The Moldavian Defense Ministry's press service told RIA Novosti that the exercise involved 195 Russian and Moldavian personnel, 20 military personnel carriers and a AN-2T aircraft.
The exercise's schedule provides for ten types of peacekeeping operations, in particular, psychological training, check-point activities, patrolling, rescue of flood victims, personnel activities upon unexpected arrival at a mine field, counter terrorism in built-up areas, escort of humanitarian convoys.
The Blue Shield-2004 is the sixth training operation organized by Moldavia's and Russia's Defense Ministries. Last year similar exercise was held in the Russian town of Naro-Fominsk (Moscow region). The military maneuvers are conducted in compliance with the bilateral military cooperation plan between the two countries' Defense Ministries for 2004.
