Russian and Syrian military pilots conducted their first joint air patrols along the Golan Heights and the Euphrates from Khmeimim, Seikal and Dumeir airfields, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters.
"The patrol route ran along the Golan Heights, then along the southern border, up along the Euphrates and over the northern regions of the Syrian Arab Republic. <...> The Russian pilots took off from the Khmeimim airbase, their Syrian counterparts from Seikal and Dumeir airfields near Damascus," the military ministry said.
The ministry said that the Russian air force was represented by Su-34 and Su-35 and long-range A-50 radar detection aircraft, while the Syrian side was represented by Mig-23 and Mig-29 aircraft.
According to the military department, "Syrian pilots were responsible for airspace control and fighter cover during the patrol, and Russian crews practiced strikes on ground targets". They explained that during the patrols they carried out training launches of missiles at air targets and hit ground targets at one of the firing ranges located in the central part of the country.
"As a result of the joint patrols, the pilots of the two friendly countries gained skills on how to interact in various situations. Such joint flights will become regular from now on," the Defense Ministry stressed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS