The airbase has changed a lot over the past 12 months. Its runaway has been reconstructed to receive all types of aircraft in use in Russia's armed forces. The base has been provided with new navigation equipment and the personnel unit compound has been landscaped. The base's personnel have grown, while another 100 personnel are expected to arrive at the base soon, which will be their permanent duty location. The aircraft fleet has been replenished as well.
Close to 1,500 Russian personnel, a few Su fighters, Il transport planes, and Kirgizia's Albatros training planes and Mi-8 helicopters are being currently deployed at the base. Nearly all the aircraft was engaged in Frontier 2004, the massive drills conducted by the Collective Security Treaty Organisation's rapid deployment forces. The drills took place on the mountainous Edelveis firing range near the Kirgizian town of Balychki in August.
In 2004, several Russian regions, among them Moscow, St Petersburg and the Sverdlov Region, have pledged to patronise the airbase. The base's audio and video equipment and computers were presented by the sponsors who also arranged for pop music concerts at the base.
Colonel General Esen Topoyev, the Kirgizian Defence Minister, is expected to attend the celebrations, while an impressive group of Russian senior military officials led by Air Force Chief Commander Vladimir Mikhailov will arrive on the occasion. The Urals Military District's dance and song group will give a concert at Kant.
