces? If their training program includes parachute jumping, then this does not say anything. And the Marines make jumps from military transport aviation (MTA), but they do not consider themselves to be airborne forces. And it is not surprising that on August 2, “massed paratroopers” distort the moral image of the Airborne Forces. The composition of the airborne troops of the Russian Armed Forces includes three main components: air assault; airborne; air assault mountain Divisions 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division (until January 2006 - airborne) (Novorossiysk) 76th Guards Air Assault Division (until January 2006 - airborne) (Pskov) 98- I Guards Airborne Division (Ivanovo) 106th Guards Airborne Division (Tula) Brigades 31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade (Ulyanovsk) (until May 1, 1998 - 328th and 337th Guards Parachute -airborne regiments of the 104th Guards Airborne Division) There are also air assault brigades of district subordination, which were not part of the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces, but since the fall of 2013 they have been included in the Russian Airborne Forces. RF 11th separate airborne, 56th separate airborne, 83rd separate airborne, 100th guards separate airborne brigade, they are the equivalent of motorized rifle troops, part of the ground forces, not having The Airborne Forces have nothing to do with it, but the Airborne Forces command resolves issues of personnel and material support. There are also companies and reconnaissance battalions of tank units and motorized rifle troops (907 ORB in the city of Totsk). These units have airborne training in their training program, but they are also not part of the Airborne Forces. Reconnaissance and landing companies of the Marine Corps, tank and motorized rifle troops are not an integral part of the Airborne Forces. Regiments 38th separate communications regiment (Monino) 45th separate guards special purpose regiment (Kubinka) Educational institutions Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School (Ryazan) 242nd Airborne Training Center (Omsk) Ulyanovsk Guards Suvorov Military School (Ulyanovsk) Commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, Colonel General Vladimir Anatolyevich Shamanov

In our country, the Airborne Forces enjoy well-deserved respect and unfading glory. Not everyone gets to serve in them, but those who felt the strength of the military brotherhood of “Uncle Vasya’s troops” will never forget about it. But even among the airborne forces, reconnaissance is something special. Scouts are revered more than others, since the lives of all the soldiers participating in the operation often depend on their work.

Features of airborne reconnaissance units

In Soviet times, it prescribed the participation of airborne troops in offensive operations. In them, the airborne elite, reconnaissance, was supposed to ensure only a more or less “smooth” landing, with minimal losses of personnel.

Their tasks were assigned by the commander-in-chief of the district to which the corresponding unit was assigned. It was this person who was responsible for obtaining reliable and timely intelligence data. The Airborne Forces headquarters could order everything, right down to satellite images of the proposed landing areas, complete descriptions of the captured objects (down to floor plans). GRU specialists were directly responsible for providing this data.

When did the airborne forces get down to business? Intelligence began to work only after the landing, and supplied information exclusively to its own units. And here we come to the most important thing: the Airborne Forces did not have an operational (!) intelligence service, no matter how paradoxical it may sound. This played a cruel joke on the paratroopers: when in the 80s their units began to participate in local conflicts, it immediately became clear that the current organization was no good.

Difficulty obtaining information

Just imagine: intelligence (!) received almost all the operational information (route, weapons, equipment of the enemy) from the central office of the KGB, and even from the Ministry of Internal Affairs! Of course, in this state of affairs, no one was surprised by either the poorly confirmed data or the delays in receiving it, and behind-the-scenes intrigues spoiled a lot of blood for the landing party...

Having obtained all the necessary information, the group flew to the landing site, studied the current situation on the spot, and immediately marked the route. Only after this did the data go to the commanders on whom airborne reconnaissance depended. "The bats » from the GRU helped their colleagues as much as possible, but their capabilities were not limitless: some specific information could only be obtained by the paratroopers themselves.

It often happened that reconnaissance took the rap for itself and for the main units: they not only paved the way for the group, but also constantly entered into fire contacts with the militants (which in itself is unacceptable in such conditions), making sure that They did not stage provocations; they literally led units of both the Airborne Forces and other branches of the military “by the hand” to the places of operations.

Due to high losses and unpreparedness to carry out such specific tasks, in the early 90s a separate battalion was created, which was tasked with carrying out operational reconnaissance activities. The creation of all the necessary “infrastructure” necessary for the successful completion of the tasks set by the command dates back to the same period.

About technical equipment

How were the airborne forces equipped technically? The reconnaissance did not have anything particularly outstanding: for example, in Afghanistan, specialists had to make do with ordinary binoculars and artillery compasses. Only there they received some types of radar stations that were designed to identify moving targets, and it should also be noted that Western intelligence officers used these “modern” devices for a very long time, which was largely proven by Afghanistan. Airborne reconnaissance in action is a terrible force, but the number of losses in a collision with a better equipped enemy was still high.

A real gift was the series of portable direction finders: “Aqualang-R/U/K”. Unlike previously used equipment of this kind, this equipment made it possible to reliably detect radiation sources, the fighters were able to guarantee the interception of enemy communications on HF and VHF waves, as well as on frequencies traditionally used by airborne reconnaissance. "Bats", GRU special forces, also highly appreciated this technique.

Veterans recall that this technique provided invaluable assistance in detecting bandit groups and gangs, which, before the adoption of Aqualungs, very often went along secret paths. The army command finally managed to convince the party leadership to give the order to begin the creation of a special reconnaissance vehicle designed specifically for the Airborne Forces, but the collapse of the Union prevented these plans from coming to fruition. In principle, the fighters were satisfied with the “Rheostat” machine used until that time, which had good technical equipment.

The problem was that no weapons were installed on it, since initially it was intended for completely different purposes, which were not of interest to airborne reconnaissance. Afghan once again proved that all (!) military equipment must have a standard weapon.

About what you didn't receive

Despite the fact that the Afghan campaign clearly showed the vital need to equip reconnaissance units with weapons with laser target designation, they never appeared in the Airborne Forces (as well as in the entire SA). In fact, active army testing of such weapons began in the Union in the mid-80s, but there was one subtlety here. The fact is that “homing” does not mean the presence of intelligence in the missile: aiming is carried out using a laser “pointer”, which is adjusted from the ground or water. Scouts were ideal candidates for working with laser fire spotters, but our army never had them.

Paratroopers (as well as ordinary infantry, however) often had to master aviation “jargon.” This made it possible to much more accurately direct attack aircraft and helicopters to the target using a regular walkie-talkie. And we didn’t want to get under “friendly” fire ourselves. Even then, everything was different for the Americans: they had means of indicating targets that, in a truly automatic mode, having received data from ground services, could direct combat aircraft and helicopters to the target.

The well-equipped Iraqi troops were completely defeated during Desert Storm: US troops simply “laid” missiles with precise guidance on their tanks. There was practically no risk, but Iraq was almost immediately left without heavy armored vehicles. Our deep reconnaissance airborne forces could only envy them.

Chechen everyday life

If in Afghanistan intelligence was at least engaged in truly specialized activities, then in Chechnya the fighters again became “general specialists”: they often had to not only detect, but also destroy militants. There was a chronic shortage of specialists, many branches of the military had neither equipment nor trained fighters at all, and therefore the Airborne Forces (intelligence in particular) were officially repurposed for conducting reconnaissance and sabotage activities.

Fortunately, by 1995, the recruitment of the 45th Special Purpose Regiment (which has become a real legend) was almost completed. The uniqueness of this unit is that during its creation the experience of all foreign armies was not only studied, but also actively used in practice. Taking into account the lessons of Afghanistan, the groups being trained were immediately trained not only for reconnaissance, but also for direct fire clashes with the enemy.

To achieve this, the 45th Regiment was immediately given the required amount of medium and heavy armored vehicles. In addition, the paratroopers finally have “Nonas” - unique mortar and artillery systems that allow them to fire projectiles with “honest” homing (“Kitolov-2”).

Finally, in other intelligence units, intelligence has gone far ahead in this regard), finally, line branches were created. To equip them, BTR-80s were transferred, which were used only as reconnaissance vehicles (there were no fighters in the airborne squad); crews of AGS (automatic grenade launchers) and flamethrower systems were actively preparing and coordinating.

There was another difficulty too. Our soldiers immediately began to say that the reconnaissance of the Ukrainian Airborne Forces (from selected nationalists) was participating in the war on the side of the militants. Since the fighters were trained only by specialists, even friends often met in battle.

Why was all this done?

All these events made it possible to prepare groups in the shortest possible time, prepared and equipped to carry out combat missions in difficult mountainous conditions. Moreover, these units had a sufficient amount of heavy weapons, which made it possible, when large concentrations of the enemy were detected, not only to report their location, but also to independently engage in battle. Armor often came to the rescue of scouts who were suddenly faced with superior enemy forces.

It was the experience of the airborne troops that gave impetus to the re-equipment of reconnaissance units of other branches of the military, which also received heavy armored vehicles. The fact is that airborne reconnaissance in action has proven that a couple of armored personnel carriers can greatly improve the effectiveness of military operations.

Drones

It was in the 45th regiment that for the first time in our history, combat testing of UAVs began, which are now a real “hit” among the same Americans. The domestic drone did not appear out of nowhere: since the late 80s, there has been active development of the Stroy-P reconnaissance complex, the main “olfactory sense” of which was to be the Bee-1T aircraft.

Unfortunately, it was never completed before the start of the war, since the method of landing had not been thought through. But already in April the first Stroy-P went to Khankala. Five “Bees” were attached to it at once. Tests immediately proved the highest efficiency of this kind of weapons in modern wars. Thus, it was possible to link all identified positions of the militants to the map with literally centimeter accuracy, which the artillerymen immediately appreciated.

Difficulty of operation

A total of 18 launches were made, and all of them were carried out in the mountains, in which military reconnaissance of the Airborne Forces was forced to operate most often. The military immediately had complaints about the running gear of the Bee. However, the technicians managed to achieve satisfactory operation of the engines, after which the exploration depth immediately increased to 50 kilometers or more.

Unfortunately, the difficulties of the 90s led to the fact that only 18 Pchela-1T devices were in service throughout the country. Ten of them were stored at the Black Sea Fleet base in Crimea, where tests were carried out to launch them from the deck of ships. Alas, they were not treated in the best way there: the design bureaus had to work hard to bring the Bees to condition after being stored in unsuitable conditions.

In the end, 15 devices began flying in the Chechen mountains. Two by that time had been lost in combat conditions, and one “Chernomorets” could not be restored.

Gold or drones

Initially, it was planned that at least a hundred such devices would be in service with airborne reconnaissance throughout the country. The joyful military immediately transferred all the technical documentation for their production to the Smolensk Aviation Plant. The working proletarians immediately disappointed them: even according to the most conservative estimates, the unmanned vehicles turned out to be almost more expensive than gold.

Because of this, production was abandoned. The other 15 devices served the reconnaissance officers well: they were taken to the design bureau to be restored, launched again and invariably received the most accurate information that the landing force could not always obtain. Airborne reconnaissance is very grateful to the developers of the Bee, as the hardworking machines made it possible to save many lives.

Scouts-propagandists

Alas, the intelligence command was not always able to correctly use all the means that were at its disposal. Thus, at one time, at least five dozen people, specialists in “psychological operations,” were transferred to Mozdok. They had at their disposal a mobile printing house and a receiving and transmitting television center. With the help of the latter, intelligence services planned to broadcast propaganda materials.

But the command did not provide for the fact that regular specialists could provide a television broadcast, but there were no cameramen or correspondents in the detachment. Things turned out even worse with the leaflets. They turned out to be so poor in content and appearance that they only caused despondency. In general, the position of specialists in psychological work turned out to be not in great demand among intelligence officers.

Logistics and supply issues

Starting from the first campaign, the disgusting equipment of the reconnaissance groups of the Airborne Forces (and other branches of the military as well) began to take its toll, contributing to an increase in injuries and an increase in the risk of detection. As a result, the paratroopers had to attract veterans who raised funds to equip their colleagues. Alas, the Second Chechen War was characterized by exactly the same problems. So, in 2008, the “Union of Paratroopers” collected money for convenient unloading, imported boots, sleeping bags and even for medical supplies...

Unlike previous years, the command began to pay much more attention to the training of small reconnaissance and combat groups. It finally became clear that in modern conditions they are much more important than divisions. Simply put, the role of individual training for each fighter has sharply increased, which is simply vital for intelligence officers, since each of them can rely solely on their own strengths in combat.

What remains unchanged are the airborne reconnaissance chevrons: they depict a bat (like the GRU). In 2005, a decree was issued that ordered all intelligence departments to switch to a chevron with the image of an eagle clutching a carnation and a black arrow in its paws, but so far there has been no particular progress in this direction. Of course, the form of airborne reconnaissance has also completely changed: it has become much more convenient, and a standard unloading has appeared in it.

Compliance of airborne reconnaissance with modern realities

Experts say that the situation today is not very rosy. Of course, the re-equipment process that has begun is encouraging, but the technical equipment does not reach generally accepted standards.

Thus, among the Americans, up to a quarter of the personnel of divisions of any kind of troops belong specifically to reconnaissance. Our share of personnel who can engage in such operations is, at best, 8-9%. Another difficulty is that previously there were separate reconnaissance battalions that trained first-class specialists. Now there are only specialized companies, the level of personnel training in which is far from high.

How to get here

How to get into airborne reconnaissance? First, each candidate must undergo a standard medical examination to determine suitability for combat service. The state of health must correspond (A2 as a last resort).

It will not be superfluous to submit a report addressed to the military commissar of the recruiting station from where you intend to go to repay your debt to the Motherland. At all subsequent commissions, also voice your desire. In the meantime, information about your desire to serve in airborne reconnaissance will appear in your file. At the collection point, try to make personal contact with the “buyers” from the airborne troops.

As soon as you arrive at your place of service, submit a report addressed to the unit commander with a request to transfer you to a reconnaissance company. It is important to withstand further screening, which is done by passing a fairly tough physical fitness exam. Competition is high. The requirements for candidates are extremely high. Let us immediately note that it is necessary to find out about them before being drafted into the army, since the standards change quite often.

Let’s not forget about psychological tests designed to identify those fighters who can really serve in such a specific branch of the military as the Airborne Intelligence Directorate. And these checks should be taken extremely seriously: “with their eyes closed” they will not look at their results here. Only a person who is brave enough, smart enough and can be extremely calm in a deadly situation is worthy of enlisting in an intelligence unit. And further. Preference is given to those candidates who have a university qualification. In addition, people who have a civilian specialty that could be useful (signalmen, electronics engineers) are highly rated.

Don't forget about intelligence. As is the case with many of the most important branches of the military (border guards, in particular), preference is now given to those soldiers who have served compulsory service in the same troops to which they are applying for enlistment. Here's how to get into airborne reconnaissance.

Today is Military Intelligence Day in Russia. Happy holiday friends, good luck and health to you! You need all this in your profession - military intelligence officer.

Below is a friend's report about them, about the guys from intelligence. A couple of my remarks.
First, I don’t understand why tank reconnaissance officers need parachute jumps? For this purpose there are specialists, airborne forces and special forces. It would be better if they learned to crawl more on earth. And even the norms of jumps per year are higher than those of the landing force.
Secondly, what caught my eye was the violation of the senior driver’s uniform: a paratroop vest under an unbuttoned collar.
Third - on questions. The author of the report is outraged that year after year the same questions are asked about the life of soldiers. To this I want to say that everything comes from the top. They start the day and, making up their minds, talk about it? Foot wraps, berets, irons and washing machines for the barracks. And the press picks up all this. People are just interested.
Something like this. However, read the report

Original taken from army_reporter in Cocky, angry and stupid

A group of reconnaissance officers awaiting a command to capture the command and staff vehicle of a mock enemy

It so happens that professional holidays and memorial days established in our armed forces mostly fall in the fall. Another significant date was November 5 - Military Intelligence Day. Many sources on the Internet claim that this date was not chosen by chance. It was on this day in 1918 that the Registration Directorate was formed to coordinate the efforts of all intelligence agencies of the Red Army. The initiator of this innovation was Leon Trotsky, at that time the chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council.

Whatever one may say, this year the warriors of the invisible front are celebrating the 95th anniversary of their legendary profession. This is a long time and this circumstance forces me to return to the army again. I didn’t have to go far: the nearest Moscow region - the city of Naro-Fominsk - 4th Guards Tank Division - 137th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion.

Officers of the 137th separate reconnaissance battalion explain to young soldiers the procedure for assembling the D-6 parachute

At the agreed time I arrived at the division parade ground. Soldiers and officers were already bustling around here with all their might - parachute packing classes were underway. Imagine, tank crews (reconnaissance battalion) are preparing for jumps and learning how to fold parachutes. My first question sounded quite adequate: For what? In response, I received an equally adequate, short and succinct answer: the number of tasks has increased! It turns out that since 2010, military reconnaissance soldiers have been making parachute jumps. Now every scout must land from the air. Starting this year, by order of the command, the number of jumps during the year was doubled: there were 6, they made 12. This is now the order in the tank forces.

Officers of the 137th separate reconnaissance battalion demonstrate to young soldiers the procedure for assembling a D-6 parachute

Then there were demonstration performances in hand-to-hand combat. As always, it’s spectacular, beautiful and harmonious here. From the unusual: recently fighters began to use some elements from Kyokushin karate. I don’t know how much this will affect the combat effectiveness of the reconnaissance officers, but it sounds somehow menacing and this, I hope, will have an effect on the potential enemy.

Soldiers of the reconnaissance company of the 13th Tank Regiment demonstrate their skills in Kyokushin karate

Soldiers of the reconnaissance company of the 13th tank regiment demonstrate techniques with weapons

Soldiers of the reconnaissance company of the 13th tank regiment demonstrate hand-to-hand combat techniques

After hand-to-hand combat, we went to a well-known place near the village of Golovenki - the division’s training ground. At the training ground we were promised to demonstrate known methods for obtaining the necessary information about the enemy and some of the skills and tasks of modern military reconnaissance officers. While we were driving to the training ground, I managed to look through my mail in anticipation of questions about the announcement of my trip to the legendary tank division.

These are the typical questions I received from one of the readers:
Are there showers in the barracks? What quality are they? Do their father-commanders allow their personnel to approach them? Or are they just for show? Have washing machines been installed? Is there a buffet and afternoon nap? And what qualitative impact does all this have on combat training? What are conscripts wearing? What do they wear on guard duty, especially in winter? And, to be honest, are they involved in solving the economic problems of the unit? Well, it’s like sweeping, digging cables, etc.

I don’t quite understand why nothing changes from year to year, and readers ask the same questions. To be honest, I'm tired of it! When going into the army, I first try to sniff out everything about the combat training and fortitude of the soldiers, and not the smell of their armpits and the degree of rancidity of their socks. My personal opinion: every young soldier should be mentally prepared to serve in the army. And he should not be afraid of such inconveniences in the army as cold water, lack of sleep during the afternoon quiet hour and some chores. Despite this, I will continue to monitor the living and material conditions of service of all categories of military personnel!

In answering questions from a specific reader, I report what I learned and saw on my own:

There are showers, two per location. No one forbids washing in the showers. I didn’t have time to find out about the washing machines. The buffet is planned to be launched in the near future. I didn’t specify about the dream. They were shod in ankle boots - I saw them myself. I don’t know about all the chores, but during my stay in the unit, on October 31, a group of people in civilian clothes were clearing leaves from the trees. Currently, the division's reconnaissance battalion is in the process of formation. Perhaps the reader will be somewhat reassured by the fact that conscripts are returning to the battalion, but on a contract basis.

Senior driver of the 137th separate reconnaissance battalion Artem Panteleev (right) explains to a young soldier how to prevent gasoline from leaking from a car’s gas tank

I managed to meet one of them - Muscovite Artem Panteleev, senior driver of the reconnaissance battalion. He served conscript service in 2003-2005. I signed a contract in June of this year. When asked why he returned to the army, he answered that he missed the adrenaline of the army. At a survival course for contract soldiers, Artem managed to meet a girl soldier. She is also a contract soldier - a paramedic in the 12th tank regiment. Cash allowance - 33 thousand satisfied. They are planning to get married next spring and are already expecting a child. Somehow this is how the guy settled down. I think that he has found his place in life and will definitely not disappear in the army!

Operator N is preparing to launch an unmanned aerial vehicle

Returning to the demonstration exercises at the training ground, I report that we were demonstrated the basic skills, knowledge and abilities of the military reconnaissance officers of the Kantemirovsky tank division: shooting from various types of weapons, launching unmanned aerial vehicles, capturing a command and staff vehicle, mine-hunting activities, training two snipers , well, the most exciting thing for me was the obstacle course. And here special thanks go to the soldiers and officers of the reconnaissance company of the 13th Tank Regiment. They smoked, made a lot of noise, shot a lot, effectively and beautifully. In order to somehow feel the atmosphere of combat training and the fortitude of some of the scouts of the legendary tank division, I invite all readers of my magazine to look at my photographs from the scene.

Two snipers very slowly perform the necessary actions before shooting

Airborne troops are one of the strongest components of the army of the Russian Federation. In recent years, due to the tense international situation, the importance of the Airborne Forces has been increasing. The size of the territory of the Russian Federation, its landscape diversity, as well as borders with almost all conflict states, indicate that it is necessary to have a large supply of special groups of troops that can provide the necessary protection in all directions, which is what the air force is.

In contact with

Because air force structure is vast, the question often arises of the Airborne Forces and the Airborne Battalion, are they the same troops? The article examines the differences between them, the history, goals and military training of both organizations, composition.

Differences between troops

The differences lie in the names themselves. The DSB is an air assault brigade, organized and specialized in attacks close to the enemy rear in the event of large-scale military operations. Air assault brigades subordinate to the Airborne Forces - airborne troops, as one of their units and specialize only in assault captures.

Airborne Forces are airborne troops, whose tasks are the capture of the enemy, as well as the capture and destruction of enemy weapons and other air operations. The functionality of the Airborne Forces is much broader - reconnaissance, sabotage, assault. For a better understanding of the differences, let's consider the history of the creation of the Airborne Forces and the Airborne Shock Battalion separately.

History of the Airborne Forces

The Airborne Forces began its history in 1930, when an operation was carried out near the city of Voronezh on August 2, where 12 people parachuted from the air as part of a special unit. This operation then opened the eyes of the leadership to new opportunities for paratroopers. Next year, at the base Leningrad Military District, a detachment is formed, which received a long name - airborne and numbered about 150 people.

The effectiveness of the paratroopers was obvious and the Revolutionary Military Council decided to expand it by creating airborne troops. The order was issued at the end of 1932. At the same time, in Leningrad, instructors were trained, and later they were distributed to districts according to special-purpose aviation battalions.

In 1935, the Kyiv military district demonstrated to foreign delegations the full power of the Airborne Forces by staging an impressive landing of 1,200 paratroopers, who quickly captured the airfield. Later, similar exercises were held in Belarus, as a result of which the German delegation, impressed by the landing of 1,800 people, decided to organize its own airborne detachment, and then a regiment. Thus, The Soviet Union is rightfully the birthplace of the Airborne Forces.

In 1939, our airborne troops there is an opportunity to show yourself in practice. In Japan, the 212th brigade was landed on the Khalkin-Gol River, and a year later the 201, 204 and 214 brigades were involved in the war with Finland. Knowing that the Second World War would not pass us by, 5 air corps of 10 thousand people each were formed and the Airborne Forces acquired a new status - guards troops.

The year 1942 was marked by the largest airborne operation during the war, which took place near Moscow, where about 10 thousand paratroopers were dropped into the German rear. After the war, it was decided to annex the Airborne Forces to the Supreme High Command and appoint the commander of the Airborne Forces of the USSR Ground Forces, this honor falls to Colonel General V.V. Glagolev.

Big innovations in airborne the troops came with “Uncle Vasya”. In 1954 V.V. Glagolev is replaced by V.F. Margelov and held the position of commander of the Airborne Forces until 1979. Under Margelov, the Airborne Forces are supplied with new military equipment, including artillery installations, combat vehicles, and special attention is paid to working under conditions of a surprise attack with nuclear weapons.

Airborne troops took part in all the most significant conflicts - the events of Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Nagorno-Karabakh, North and South Ossetia. Several of our battalions carried out UN peacekeeping missions on the territory of Yugoslavia.

Nowadays, the ranks of the Airborne Forces include about 40 thousand fighters; during special operations, paratroopers form its basis, since the Airborne Forces are a highly qualified component of our army.

History of the formation of the DSB

Air assault brigades began their history after it was decided to rework the tactics of the Airborne Forces in the context of the outbreak of large-scale military operations. The purpose of such ASBs was to disorganize opponents through mass landings close to the enemy; such operations were most often carried out from helicopters in small groups.

Towards the end of the 60s in the Far East, it was decided to form 11 and 13 brigades with helicopter regiments. These regiments were deployed mainly in hard-to-reach areas; the first landing attempts took place in the northern cities of Magdacha and Zavitinsk. Therefore, in order to become a paratrooper of this brigade, strength and special endurance were needed, since the weather conditions were almost unpredictable, for example, in winter the temperature reached -40 degrees, and in the summer there was abnormal heat.

Place of deployment of the first airborne gunships The Far East was chosen for a reason. This was a time of difficult relations with China, which worsened further after a clash of interests on the island of Damascus. The brigades were ordered to prepare to repel an attack from China, which could attack at any time.

High level and importance of DSB was demonstrated during exercises in the late 80s on the island of Iturup, where 2 battalions and artillery landed on MI-6 and MI-8 helicopters. The garrison, due to weather conditions, was not warned about the exercise, as a result of which fire was opened on those who landed, but thanks to the highly qualified training of the paratroopers, none of the participants in the operation were injured.

In those same years, the DSB consisted of 2 regiments, 14 brigades, and about 20 battalions. One brigade at a time were attached to one military district, but only to those that had access to the border by land. Kyiv also had its own brigade, 2 more brigades were given to our units located abroad. Each brigade had an artillery division, logistics and combat units.

After the USSR ceased to exist, the country’s budget did not allow the massive maintenance of the army, so there was nothing else to do but disband some units of the Airborne Forces and Airborne Forces. The beginning of the 90s was marked by the removal of the DSB from the subordination of the Far East and its transfer to full subordination to Moscow. The air assault brigades are being transformed into separate airborne brigades - 13 Airborne Brigade. In the mid-90s, the airborne reduction plan disbanded the 13th Airborne Forces Brigade.

Thus, from the above it is clear that the DShB was created as one of the structural divisions of the Airborne Forces.

Composition of the Airborne Forces

The composition of the Airborne Forces includes the following units:

• airborne;
• air assault;
• mountain (which operate exclusively at mountainous heights).

These are the three main components of the Airborne Forces. In addition, they consist of a division (76.98, 7, 106 Guards Air Assault), brigade and regiment (45, 56, 31, 11, 83, 38 Guards Airborne). A brigade was created in Voronezh in 2013, receiving the number 345.

Airborne Forces personnel prepared in educational institutions of the military reserve of Ryazan, Novosibirsk, Kamenets-Podolsk, and Kolomenskoye. Training was carried out in the areas of parachute landing (air assault) platoon and commanders of reconnaissance platoons.

The school produced about three hundred graduates annually - this was not enough to satisfy the personnel requirements of the airborne troops. Consequently, it was possible to become a member of the Airborne Forces by graduating from airborne departments in special areas of schools such as general arms and military departments.

Preparation

The command staff of the airborne battalion was most often selected from the airborne forces, and battalion commanders, deputy battalion commanders, and company commanders were selected from the nearest military districts. In the 70s, due to the fact that the leadership decided to repeat their experience - to create and staff the DSB, planned enrollment in educational institutions is expanding, who trained future airborne officers. The mid-80s were marked by the fact that officers were released to serve in the Airborne Forces, having been trained under the educational program for the Airborne Forces. Also during these years, a complete reshuffle of officers was carried out; it was decided to replace almost all of them in the DShV. At the same time, excellent students went to serve mainly in the Airborne Forces.

To join the Airborne Forces, as in the DSB, it is necessary to meet specific criteria:

• height 173 and above;
• average physical development;
• secondary education;
• without medical restrictions.

If everything matches, then the future fighter begins training.

Particular attention is paid, of course, to the physical training of airborne paratroopers, which is carried out constantly, starting with a daily rise at 6 am, hand-to-hand combat (a special training program) and ending with long forced marches of 30–50 km. Therefore, every fighter has enormous endurance and endurance, besides, children who have been involved in any sport that develops that same endurance are selected into their ranks. To test it, they take an endurance test - in 12 minutes a fighter must run 2.4-2.8 km, otherwise there is no point in serving in the Airborne Forces.

It is worth noting that it is not for nothing that they are called universal fighters. These people can operate in various areas in any weather conditions absolutely silently, can camouflage themselves, own all types of weapons, both their own and the enemy’s, control any type of transport and means of communication. In addition to excellent physical preparation, psychological preparation is also required, since fighters have to overcome not only long distances, but also “work with their heads” to get ahead of the enemy throughout the entire operation.

Intellectual aptitude is determined using tests compiled by experts. Psychological compatibility in the team is necessarily taken into account; the guys are included in a certain detachment for 2-3 days, after which the senior officers evaluate their behavior.

Psychophysical preparation is carried out, which implies tasks with increased risk, where there is both physical and mental stress. Such tasks are aimed at overcoming fear. At the same time, if it turns out that the future paratrooper does not experience a feeling of fear at all, then he is not accepted for further training, since he is quite naturally taught to control this feeling, and is not completely eradicated. Airborne Forces training gives our country a huge advantage in terms of fighters over any enemy. Most VDVeshnikov already lead a familiar lifestyle even after retirement.

Armament of the Airborne Forces

As for technical equipment, the Airborne Forces use combined arms equipment and equipment specially designed for the nature of this type of troops. Some of the samples were created during the USSR, but the bulk were developed after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Soviet period cars include:

• amphibious combat vehicle - 1 (the number reaches 100 units);
• BMD-2M (approximately 1 thousand units), they are used in both ground and parachute landing methods.

These techniques have been tested for many years and took part in multiple armed conflicts that took place on the territory of our country and abroad. Nowadays, in conditions of rapid progress, these models are outdated both morally and physically. A little later, the BMD-3 model was released and today the number of such equipment is only 10 units, since production has ceased, they plan to gradually replace it with the BMD-4.

The Airborne Forces are also armed with armored personnel carriers BTR-82A, BTR-82AM and BTR-80 and the most numerous tracked armored personnel carrier - 700 units, and it is also the most outdated (mid-70s), it is gradually being replaced by an armored personnel carrier - MDM "Rakushka". There are also 2S25 Sprut-SD anti-tank guns, an armored personnel carrier - RD "Robot", and ATGMs: "Konkurs", "Metis", "Fagot", and "Cornet". Air defense represented by missile systems, but a special place is given to a new product that recently appeared in service with the Airborne Forces - the Verba MANPADS.

Not long ago new models of equipment appeared:

• armored car "Tiger";
• Snowmobile A-1;
• Kamaz truck - 43501.

As for communication systems, they are represented by locally developed electronic warfare systems “Leer-2 and 3”, Infauna, system control is represented by air defense “Barnaul”, “Andromeda” and “Polet-K” - automation of command and control.

Weapon represented by samples, for example, the Yarygin pistol, PMM and the PSS silent pistol. The Soviet Ak-74 assault rifle is still the personal weapon of paratroopers, but is gradually being replaced by the newest AK-74M, and the silent Val assault rifle is also used in special operations. There are parachute systems of both Soviet and post-Soviet types, which can parachute large quantities of soldiers and all the military equipment described above. Heavier equipment includes automatic grenade launchers AGS-17 “Plamya” and AGS-30, SPG-9.

Armament of the DShB

The DShB had transport and helicopter regiments, which numbered:

• about twenty mi-24, forty mi-8 and forty mi-6;
• the anti-tank battery was armed with a 9 MD mounted anti-tank grenade launcher;
• the mortar battery included eight 82-mm BM-37s;
• the anti-aircraft missile platoon had nine Strela-2M MANPADS;
• it also included several BMD-1s, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers for each airborne assault battalion.

The armament of the brigade artillery group consisted of GD-30 howitzers, PM-38 mortars, GP 2A2 cannons, the Malyutka anti-tank missile system, SPG-9MD, and ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun.

Heavier equipment includes automatic grenade launchers AGS-17 “Flame” and AGS-30, SPG-9 “Spear”. Aerial reconnaissance is carried out using the domestic Orlan-10 drone.

One interesting fact took place in the history of the Airborne Forces: for quite a long time, thanks to erroneous media information, special forces (Special Forces) soldiers were not rightfully called paratroopers. The thing is, what is in the Air Force of our country in the Soviet Union, as in the post-Soviet Union, there were and do not exist Special Forces troops, but there are divisions and units of the Special Forces of the GRU of the General Staff, which arose in the 50s. Until the 80s, the command was forced to completely deny their existence in our country. Therefore, those who were appointed to these troops learned about them only after being accepted into service. For the media they were disguised as motorized rifle battalions.

Airborne Forces Day

Paratroopers celebrate the birthday of the Airborne Forces, like the DShB since August 2, 2006. This kind of gratitude for the efficiency of air units, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation was signed in May of the same year. Despite the fact that the holiday was declared by our government, the birthday is celebrated not only in our country, but also in Belarus, Ukraine and most CIS countries.

Every year, airborne veterans and active soldiers meet in the so-called “meeting place”, each city has its own, for example, in Astrakhan “Brotherly Garden”, in Kazan “Victory Square”, in Kiev “Hydropark”, in Moscow “Poklonnaya Gora”, Novosibirsk "Central Park". Demonstrations, concerts and fairs are held in large cities.