The main task is to get support from the people of Afghanistan, always so different, and now, more than ever, distrustful.

American soldiers seek to establish good relations with the Afghans. Reuters photo

“In the 80s we fought in Afghanistan with the whole world, and now there the whole world is hopelessly at war with a much weaker adversary.” Thus, while recording a talk show on the Zvezda TV channel, a veteran of the GRU special forces answered my question about the prospects for the presence of an international military contingent in a country well known to many compatriots.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?

On August 20, Afghans are to elect a new head of state. More than 40 people apply for this post. Meanwhile, the general picture in the country now is as follows. Most of the US allies in the coalition are located in Kabul, its environs and the relatively safe areas of Afghanistan.

Only Canadians, British and Dutch are allowed to actually fight in the "flaming south" of the entire international contingent. But even for them, the NATO mandate ends in 2010, and, apparently, the parliaments of European states, in which the war in Afghanistan is very unpopular, will not renew their allied obligations. There is a high probability that later Washington will have to clear up the "Afghan mess" alone. Accordingly, in order to look into the future, in the "fog of war" it is best to turn to the American component of the NATO contingent.

Here, too, it is not without problems. Last fall, the commander of the American group in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, asked for a reinforcement of 30 thousand soldiers and officers - three brigades, aviation and support units. But at the end of 2008, 146,000 US troops were in Iraq and 38,000 in Afghanistan. It is clear that in parallel with the reduction of the contingent in Iraq, the United States will gradually transfer the released and rested units to Afghanistan. But for now, without extending stays and shortening rest periods between missions, the Pentagon can only send two brigades here. What President Barack Obama did by issuing appropriate orders to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. However, this is clearly not enough for a future victory, and on February 18, at a briefing at the Pentagon, McKiernan honestly warned: "Even with these additional forces, I must say that 2009 will be a difficult year."

In a recent interview with the BBC correspondent, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that at the first stage of the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan, the Russian Federation not only approved the actions of the coalition forces of the North Atlantic Alliance, but also took a significant part in overthrowing the Taliban regime. In addition, Russia recently provided its transport routes to supply the Afghan NATO group. This is probably still an objective indicator that now the presence of foreign troops here is objectively needed by everyone.

So what are the US troops really trying to do in southern Afghanistan? Is there really a “struggle of ignorance against injustice” going on there, or is the West still striving to do what the USSR failed to do in its time - to finally stop this endless war? In order to find out, on the eve of the new year 2009, we went there with Roman Genn, an artist from the Los Angeles Times.

FOUR ELEMENTS

We were introduced to the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Afghanistan (SPMAGTF-A).

This is a variant of the MAGTF, the United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces. It is based on the principles of necessary sufficiency, maximum efficiency, efficiency and autonomy of actions. The prefix Special Purpose usually implies some kind of special tasks, and not necessarily combat ones.

MAGTF always consists of four elements. Depending on the scale of the problem, its core - the so-called "combat ground element" - can be presented in various formats - from an infantry battalion to a reinforced division. In addition to the combat ground element, the MAGTF has three more - command, combat aviation and combat support.

At the time of our stay in Afghanistan, the MAGTF was represented in its smallest format, roughly equal to the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The number is about 2200 people. There are seven full-time detachments - three each in the Pacific and Atlantic fleets and one - at a base in Okinawa. True, in Afghanistan SPMAGTF-A is not a regular MEU. But more about the history of this issue below.

So, how are forces and means distributed in SPMAGTF-A:

– command element (CE) coordinates and manages. Under him are units and subunits of reconnaissance. Within the framework of the expeditionary detachment, the commander of the Marine Corps regiment, respectively, the colonel, is appointed the main one. His regiment is considered a command element. On November 26, 2008, in SPMAGTF-A, this element was headed by Colonel Duffy White, commander of the 3rd Marine Regiment (Kaneoha Bay base in Hawaii). It is located at the NATO KAF base in Kandahar. Here we were flying, we did not have time to meet, but he conveyed his greetings to us;

– Combat Ground Element (GCE). Of course, this is the main striking force. It conducts ground operations and is represented by an infantry unit - from a battalion to a reinforced division. As a rule, this element is one, but in exceptional cases there may be several. In SPMAGTF-A, his role is now filled by the reinforced 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines (3/8) from Camp Legjune, North Carolina. It is deployed at the base of Fort Bastion, and the units are scattered throughout the south of the country. Accordingly, his commander, Lieutenant Colonel David Odom, also didn’t have much free time, and we started a casual conversation in the general queue for dinner in the garrison canteen, and continued at the common table with the privates. For some reason, there were no VIP rooms for the authorities. Maybe because the dry law and everyone is fed equally well. The Lieutenant Colonel told us much of what is described below. But the next paragraph is information “from outside”. Perhaps not entirely accurate, but interesting.

So, the legendary 1st Combat Reconnaissance Company from Camp Pendleton was added to the reinforcement of the battalion. (Even kids know her from the Force Recon video game). Does this mean that somewhere there should be another lieutenant colonel and 200 fighters of various specializations, including their own support and communications? But if it is there, then, probably, it still refers to the element of Colonel White. However, if there is, then it is important that there is.

There is information about the presence of the headquarters battalion of the 2nd Marine Division, the 2nd Engineer Battalion (both from Camp Legjune) and some other units of the Marine Corps, including a heavy truck unit. However, fact checking in this case is a waste of time. All sites of the US Marine Corps are closed to Russia. It looks like we offended them in some way.

By the way, 3/8 is the only battalion in the US Marine Corps that is armed with 120-mm mortars. For the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, this is very relevant - we saw them in action already at the mountain outpost;

- combat aviation element (ACE). The task is not only to ensure the actions of the ground element, but also to conduct independent combat operations. That is why it is a separate element (though, like all the others), and not a dowry. By the way, ACE is always alone, although it can be deployed at several airfields. In SPMAGTF-A, they decided to make it consolidated.

Under the command of the 3rd Headquarters Squadron, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MWHS-3), from Miramar Base in California, the following flew: 269th Light Helicopter Squadron (HMLA-269), called Gunrunners, New River Base in North Carolina, in service - combat and transport-landing rotorcraft; 466th Heavy Transport Helicopter Squadron (HMH-466) Wolfpack, Miramar Base, California; 252nd KC-130J Hercules Tanker Squadron, Cherry Point Base, North Carolina (probably also call themselves something).

We did not see the ACE commander and 3/3 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Ostermeyer, but we flew on his subordinate "super stallions". And he gave us a "supercobra" to accompany us - it's supposed to. On February 1 of this year, Ostermeyer transferred command of the SPMAGTF-A air element to 2/3 Commander Lt. Col. Michael Watkins;

- Combat Support and Support Element (CSSE). Everyone is here - engineers and doctors, logisticians and signalmen. And many more. The principle of action is correct - you fight, and we will comprehensively provide you, fix and treat you. But not only. For example, while we were on patrol in the mountains of Gulistan, the CSSE, under the cover of fraternal elements, was restoring the road between the centers of two counties in the province of Farah. Here he was in charge. Built and reported as fulfilling its own independent task.

In March, word came that CSSE Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mike Jernigan, with whom we talked a lot at Fort Bastion, after successfully completing the assigned tasks, was withdrawing his element to his homeland. Congratulations on your replacement.

So, in this version of the "elementary system" of the four commanders - two "Hawaiians", a North Carolinian and a Californian. And it seems that they succeed in everything (well, almost everything) in terms of interaction, despite the fact that they are from different fleets. (Nevertheless, this year a decision was made to place Afghanistan under the full control of the Marines from the Atlantic Fleet).

Thus, assembled and trained "to order" independent elements under the general direction provide incredible efficiency, for which some Marines appreciate, others envy. But experience is passed on. In the US ground forces, after the start of the global war on terrorism, similar structures were also created under the name Brigade Combat Team (BCT). But they are larger and more dependent.

And now - a little about the history of the stay of the marines in such an unusual distance from their native sea-ocean.

FIRST APPEARANCE… AND SECOND COMING

For the first time, US Marines appear in Afghanistan just a few weeks after the events of September 11, 2001. Approximately 1,000 Marines arrive here in their usual way. Starting from the universal landing ship Peleliu, they overcome 650 km by air. Operation Swift Freedom begins in Afghanistan, America's first battle against terrorism. Marines are being drawn to it from both the West and East coasts of the United States - the 26th MEU from Camp Legjune and the 15th MEU from Camp Pendleton. For the Corps, this is a rare case, but in the conditions of Afghanistan, it will be repeated more than once. For four years, the Marines fight the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and then the war in Iraq divides the US forces into two fronts, and they depart for Mesopotamia.

To be honest, the second time we wanted to somehow do without them. But shrewd Corps Commandant James Conway senses something is wrong. Already in September 2007, he begins to hint at the possibility of returning to Afghanistan and is preparing the 24th expeditionary detachment from the Camp Lejune base.

He is not wrong. By the beginning of 2008, the Pentagon was unable to persuade the participants in the operation from other NATO countries to strengthen their contingents in Afghanistan. The situation in the south of the country is escalating. The United States is forced to act independently, and the 24th expeditionary flies to Kandahar. Its regular ground combat element is the 1st battalion of the 6th regiment. They act as they did last time - the 2nd Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment arrives here from the Twentynine Palms base in California, that is, from the Pacific Ocean. His job is to train local security forces. Since spring, this "consolidated detachment" begins to operate very successfully. The 24th remains MEU and 2/7 becomes MAGTF. Then there are reports in the press that this is “the largest detachment of marines sent to Afghanistan over the past 4 years.”

During the first major operation in many years by American troops in Afghanistan, instead of teaching work, 2/7 is forced to fight. He suffers losses - about 20 people. In July, the business trip of the 24th detachment is extended, in August it was ordered to "delay" and 2/7. Reinforcements are being moved from Iraq to Afghanistan. 200 military personnel arrive - four crews of Cobra helicopters, four - MH-53 and specialists from support units - mainly engineering and sapper.

The result - in a month and a half, the area of ​​the town of Garmser in the south of Helmand province was “cleaned up”, where about 400 Taliban were destroyed.

In September the situation becomes calmer. Excess forces are instantly removed (1/6 is withdrawn), and SPMAGTF-A is formed from the remaining ones. In November, 3/8 arrives to replace 2/7 from Camp Legjune. The Marine Corps is halved.

BRIGADE CONTRACT

But after the Afghan winter, the Afghan spring always inexorably comes. We prudently fly from Afghanistan in all directions, and on February 17, 2009, the US Secretary of Defense orders two additional combat units to be sent here with a total number of 12 thousand people.

One of them is the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from the same base at Camp Legjune. Combat Brigade - During the invasion of Iraq in 2003 under the name Task Force Tarawa (TFT), it participated in the first major battle of the Iraq War on the streets of Nasiriyah. In Afghanistan, its number is determined at 8 thousand people. On March 15 of this year, the commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Lieutenant General Dennis Hadglick, introduces to the brigade its new commander, Brigadier General Larry Nicholson.

The elements of the brigade are as follows:

CE - Brigade Headquarters Group - 5/10 (Camp Lejune). (By the way, this battalion is artillery).

GCE - 3rd Regimental Combat Team 3 - 2/3 (Hawaii), 3/11 (Twentynine Palms, California). Two more battalions, 1/5 (Camp Pendleton, Calif.) and 2/8 (Camp Legjune, NC) were initially being prepared for deployment to Iraq this spring. But they changed their mind. There is also a reconnaissance battalion from Camp Legjun in the group.

ACE - 40th Marine Aircraft Group (Marine Aircraft Group 40): 214th Squadron (AV-8B Harrier), tanker squadron, 2nd UAV squadron (all - Cherry Point, North Carolina), 169th Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (Camp Pendleton, CA); 369 Heavy Helicopter Squadron (Kaneoha Bay, Hawaii); and 772 Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMN-772) (Willow Grove, PA). It was decided not to send the MV-22 Osprey convertiplanes to Afghanistan, which have proven themselves well in Iraq.

CSSE - 2nd Combat Support Regiment: 8th Combat Support Battalion and 8th Engineer Support Battalion (all at Camp Legjune, NC).

According to the commander of the 2/8, Lieutenant Colonel Christian Cabanisse, culture is becoming the main component of his battalion's training. The subordinates of the battalion commander, many of whom have already been in Afghanistan, even learn the Pashto language. Apparently, it is this battalion that will replace 3/8 in the role of the SPMAGTF-A ground combat element. Thus, by the summer, the US Marine Corps in the south and east of Afghanistan will exceed 10,000 people.

A COMPLEX APPROACH

The term "expeditionary forces" itself implies the task of not only capturing and holding the territory determined by the order of the distant command, but independently and comprehensively equipping it. It is clear that the Marines are taught, in addition to, of course, military affairs, also to perform police functions. We were convinced of this after spending more than a week at a distant outpost. Here, a reinforced platoon of marines trains and rapidly builds up local security forces - the personnel of the county police department. In other places, both border guards and army men may turn out to be wards. Well, for sure, somewhere in the depths of the headquarters dugout, a specialist in undercover intelligence is hiding. It is worth noting that no one exempts the unit from performing purely combat missions.

In addition, the platoon commander coordinates the actions of the local administration on many economic issues, in particular, the distribution of humanitarian aid and the restoration of infrastructure thoroughly damaged by civil strife. The transition of local agriculture from opiates to grains is more of a moral and political issue. Poppy is more profitable for sale, and the local lads actively oppose such agrarian reform. But the platoon commander is diligently trying to solve this problem.

The officer is also interested in progress in the system of education and culture. In general, Al-Qaeda is the opposite - on the basis of each smallest army cell, a complex local structure grows.

In general, such tactics do not differ much from the measures that the envoys of the USSR tried to implement in the 80s of the last century. However, instead of the then parallel, sometimes loosely connected, and often conflicting structures of the 40th Army, special services, apparatuses of military and civilian advisers, everything is concentrated here in one hand. Or almost one. Surely there is a lot to learn.

... And after our departure, SPMAGTF-A was reinforced with a purely female unit. Specialization - work with representatives of the beautiful half of the local population. But do not hesitate and be sure that the "marines" will be able to go on the attack if something happens ...

In this direction, and the brigade now moving to Afghanistan has a very specific “strengthening”. She was given representatives of the State Department and the US Department of Agriculture. Their main task is the same - to reorient the local peasantry from poppy seeds to bread and cotton. Poppy is the main ingredient in the drug trade. It is he who allows the Taliban to maintain combat capability. As they say in Afghanistan: "If there is no poppy, there will be no war."

Representatives of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will also work in the "heart of Asia". It is specifically engaged in providing direct economic and technical assistance to developing countries in areas such as agriculture, health, nutrition and education. So the Afghan issue will be resolved not only by "fire and sword."

CONCLUSIONS

The general contours of Washington's strategy to restore order in Afghanistan - with or without allies - are more or less clear - keep the Taliban on a short leash, create local security forces (by 2011, the total number of personnel in the Afghan security forces should reach 400 thousand people) , to help restore the destroyed infrastructure, to teach and heal.

Now, even without the intrigues of the CIA, this is much more difficult to do - after thirty years of civil war, the country has almost no educated human resources or acceptable infrastructure left. The USSR at one time lacked a couple of years, tens of billions of dollars and the will of the political leadership to achieve such a goal. The criminal political myopia of all countries involved in the last big and bloody game around a big and poor country also played a fatal role.

But the main task is to get support from the people of Afghanistan, always so different, and now, more than ever, distrustful. The mission really seems almost impossible, but without this “fifth element”, with any scale of the four described above, the next “change” of peacekeepers is unlikely to succeed ...

A. Mamakin - River units of the border troops of the KGB in the Afghan war

Now let's move on to another type of KGB - the border troops, or rather, the naval units of the border troops (MCHPV) of the KGB of the USSR, which took part in the Afghan war. Until now, their actions are a white page in the maritime history of our country. To begin with, the reader should be familiarized with the features of the river system of the theater of operations (TVD).

The Soviet-Afghan border partly runs along the natural boundary of the Amu Darya and Pyanj rivers.

The largest river in the northern part of Afghanistan is the Amu Darya, which has a width of 120 to 1500 m, a depth of 2 to 10 m, and a flow rate of about 2 m/s 15 .

Central Asian ports are river and lake, water transport hubs that provide transportation of goods and passengers along the river. Amu Darya and the Aral Sea. Formed during the years of Soviet power as a result of the development of the economy of the Central Asian republics. They serve the regions of the Kazakh SSR, the Uzbek SSR, the Tajik SSR and the Turkmen SSR. Since 1956, they have been under the jurisdiction of the Central Asian Shipping Company of the Ministry of the Navy.

Of the S. p., the most important is the Termez river port in the upper reaches of the river. Amudarya (Uzbek SSR), which specializes in servicing export-import transportation in conjunction with the Afghan port of Sherkhan and the Kelif and Hairatan marinas. The main export cargoes: industrial products, metal cargo, cement, mineral fertilizers, oil products; imports - cotton, fruits and vegetables and other raw materials.

Bridge atHairatan.

At the same time, the turnover of marinas in the lower reaches of the river is increasing. Amudarya, especially Sharlauk, through which part of the flow of transshipment cargoes, which previously passed through the port of Aralsk, is directed. In addition, the system of seaports also includes other marinas that are on an independent balance sheet—Khojeyli (in the Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of the Uzbek SSR), Chardjou, and Kerki (in the Turkmen SSR), as well as 12 attached wharfs that do not have an independent balance sheet.

The ports and piers of the Central Asian Shipping Company provided (1975) with the loading and unloading of almost 80% of dry cargo and 60% of oil cargo transported in the basin: the fleet of reloading machines consisted of 11 coastal and 12 floating cranes and about 80 reloading machines of other types. In addition, the ports and marinas of the basin organize ferry transportation of goods and passengers. The share of cargo turnover of ferry crossings is more than 50% of the total cargo turnover. All ports and marinas (except for the port of Ushsay) are connected to the USSR railway network 16 .

Accordingly, the river coast was guarded not only by ordinary border guards in green caps. For the first time, I came across a mention of river border guards on the website “Desantura”, from a forum dedicated to the participation of the Navy in the Afghan war.

One of the forum participants, noting that of all the units in Afghanistan, the construction battalion was the only unit that had anything to do with the Navy, replied that this was a mistake. His classmate and two others with him served in the naval brigade of the border troops. And in Afghanistan they went on a border boat, for which they have military awards. To which another participant remarked that this was a mistake. They belonged to the PV, but not to the Navy. There were no PV marine brigades in the DRA. To which the first participant replied that this was not a mistake and named military unit No. 9873 or OBSCR 23, adding that the border guards had real photos from behind the “river”. And he believes his classmate by 200%.

Another forum participant confirmed that military unit 9873 or OBSKR 23, this is the PV and there are only naval units (in the sense of river units)

The fourth participant noted that all land and river units of the PV were subordinate to the KGB of the USSR, and not to the USSR Ministry of Defense, therefore, they were related to the Navy only with stripes on vests. To which I received two responses. The first answer regarding river PVs: a brigade of river boats was part of the Red Banner Central Asian Border District. With PPD in Termez. The area of ​​responsibility is the border section of the Amudarya and Pyanj up to the Nizhny Pyanj checkpoint. The dress code is marine. Flag - naval units of the border troops. The second answer: in the PV there used to be and now there are so-called. Moral units of the PV of the KGB of the USSR, naval uniform, service for three years, on the tape there is an inscription “Normal units of the PV of the KGB of the USSR” 17.

After that, by typing “military unit 9873, OBSKR” in the Search, I immediately found several sites dedicated to the participation of maritime border guards in that war. Here is the general history of the brigade, compiled from information from these sites.

In connection with the introduction of a limited contingent of Soviet troops into Afghanistan and the complication of the situation on the Soviet-Afghan border in 1981, in order to ensure its reliable protection on the section of the Amu Darya and Pyanj rivers, in accordance with the decision of the Government of the USSR, a separate division of patrol boats was formed (45th Odsk ) based in Termez (Termez flotilla) in Uzbekistan. Captain-Lieutenant Yu. Vasiliev was appointed commander of the division.

Commanders of the 45th ODSK:

captain 2nd rank Vasiliev Yuri Valentinovich (1981-83)

Captain 2nd Rank Petrenko Viktor Fedorovich (1983-85)

captain of the 2nd rank Nikolay Menshikov... (1987-88)

In 1988, on the basis of the 45th ODSK, a separate brigade of patrol ships was deployed (22nd OBRPSKR, Termez, military unit 9873, Uzbekistan KSAPO) under the command of Captain 2nd Rank E. Kozin.

Boat base.

The OBSK included: management, artillery boats of the “Bumblebee” type (project 1204), a unit of border patrol boats (PSK), a platoon of small boats of the “Pelican” and “Aist” types, there was an author in the coastal service, as well as: accumulator, electrician , paramedic, specialist in fuels and lubricants (POL) and coca.

By the end of the Afghan campaign, the brigade had 8 ships of the Bumblebee type (crew - 15-20 people), 10 PSK (crew - 6-10 people) and 20 boats of the Aist type (crew - 2-3 people) . From the commander of the department of gunners S. Sokhorev, the combat number of one of the PSKR - 035 is known.

The total number of personnel of the brigade is about 500 people.

The zone of responsibility of the brigade for the protection of the Soviet-Afghan border on the river section from the settlement of Nizhniy Pyanj (Tajik SSR) to the settlement of Bossagi (Turkmen SSR) had a length of about 300 km.

The division (and later the brigade), along with the protection of the state border of the Soviet Union on the river section in the form of a mobile patrol and escort of caravans of barges along the river, carried out combat missions in the interests of special units of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR located on the territory of Afghanistan: landing troops and cargo on the Afghan coast , joint combat operations with our intelligence officers, the transfer of Afghan informants, the protection of stationary bridges and induced crossings. Crews of ships and boats carried out sentinel service along the border line day and night. The border was usually guarded by one PSK and two small boats. For example, at night they went up the river to Nizhny Pyanj (near the junction of the 3rd and 4th outposts of the Pyanj border detachment), stopped the engines and drifted downstream, periodically dropping anchors and “listening” to the area with the help of radar and night vision devices (during the day when anchoring, a place was chosen from which a section of the border was visually viewed as far as possible). Thus, by dawn, the boats descended to the junction with the Termez border detachment, and then again rose to the Nizhny Pyanj. “Bumblebees” usually were on duty at the points closest to the base due to the shallow fairway of the river for them. As a rule, the PUK were on duty for two weeks, and then changed. The crews of small boats had a harder time. Their exits on combat duty were sometimes delayed (due to the lack of a shift) for a month or more. By the way, "Storks" could only go to the border in pairs, one at a time was forbidden (in general, like helicopters - over the territory of Afghanistan). Each group of ships with boats worked in its own zone, which was tied to a specific section of the border outpost, closely interacting with the POGZ.

Project 1204 armored boat.

Repair of boats and their modernization was carried out by the personnel of the brigade. So, for example, the speed of the "Aist" according to the data sheet is 20 knots (about 40 km / h). As a result of refinement by the craftsmen of the brigade (changing the direction of the exhaust nozzle, straightening the propellers, etc.), the boat developed a speed of up to 60 km / h. “Bumblebee” had about the same speed (maybe a little more). PSK were "slow moving" (speed - up to 10 knots). In the civilian fleet, it was a river tug. It was redesigned by adding the AGS-17 installation rotating on the frame to the stern. PSK formed the basis of the Termez flotilla.

The hull of the Aist was made of duralumin aluminum, and the superstructure was made of plywood. "Bumblebee" had armor protection. And the PSK, as they say, was just a piece of iron.

The crew of the small boats "Pelikan" and "Aista" consisted of 2-3 people armed with a RPK machine gun and AKS assault rifles. The Termez flotilla actually began with the Pelican. "Aist" was a new project of small boats and was very similar visually to the "Pelican". "Pelican" was equipped with a propeller-driven gasoline engine. "Aist" - a diesel engine on a water jet. This sometimes played a cruel joke with them. When the water level in the river rose, all the coastal debris fell into it, which clogged the water cannon. But "Aist" was faster, more maneuverable and more convenient to manage. And "Pelican" for past merits was installed on a pedestal in part.

Small boat of the 22nd OBSCR.

The PSK boat with a crew of 6-10 people had weapons: in the bow half-tower - 12.7-mm "Utes", two PKT machine guns - 7.62-mm (one on each side), in the aft turret - an AGS-17 grenade launcher "Flame". In addition, the PSK had a radar (“Credo”, “Fara”) and night vision devices.

Armament of the PSK.

According to the staffing table, the crew consisted of 6 people. (position and rank):

1. The commander of the boat is a midshipman.

2. Helmsman, assistant commander - senior sailor.

3. Commander (grenade launcher-shooter) - art. sailor or sailor

4. Radio operator, assistant grenade launcher - sailor.

5. Senior minder - art. sailor.

6. Junior minder - sailor.

The actual number of the crew at the expense of students and interns reached 10 people.

The PSK boat consisted of:

1. Bow - upper deck, lower deck.

3. Engine compartment.

4. Aft with a grenade launcher.

An anchor compartment was located in the bow. A small ladder from the wheelhouse led to the lower deck. Two cabins were located there: a small one for 2 berths (including the commander's berth), a large one for 4 berths. A galley adjoined the large cockpit. So small, yet so uncomfortable. It consisted of a cast-iron stove (aka a cast-iron boiler, miniature open-hearth), worked on diesel fuel with water. Cooking on it was a great talent and no small courage. The wheelhouse housed a command post, a radio operator's post, and a latrine (toilet) was originally planned, which was quickly converted into a shower cabin on all boats. And everyone deftly knew how to go out of need and overboard. The engine compartment was almost completely occupied by a 6-cylinder diesel engine. It started with 2 large batteries. It was served by minders in headphones due to a strong rumble. At the stern there is an AGS-17 tower and a tank for drinking water, which was taken at the base. When the water ran out, they took in outboard water, defending it from sand. At the stern there was also an internal compartment where food was stored, because. it was the coolest place on the boat.

The crew of the "Bumblebee" was 15-20 people. It was armed with 4 AGS-17 Plamya grenade launchers (two on each side), on the bow - a 76-mm tank gun and a BM 14/17 rocket launcher, on the stern - a ZU-23 18 double-barreled anti-aircraft gun (characteristics of boats 22 th OBSKR see Appendix 1).

A few words about the staffing of the brigade. Marine border guards wore the same uniform as in the USSR Navy, trained in the same schools and specialist schools as their naval counterparts. For example, in Yandex, we managed to find the biographical data of two officers who served in this brigade (without surnames).

August 1988 - February 1992 - Education - KVVMU, Kaliningrad, Specialist (Department of Rocket and Artillery Weapons). Service - Military unit 9873, Termez. May 1992 - June 1996 - Pom. Com. PSKR-034.

August 1988 - September 1990 - Education: KVVMU, Kaliningrad, Specialist (Department of Rocket and Artillery Weapons). October 1990 - September 1992 - Beginning division headquarters (V / h 9873, Termez). Since September 1992 - Commander of the ship (V / h 9873, Termez) 19.

It can be seen from this that graduates of the Kaliningrad Higher Naval School (KVVMU) became officers of the warhead-2 ships of the 22nd OBRPSKR.

That was a brief history, and now go to the details reported by veterans of the 22nd OBSKR from two "border" forums dedicated to the Afghan war, on the forums specifically dedicated to the 22nd OBSKR.

The first forum “Other subdivisions of the KGB PV of the USSR "Separate brigade of patrol ships (22 OBSK, military unit 9873)".

Landing assault maneuvering groups (DShMG) of the Border Troops sometimes moved not on helicopters, but on border boats! As one of the forum participants recalls, the paratroopers themselves did not know why this was done, but he remembers for sure that the sailors fed them very well for a whole week. Forum participants note that this is a unique historical fact - the sea (river) - border landing in Afghanistan.

Loading.

One of the participants gives a brief history of the construction of the main combat units of the 22nd OBSCR - project 1204 armored boats, which were built in Kerch (98 units) and Nikolaev (with assembly in Khabarovsk) in 1967-74. Chief designer - Ozimov L.V.

The total number of produced pr.1204 "Bumblebee" was 119 units: 78 of them - AK, 41 - PSKR; 59 units for the Navy, 4 in 1984-85 - to Kampuchea, 20 in reserve. 11 - DKBF, 16 - KChF (on the Danube), AK-234 and AK-374 - KKF. The rest are on AMUR!

Initially, the project was created based on a sharp deterioration in relations with China and in an effort to build as quickly as possible for the Amur flotilla. Later, the project was redesigned for the task of direct fire support for troops not only on rivers and lakes, but also in the nearest sea coastal zone. However, due to the desire to save on everything, bulletproof armor was installed, and the 76-mm tank gun as the main caliber turned out to be clearly insufficient ...

As a result, "Bumblebees" began to be used as PSKRs.

Well, much more numerous armored boats of the Second World War (for example, such as this project 1124) worked quite successfully along the coast ... Especially with the installation of MLRS in place of the aft tower.

Project 1204 (“Bumblebee”) was developed at the Almaz Central Design Bureau under the leadership of Leonid Vasilievich Ozimov

For service on the Amu Darya, the ships were re-equipped for offline service. Before being transferred, they were re-equipped at a shipyard in Khabarovsk. In view of the fact that the water in the Amu Darya is not suitable for drinking, additional drinking water tanks were installed.,

The engines were cooled by outboard water, for the same reason the cooling system was redone; along the side (below the waterline) heat exchangers (such as a radiator made of pipes) were installed, due to which the water was cooled.

The participants of the forum were interested in questions about the service in the 22nd OBSCR, whether there were firing at the territory of Afghanistan from guns, the life of the personnel, how far the boats of the brigade went, etc. According to the photos of the veterans of the brigade exhibited at the forum, it was determined that the sailors closely interacted with the Termez DShMG and etc.

Shoulder to shoulder - MMG and MCHPV.

One of the veterans replied that the boats did not specifically shoot at the Afghan side, they went to the confluence of the Pyanj with the Vakhsh, they did not risk further, and besides, these were test exits. PSKRs (boats of project 1204) basically stood from the Hairatan bridge to the 5th outpost, PSK went further. About life: the personnel lived on the PSKRs, ate there, the crews of the PSK and small boats lived and ate at the base. Four PSKRs went out to orders, 2 small boats (of the Aist type) were attached to each - they interceded for 15 days, then they changed, so four PSKRs were at the base, four were on order.

The second veteran noted that the sailors of the 22nd OBSCR had a chance to play the role of marines even before the creation of the Termez DShMG. Namely, in December 1985. There was a planned operation to clear the coastal green zone from dushmans. The Marmolskaya DSh was transferred by board to Aivaj (for those who don’t know, this is a bridge across the Amu Darya upstream from Hairatan - a reserve outpost of the MMG Tashkurgan). The sailors spent the night at the point, and early in the morning, or rather, even at night, they loaded onto the boat and went downstream.

Border guards before leaving.

On the features of navigation on the theater. The Amu Darya is apparently a very treacherous river, or the pilotage of our brothers rivermen was not very accurate, but by the time they got there, they ran aground three times. According to the plan of the operation, the river border guards were supposed to block the village from the side of the river early at dawn. But already when it became quite light, and they could not reach in any way. Finally moored - the command to disembark. The boat turns around and leaves. The sailors stretched out in a chain and began to move like reeds towards the village. But after 10 minutes they ran into a channel. Left and right everywhere water. They ended up on an island! The commander of the group - Mr. Tishchuk (nickname - BORMAN) out of anger ordered to dig in. At first it was easy to dig - sand, but water went deeper than knee-deep. While the group contacted the boat (not directly, but through authorities), while they took the group and landed it where necessary, the village was cleared without it. No more boats were used in that operation.

When analyzing this operation, it was noted that the “brothers of the rivermen” did not and could not have sailing directions, since the fairway on the Amu Darya was constantly changing, it was possible to pass now, but after 1-2 hours it would not be possible to pass here, sand washed up. The participant in the operation answered, in fact, they thought so. Apparently the command did not take into account the peculiarities of the river and took little time to deliver the landing force.

In addition to the above, there was no longer a bridge on Aivadzh (see above) in 1987. The veteran saw only the remains. He also reported another treachery of the river. They anchored in the evening and in the morning found themselves on a pedestal in the middle of the Amu Darya. They had to dig out 15 meters of chain and anchor with sapper shovels.

A veteran who served on the PSK made a number of comments regarding these boats:

1) The division was created not in connection with Afghanistan, but according to his (veteran's) data during the war (as in the text).

2) If PSKRs went 4 pieces, and even more so back and forth 200 km, then their PSKs stood from 1 to 2 months and did not go from Nizhniy Pyanj to Bassagi and further (the veteran personally went 448 km to Chardzhou).

3) The crew of the PSK - 6 people.

4) One PSK was constantly based in the Kerkinsky border detachment (dragged a barge with fuel, ammunition), another PSK was replaceable on the Pyanj (the role is the same, + troops on the Afghan side). The veteran said that they went to PSKai even at night.

When the PSKR campaigns began on combat duty, a small boat walked ahead of the “Bumblebee” (flat-bottomed boat), measuring the depth with a footstock, because getting the “Bumblebee” aground meant overheating of the diesel engines. The welded cooling system was above the water and was practically not cooled by outboard water. The wayward river required talented navigators. At PSKR, the engine cooling system was redone, if on the Amur and other rivers the cooling was outboard water, then for service on the Amu Darya small alterations were made, an autonomous cooling system was equipped, registers from pipes were welded along the sides, passing through which the water from the engines was cooled , and in the event of a grounding, all the more so by turning across the "fairway", one side (board) turned out to be bare ...

One of the internationalist soldiers who came to the forum recalled how he, along with his comrades, waiting for a column from Termez, always located on the territory of the 4th PZ Khairaton, under the bridge, and watched how boats cut through the water on the river. They also saw boats at training.

In the memoirs of one of the “Afghan” border guards, information slipped that in order to get to the Afghan border, there was a competition in their training, since only excellent students could get there, he had two in his shift. Moreover, these two places were a blessing, otherwise it almost came to a fight.

In addition, the forum succeeded in number of units of the 22nd OBSKR - Nos. 201 and 208 (the author of the message is a midshipman, commander of the 208th) 20 .

Rocket firing from an armored boat of project 1204.
Since the veterans are nothing about shooting at the territory of the DRA
they don’t say, it looks like there is a training shooting at the training ground.

The second forum “FORUM.POGRANICHNIK.ru > Search for colleagues and classmates > MCHPV > Connections of MCHPV”.

At the forum, it was immediately noted that 22 OBPSKR - 45 ODSK, Termez, military unit 9873, was the only warring naval brigade.

One of the forum participants found a different date for the formation of the brigade: “In 1979, the situation on the Soviet-Afghan border became more complicated. At the end of the year, Soviet troops entered Afghanistan. To ensure the protection of the border on the Amu Darya River, in accordance with the decision of the Government of the USSR, a division of patrol boats was formed in the city of Termez (commander of the division, captain-lieutenant Vasilyev Yu.V.)”.

The sailor-border guard told about two of his comrades who served in Termez in 1986-1989. and besides, they were awarded “Afghan” medals (obviously “From the grateful Afghan people”). Earlier on holidays they put on their medals and often there were clashes with the “Afghans”, who did not believe that the MCHPV also participated in the hostilities in Afghanistan. After that, his friends took certificates for medals with them, but now they are not worn at all for an unknown reason.

The creators of the site note that now they are working together to create a site on the topic - "The Border Troops of the KGB of the USSR in Afghanistan (1979 - 1989)". As you know, in addition to the ground special forces of the PV, border aviators and sailors of the 22nd OBSCR took part in that war. Although the work of the pilots of that time is not fully reflected in the literature and the Internet, but still - there is something. But with information on the 22nd OBSCR - a big problem. Veterans of the Afghan war are trying to help in this matter: they recall episodes when they had to interact with sailors, etc. But this is clearly not enough. So, all hope is on the veterans of the 22nd brigade.

This site also raised a number of general questions regarding the 22nd OBSKR: deciphering the abbreviations “ODSK” and “OBSKR”, the date of formation (division, brigade), organizational structure, deployment (Termez, Kerki) and brigade commanders, composition of watercraft and weapons, to whom the brigade was subordinate (to the Main Directorate of the Air Force in Moscow or the command of the KSAPO), what tasks were performed, the tactics of b / actions, when the division was transformed into a brigade, etc. And then, it would be nice to remember something from the daily life of the brigade: episodes of combat work, living conditions and recreation.

A veteran of the 22nd brigade recalls that in 1987, the head of the KGB, V. M. Chebrikov, came to them and then they decided to strengthen the border. 8 ships of the 4th rank "Bumblebee" were removed from the Amur and transferred to the Soviet-Afghan border. They arrived there in the autumn of 1987. It was then that the OBSKR was created - a separate brigade of patrol ships. The veteran himself served on the "Aista" - or as they were called in the brigade - "Kid". He is armed only with personal weapons. The older one had the PKK, the younger one had the AKS, when young sailors (“carp”) came, there was also a third one. There were also PSKs (border patrol boats) - a crew of 8-10 people. Commander - "teapot" (midshipman). Armament: two easel on the tank along the sides, a grenade launcher on the stern, then a Utes was also placed on the tank. And of course "Bumblebees". The border was guarded from Panj to Basaga. The main types of service were mobile patrol (when they periodically walked back and forth along the river) or at anchor, they chose a place from which the border section was viewed as much as possible. One PSK and two "Kids" always went to the border, and "Kids" did not have the right to walk along the border one at a time - only in pairs. The “bumblebees” stood only at nearby points, only during the withdrawal they reached the 13th outpost with grief in half: heavy, and the river is shallow, there is no fairway. It happened that one PSK was coming, the next one still had time to slip into the tail, and the third one was already running aground: the first two screws washed the sand and that was it. The principle of placing boats on the border is the same as at the outposts: it is divided into sections, and each section is guarded by a separate group.

The second veteran of the 22nd brigade noted that there were four of them called up from Tyumen, who served in the 22nd. Now one of them lives in Urengoy, the second in Kazanka (400 km from Tyumen) - occasionally meet with them, and two more in Tyumen. The veteran also served on the Aist. From the words of a veteran - a brigade PSK is a civilian semi-keel tug converted into a border boat.

Additional questions emerged as the conversation progressed.

1. When was the division formed (in 1981?)? The first commander of the division - Lieutenant Commander Yu. V. Vasiliev? When did he become a captain of the 2nd rank? Who after him commanded the division before it was deployed to the brigade?

How many and what kind of watercraft were there in the division at the beginning of its work and at the time of its transformation into a brigade?

2. Was the division transformed into a brigade in the fall of 1987? Who took charge of them?

What is the organizational structure of the brigade (management, number of units and their composition, deployment (Termez, Kerki)?

The length of the area of ​​responsibility of the group of ships (at least approximately)?

Some TTD of watercraft (range on one gas station, maximum speed, armor protection, etc.)?

What machine guns (at least caliber) and what kind of grenade launcher were there on the PSK?

What were the regime of watch duty on patrol and the duties of the crew members? What did they eat in those wonderful times? Where and how did you rest?

3. In addition to the patrol, what other b / work was done (landing troops and cargo on a foreign coast or something else)?

Have there been clashes, shelling of ships from the adjacent side?

Attention!

If officers came to the 22nd brigade from the Kaliningrad VVMU, then midshipmen came from other MCHV. Veterans of the brigade remember midshipman Zharinov Nikolai. The veteran was drafted with him in 1983. Then, after Anapa, he ended up in Odessa. Then he remained on long-term service as a midshipman and from there, from Odessa, somewhere in 1987-1988 he transferred to Termez, where he became the commander of the PUK. Moreover, each PSK commander was a midshipman. There were many midshipmen in the brigade, both coastal and seafarers. Another veteran clarifies that midshipman Nikolai Zharinov (Kolya “Roasted”) served in the 2nd division of the PSK, and even more specifically as the commander of PSK No. 223, then in 1990 he moved to the position of a divisional mechanic, so after all he was the son-in-law of the head of the Termez port, and the brigade was right in the port.

More questions: were Rechmans involved in the operations and were there any casualties among the personnel? If yes, when and where? One of the visitors on one of the forums read that in Afghanistan they saw (moreover, in the border zone) armored personnel carriers with “anchor” symbols (is there any information on them).

To the above questions, the veteran replied that they constantly went to operations with landing troops, reconnaissance, VPBG (air border combat groups? - A.M.). There were no losses in the brigade. He also hears about an armored personnel carrier with an anchor for the first time.

Then there was an assumption that armored personnel carriers with anchor symbols were from the Marine Corps.

In addition to the performance characteristics of the ships: on the Aist, the crew is a midshipman-commander, who also performs the functions of a helmsman and minder.

From the story of another veteran: his "Stork" came from the border, summer is hot. Along the way, boats were picked up at other points, so by the end of the transition it turned out to be a good armada: somewhere around 3-4 PSKs and 6-8 pieces of “Kids”. The “Stork” has very uncomfortable revolutions - 1400. If you get into a wave on them, then the boat is neither forward nor backward, in short, practically uncontrollable. The helmsmen always tried to either add “gas”, or, conversely, reduce speed.

Another PUK veteran: The brigade's base was located right next to a civilian port. The boats were located next to the pier in the backwater, at the exit from which the Amu Darya immediately began and, accordingly, the border. Boats from the backwater did not go to Kerki (the veteran had never been there). We went to Chardjou, PSK was transferred from boilers to state of emergency. There were no layoffs at the base (the veteran does not know why). There were several cultural trips, but only with a midshipman and for four hours. The veteran does not remember the size of the guy in the unit, he suggested that it was about 40 by 25 cm.

Another veteran spoke about Guys. Guys on the "Kids" was aft on the flagpole. There were no guys on the PSK, but he doesn’t remember on the ships (“Bumblebees”).

And here is the data on the veterans of the 22nd brigade in the city of Nikolaev.

Archer Oleksandr Kirillovich, 11.03.1966, village of Brinzery, Teleneshtsky district, Moldova. He was called up on 11/11/1985 by the Teleneshtsky RVC. In Afghanistan: 05/25/1986 - 04/19/1987 Michman. Boat commander of military unit 9879 (Termez). Now he lives in the village of Pribuzhye in the Domanevsky district.

Balagura Nikolai Vasilyevich, 07/14/1966, Pokrovka village, Veselinovsky district, Nikolaev region. Called on 11.1984 by Veselinovsky RVC. In Afghanistan: 04/26/1985 - 11/20/1987 Sergeant Major. Squad commander of military unit 9879 (Termez). Now lives in the village of Pokrovka, Veselinovsky district

Belous Sergey Vasilyevich, 1969, Nikolaev. Called in 1987 by the Central RVC, Nikolaev. In Afghanistan: 04/23/1988 - 10/24/1989 Sailor of military unit 2333 (Kerki). Now lives in Nikolaev.

Kalmazan Gennady Mikhailovich, 11/07/1966, Lysaya Gora village, Pervomaisky district, Nikolaev region. Called on 11/07/1984 by the Pervomaisky RVC. In Afghanistan: 04/26/1985 - 11/25/1987 Senior Sergeant. Bosun of military unit 9879 (Termez). Now he lives in the village of Lysaya Gora, Pervomaisky district.

The “Afghan” border guard recalls how in 1985 their Termez emergency DSh was on Aivaj. The paratroopers went a couple of times to ambush, and then part of the LH crossed the bridge to the Union and from there went on boats towards Hairatan, combing the islands along the way. And the other part, in which the narrator was, flew on the "sides" to Hairatan.

During the operation.

There is a photo on the forum where paratroopers paratroopers land not from helicopters, not from “armor”, but from a boat! The photo shows a reconnaissance raid in the village of Kaldar. The author of the photo proudly noted that only we have “Afghan” Mormans.

The question was raised about the presence of a base in the Kerkin detachment. If she was, then where?

The veteran replied that there was no base. There was one tugboat in Kerki. He transported barges with equipment and people from shore to shore.

Finishing the review of messages on the forum, I would like to quote one of the veterans of the 22nd OBSCR that memories of the service are too much to write; as an option - separately for each topic. Only one of his commanders will pull a couple of volumes, and even his first mates are no worse + what was, was not + self-propelled guns.

Another veteran said that the PUK sometimes had difficulty walking on the river. At the crossings, they “washed” (sat aground) for several hours. One boat was “washed” for 8 (!) hours. In the evening you run aground, you turn your belly back and forth. No way. They lay down to sleep. At night, the water rose and the boat was washed away by itself. And it often happened that they themselves were looking for a fairway. One of the “young” ones was sent overboard, and he measured the depth ahead of the boat with a rod! The river was the same!

Another border guard from the MMG cited a photo taken during a raid by a non-regular Marmolsky DSh along the combing of the coastal region of the Termezsky district. The time seems to have been before the November holidays of 1985. The place is somewhere from the Hairatan bridge towards the Kerkinsky PO. The photo shows a boat, the number, the model of which the veteran does not remember. But, judging by the fact that he had an AGS-17, it was a PSK 21.

There is almost no information about the losses in the officers and personnel of the 45th ODSK and the 22nd OBSKR. And the veterans of the 22nd brigade themselves do not remember anything about them. The exception is the data from the Ukrainian site:

Book of memory "Black tulip: tragedy and valor"

10. Cherednichenko Oleg Mikolayovich, 1964, private DRA, military unit 9873 (highlighted by me - A. M.) from 11.82 to 02.83 22 .

Confuses the title of the deceased, it seems that the number 9873 could be carried by an army unit.

Now about those who opposed the river and land border guards. You probably watched the feature film “Caravan of Death”, where a gang of dushmans makes their way to Soviet territory and, as a border guard ensign, enters into an unequal battle with it. Dushman attacks on the Soviet border are another little-known wanderer of the Afghan war. But they were. As Lieutenant-General I. M. Korobeinikov, who served in one of the departments of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR and was the head of the troops of the Central Asian border district in the 80s, recalled in 1990, the Afghan war gave rise to a lot of problems. One of them is how to ensure the inviolability of the Soviet border and the security of the population of our border area. The 40th Army met with serious resistance, the “jihad” began. Many of the Mujahideen increasingly sought to reach the Soviet border, of course, not just to look at it: they had more and more modern weapons in their hands, they were controlled by people who could not be suspected of sympathizing with us, and they spent huge funds. Yes, and estimate conditionally: is it possible to catch a projectile with your hands if, for example, it is already flying into our territory. The decision to send, of course, at the request of the Afghan leadership, a small contingent of border troops of the KGB of the USSR to the northern provinces of Afghanistan to protect our border. At first it was the Pamir and Panj directions.

The land and river border guards had a serious enemy. According to them, 30-40 thousand armed Mujahideen were constantly in the zone of responsibility of the border troops. Some armed opposition groups were tribal and did not fight us unless they were hurt. All the rest were superbly adapted to local conditions, professionals, well-armed 23 .

On January 24, 1983, the Mujahideen based in Iran attacked the territory of the USSR. They crossed into Turkmenistan, set up ambushes and fired at military installations. The Pakistanis took an active part in the preparation of shelling of Soviet territory and even sorties into the republics of Central Asia 24 . And in March and April 1987, units of the Pakistani army, with the support of the Mujahideen of the Islamic Rebel Army (IPA), field commander G. Hekmatyar, made several raids on the territory of the USSR in the Pyanj region 25 . During the first, on the night of April 8-9, 1987, a gang of Afghan dushmans crossed the Panj and invaded the territory of the USSR. Then she attacked the post of direct security and the core of the reconnaissance and search border group of the 117th Red Banner Moscow Border Detachment at the Ivalka Pass. The battle lasted for three hours, after which the bandits retreated to Afghan territory. When examining the place of hostilities, 5 dead Afghan bandits were found. There were also losses among the border guards - private A.P. Kurkin and private R.Z. Yamilov were killed 26 . During the second, Gulom Ortabulaki's gang prepared more than a hundred shots for fireproof guns and ground-to-ground launchers to shell the city of Pyanj. As Lieutenant General I. M. Korobeinikov recalled, the border guards constantly received data on attempts to shell our territory. But to calculate the place from where they will shoot, and even more so to prevent this, is a difficult task. In the case of the shelling of Pyanj, few people know today that everything could have been much worse if it were not for the actions of the mortars of the border detachment. Dushmans managed to make a volley. Still, as they say, the ground did not settle after the explosions, as the mortar battery of the border guards had already fired back. The mines fell accurately, and the bandits were forced to leave. And early in the morning, the “green caps” had already begun, together with units of the 40th Army, the “retribution” operation 27 .

In addition to major attacks, there were also minor “pranks” like: “ Yesterday, from here - from Afghanistan - someone fired at a UAZ on Soviet territory. A woman was wounded ... Four years remained before the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan” 28 .

As for the actions of dushmans on the rivers themselves - the Amu Darya and the Pyanj, I managed to find only two references.

Pakistan actually immediately began to wage war with the Russians, providing the Afghans-dushmans with bases on its territory, their saboteurs, and Saudi Arabia sent large financial assistance, without interrupting the work of penetrating into Tajikistan. In 1984, the Pakistani ISI sent the first agent, the Uzbek Vali Bek, into our territory. He crosses the Amu Darya and recruits several supporters. The United States immediately purchases several hundred sabotage inflatable boats of the Zodiac type for the transfer of weapons and propaganda literature to the Soviet Union (see Appendix 2 for the characteristics of the boat).

In August 1985, deliveries of "stingers" to Afghan dushmans began. Their sabotage groups went to our territory, and their divers with English sticky mines tried to undermine our barges on the Amu Darya 29 . There is also no information about clashes between river border guards and saboteurs.

As you can see, the land and river "border guards" got a serious enemy. And the last. I have no data on casualties among naval officers of the KGB and river border guards. Except, of course, for E. G. Kozlov’s injury during the assault on Amin’s palace (as for the soldier from military unit 9873, I think it was an army unit). Let's hope it was the only one among them.

NOTES

1 Drozdov Yu. I., Fartyshev V. I. Yuri Andropov and Vladimir Putin. On the way to revival - M.: OLMA-PRESS, 2001. S. 54.

2 1071. The history of the creation of special forces units of state security bodies 1980-1985 // http://artofwar.ru/1/1071/text_0060.shtml

3 Kolesnik V. How Amin's palace was taken // Kozlov S. et al. GRU Spetsnaz. Fifty years of history, twenty years of war. 3rd ed. - M.: SPSL- "Russian panorama", 2003. S. 103.

4 Sharipov V.S., Legky P. Operation “Storm” // Kozlov S. et al. GRU-2 Spetsnaz. The war is not over, history continues. 2nd ed. - M.: SPSL- "Russian panorama", 2003. S. 123.

5 Stepakov V. Russian special forces. - SPb.: Neva Publishing House, M.: OLMA-PRESS Education, 2003. S. 207-208.

6 Drozdov Y. “Vympelovtsy” - special purpose scouts // Brother. No. 8(89). August 2005, p. 29.

7 Kolesnik V. Decree. op. pp. 111-112.

8 Borisenko V., Morozov I. Universal soldiers of the KGB. - M.: Yauza, Eksmo, 2005. S. 127-128.

9 Drozdov Yu. I., Fartyshev V. I. Decree. op. S. 54.

10 Encyclopedia of military art. Special Forces / Auth.-comp. D. N. Dudinsky. - Minsk: Modern. writer, 1998. S. 257.

11 Stepakov V. Decree. op. S. 210.

12 1071. The history of the creation of special forces units of state security bodies 1980-1985 // http://artofwar.ru/1/1071/text_0060.shtml http://pogranznak.ucoz.ru/forum/45-11-1/

Forum "Military Frontier" > Forum > History of combat strength (combat strength and historical path of types, branches of troops, associations, formations and units) > Border guards, special forces of the KGB (Moderator: SpN35 (Anatoly K.)) > Topic: Units of the KGB PV of the USSR in Afghanistan (Detachments, Marine units, Aviation).

"About the first myth.

Already in many sources - magazines, books, Internet sites, there is information that a whole brigade (in some sources it is called a regiment - author's note) fought as part of the Soviet troops in Afghanistan, even in a reputable publication for modellers they cited an image of the BMP-2D with pseudo-historical narrative: "As you can see in the pictures, there is evidence that a secret brigade of the Marine Corps of the Northern Fleet fought as part of the 40th Army ..." Apparently, as a result of such "research" with "irrefutable photographic evidence" and the team released by the Zvezda enterprise appeared BMP-2D model with no less "cool" passages. In particular, in the "instructions for drawing pictures" under the picture of an infantry fighting vehicle with an anchor entwined with a chain, you can see the inscription: "Special Marine Corps Regiment, Paktia Province, Afghanistan, 1985." Other sources provide photographs of infantry fighting vehicles with anchors and similar inscriptions, although their primary source, apparently, is the same.
Therefore, I would like to immediately dispel such statements in relation to the above images and testify that the presented photos belong to the 650th "Prague" Guards Separate Order of Alexander Nevsky Reconnaissance Battalion (ORB). As proof of my words, I inform you that there were three reconnaissance companies in the ORB of our division. In contrast to the raid motorized rifle battalions of the division, in which the identification marks were the same for all the vehicles of the battalion (in the 2nd MRB 371 MSP these were two mountains with a road in the gap of which was the number "2" - author's note), in the reconnaissance battalion they were different in all three reconnaissance companies. Although it also had the 4th company - electronic intelligence (RTR), in which there were no infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers at all. In the first company, on infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and tanks, an image of an anchor entwined with a chain was stencilled, the guys from the ORB told about the history of its appearance that the commander of the first company once served in the Marine Corps. It is possible that this was a company legend, although the facts of such service were not uncommon for graduates of combined arms schools, who were equipped with motorized rifle units and marine infantry units. In the second company of the reconnaissance battalion, it was an image of a maple leaf, and in the third, most numerous, reconnaissance and airborne company (RDR), the identification mark on the infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and armored personnel carriers in it was the landing "chicken". Under the withdrawal, another sign appeared - at the battalion observation and reconnaissance platoon - a bat.
When I first saw an anchor with a chain on the armor back in Afghanistan, I also thought that someday a photo of a car with an anchor would get into print, and then someone would prove that the Soviet Navy fought in Afghanistan. It's funny, but this is exactly what happened in the end, and in all the photographs and drawings cited by grief - historians, images of the first company of the Shindand reconnaissance battalion are visible, as the reader can judge by the characteristic chain wrapping around the anchor, as well as other signs inherent in technology and personal composition of our division.
And to enthusiasts who prove the opposite point of view, I can tell you that the symbol of the Marine Corps of the USSR and the Navy of the USSR and, accordingly, the Marine Corps, has always been an anchor wrapped in a rope. To this we can add that the anchor without a rope - the emblem on the buttons of the Soviet Navy, was a symbol of the Russian merchant fleet before the 1917 revolution, so its appearance later on the details of the uniforms of military sailors can be considered a historical mistake. An anchor wrapped in a chain, in principle, could not appear on naval armored vehicles, since it had its own symbol, which the sailors were very proud of. Yes, and making a stencil with a chain is still a little more difficult than with a rope. Well, in extreme cases, in order to draw less, they could depict a simple anchor, as on their own buttons. And the presence of a chain suggests that the person who made the stencil with the sign was not closely familiar with the symbols of the Soviet Navy. Or the official who approved the company badge intentionally used an image that was different from the naval and commercial maritime symbols.
In addition, Ruslan Prisyazhenko, the former commander of the observation platoon of the 1st company of this battalion, confirmed from Minsk that the photos cited in printed publications and on websites belonged to the 650th ORB. He served in this unit in 1987 - 1988 and claims that the photo shows an image of his BMP? 705 with "... an anchor wrapped in a chain, since the first commander of the reconnaissance company loved the sea ..." He gives similar information in his letter to to the author dated February 15, 2007, former private of the 650th ORB Shukhrat Musaev from Tashkent, who writes: "... looked at the photo ... - definitely our cars. In our company [car numbers] were from 701 to 719. This is an BMP- 1 and "twos", plus 3 tanks...".
Although reconnaissance units often did not have numbers on equipment at all, for example, the reconnaissance company of the 371st regiment, but in the photo in the book "The Afghan War. How It Was" (See photo 4) on pages 162-163 they are abbreviated - instead of? 705 "05" is listed, but instead of? 715 - just "15".
I think the arguments presented here in support of the version I defend are quite convincing, but I will be happy to consider other solid evidence of the presence of units and units of the Marine Corps in Afghanistan, especially if they do not concern individual military personnel.
Mageramov Alexander Arnoldovich
Legends and myths of the Afghan war, part 1
http://artofwar.ru/m/maa/text_0080.shtml

This is one opinion. But there is also this thing:
"Separate brigade of patrol ships (22 OBSK, military unit 9873)

In connection with the introduction of a limited contingent of Soviet troops into Afghanistan and the complication of the situation on the Soviet-Afghan border in 1981, in order to ensure its reliable protection on the section of the Amu Darya and Pyanj rivers, in accordance with the decision of the Government of the USSR, a separate division of patrol boats was formed (45th Odsk ) based in Termez (Termez flotilla)."
http://pv-afghan.ucoz.ru/forum/155-177-1
I don’t know whether these units should be considered as confirmation.

In an effort to convey to the public the bleakness of the war and the sacrifices young soldiers are making, the Associated Press released a photo of 21-year-old Lance Corporal Joshua M. Bernard being mortally wounded during a clash with Taliban fighters. It happened on August 14 in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. The infamous photo was taken by Associated Press photographer Julie Jacobson, who accompanied the Marines during the clash. The AP agency decided to publish pictures after the funeral of Bernard, which took place on August 24. An agency reporter met with the soldier's parents to show the pictures. However, Joshua's father - John Bernard - spoke out against the publication of photographs, saying that it would be disrespectful to the memory of his son. US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates himself turned to the Associated Press with a request to satisfy the desire of the family of the deceased and not to publish the photos. And yet the pictures got into the eyes of the public. “We wanted to show people the whole truth of the war, no matter how cruel it may be,” a representative of the Associated Press commented on his decision.

8. US Marines salute to the sound of a military trumpet during a memorial service in memory of Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard. The picture was taken at the Forward Operating Base, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Expeditionary Brigade, 3rd Marine Division, Thursday, August 27, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Bernard died in the line of duty during a Taliban ambush on 14 August. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)10. USMC Corporal Wessely pays his respects to Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard, a lifelong driver, at a memorial service at a forward base in Afghanistan's Helmand province, August 27, 2009. Bernard was fatally injured during a firefight with the Taliban on 14 August. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Even during the Second World War, detachments of marines instilled fear in German soldiers. Since then, the second name has been attached to the latter - black death or black devils, indicating the inevitable reprisal against those who encroach on the integrity of the state. Perhaps this nickname is somehow related to the fact that the infantryman wore pea jacket black color. Only one thing is known for certain - if the enemy is afraid, then this is already the lion's share of victory, and, as you know, the motto is considered the symbol of the Marine Corps: "Where we are, there is victory!"

Each infantryman was proud of his mission. In cases when they had to fight, wearing a combined arms uniform, the fighters did not part with caps and vests. They went on the attack wide open, showing the enemy black and white stripes, instilling undisguised horror in him.

The history of the origin of the troops

During the reign of Ivan IV (the Terrible), the composition of the crews of all ships was supplemented by soldiers who were not sailors. These were separately created brigades, consisting of archers. The first sailing ship "Eagle" by decree of the king in 1669 was equipped with Nizhny Novgorod archers. Their task included boarding and landing operations. The first prototype of the marines was also involved in guard duty.

The history includes the exploits of the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments, which were formed on ships during the Azov campaigns. Not everyone knows that the commander of one of the companies of the naval regiment was the Emperor Peter Romanov himself. Similar regiments equipped the ships of the Azov and Baltic Fleets.

The first victories of the then completely new formations fall on 1701-1702. The Russian flotilla, consisting mostly of rowboats, successfully fought with Swedish sailboats on Lake Peipus and Ladoga. In many respects, the Russian army owes its victory to the serving regiments of Ostrovsky, Shnevetsov and Tolbukhin, who were assigned to the fleet. The chroniclers noted that the infantrymen in battle behaved boldly and decisively.

If we are talking about the creation of marines, then this event is closely connected with the name of Peter I. He summarized the experience of introducing ground forces into the fleet and in 1705 issued a decree according to which all squads of Cossacks and archers were united, and the newly created formation was called "Marine Regiment" According to the new style, this decree is dated November 27, since then this date has been considered an official holiday for any Marine.

The Northern War was a real test for the newly formed unit. Infantry detachments repeatedly landed on enemy territory, they proved themselves in boarding battles near Cape Gangut. The next battle test was the Russian-Turkish war. In the middle of the 18th century, the marines under the command of G.A. Spiridov participated in the liberation of the Greek islands. The field of action was not only the Black, but also the Aegean Sea. Moving further up the ladder of times, it should be noted that the naval crew was involved in the battle of Borodino and in subsequent offensive operations, for which he was awarded the St. George Banner.

Reforms of the XVIII-XIX centuries

Throughout history, the MP troops have been restructured more than once, so in 1714 the structure changed. The regiments were divided into naval battalions, and in 1732 they were again assembled into regiments. At the next stage, the MP contingent is replenished with the formed "soldier teams", such an innovation took place in 1754.

As a result, each ship of the Black Sea and Baltic Fleets was equipped with infantrymen and soldiers. Their number depended on the displacement of the ship, but sailboats and galley ships received a similar "strengthening" of the crew. A separate soldier's team was also formed in the Caspian flotilla.

These structural elements were again abolished already in 1762. It was decided to return to the battalion manning scheme. The only exceptions were galley ships, where the soldiers' teams were still preserved. In the rest of the fleet, the battalion was represented by musketeer and grenadier companies.

The next unification of the battalions took place only in 1803, when they were reunited into regiments. Thus, the Baltic Fleet was represented by three regiments, and the Black Sea Fleet by one. The location of these regiments was Kronstadt, Revel, Azov. The number of each element - the regiment reached two thousand military personnel, consisting of various ranks. The structure of the Caspian flotilla is considered separately in history. On the basis of her team of personnel, a battalion of four musketeer companies was founded. Small companies functioned in Arkhangelsk and on the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the approach of the naval leadership to the problem of the stay and maintenance of all marines in the state of the fleet changed dramatically. Most of them advocated the abolition of this type of troops. Without going into details of the root causes, it should be noted that in 1811 they were resubordinated. Now the leadership was entrusted not to the maritime ministry, but to the military. Ultimately, the naval regiments were reorganized and became part of the infantry divisions. This means that, as a separate and legally established branch of the armed forces Marines no longer existed. The functions of the foot soldiers were assigned to the crew members of the flotillas. This order existed for almost a hundred years, that is, until the First World War.

The inevitability of the First World War clearly showed that it was necessary to re-create MP detachments, as it was before 1811. The main command body, the naval headquarters, made an attempt to urgently form marine infantry units. The idea was that these units should be deployed in the Baltic, the Black Sea and in Vladivostok. Why is this period positioned in history as an attempt? The fact is that in 1917 the Russian Empire ceased to exist, which means that the Russian fleet was gone. The revolution of 1917 became the starting point for the era in which the Marines USSR.

The need to create a marine unit in the Red Army arose immediately, it was influenced by both the Civil War and the intervention. The total number of personnel of the Marines by the twenties reached 75 thousand people.

It is noteworthy that one of the units was formed just on November 27, the birthday of the Marine Corps. Recruitment in the unit was initially carried out on a voluntary basis, but even then it was noted that candidates were subject to increased requirements both in physical fitness and in the field of moral qualities.

It is documented that the creation of a separate type of troops in the USSR falls on 1940. According to other sources, this event falls on 1925, but the facts show that already during the years of the Civil War, the Marines took an active part in the battles.

A real test of heroism and courage, which Marines, fell on the years of the Second World War, when in the first stage the vast territories of the state were captured by German troops. Against the backdrop of general mobilization, which was hindered in the occupied units, this type of troops played a key strategic role. The number of mobilized personnel amounted to more than one hundred thousand people, which made it possible to form infantry regiments of the Northern and Pacific Fleets.

Soviet Marines wartime was trained in two programs at once:

1. One involved combined arms training.
2. Another suggested landing.

Tactical, fire, reconnaissance and physical exercises were practiced. But the lack of time did not allow to make real masters of their craft from volunteers, so they had to send not fully trained soldiers to the front.

In the post-war period, Soviet infantrymen participated in combat operations almost all over the globe. Missions to Angola and Ethiopia were organized to support government troops. Often this support came down to the fact that our compatriots had to solve the entire volume of tasks. The war in Afghanistan did not bypass the Marines. Although, as a separate unit, these troops were not sent to the DRA, but under the auspices of volunteer organizations, many infantrymen took part in the conflict.

black berets- the elite of the Russian troops

The events of the first Chechen war forced the command of the Russian army to resort to the help of marines. At that time, they turned out to be the most prepared for the conduct of real hostilities. A real feat was accomplished by the fighters during the storming of Grozny. Sixteen infantrymen were awarded the star of the Hero. Unfortunately, not without casualties, during the first campaign, 178 people died. The contribution that the Marines made to the history of the Chechen conflict will at all times be regarded as a manifestation of the true professionalism of a Russian soldier.

Today, every young man who decides to connect his fate with the defense of the Fatherland dreams of getting into the Marine Corps. But the road there is not open to everyone, there are certain requirements for the state of health of the conscript, because the combat training program includes not only military service, but also boxing, hand-to-hand combat, and general physical training. In a word, the soldiers of the marine corps on their own constantly prove the right to bear the status of an elite unit.

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From buttonholes to epaulettes P. Lipatov Uniforms and insignia of the ground troops of the Red Army, internal troops of the NKVD and border troops during the Great Patriotic War The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army entered World War II in the uniform of the 1935 model. At about the same time, they acquired the usual us the appearance of Wehrmacht soldiers. In 1935, by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of December 3, new uniforms and insignia were introduced for the entire personnel of the Red Army.

They do not emit a warlike roar, they do not sparkle with a polished surface, they are not decorated with chased coats of arms and plumes, and quite often they are generally hidden under jackets. However, today, without this armor, unsightly in appearance, it is simply unthinkable to send soldiers into battle or ensure the safety of VIPs. Body armor is clothing that prevents bullets from entering the body and therefore protects a person from being shot. It is made from materials that scatter

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PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF THE MILITARY SERVANTS 1935-1945 PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF THE MILITARY SERVICES OF THE LAND AND SEA FORCES OF THE RKKA 1935-1940 Introduced by resolutions of the Council of People's Commissars 2590 for the land and air forces of the Red Army and 2591 for the naval forces of the Red Army of September 392. Declared by order of the People's Commissar of Defense 144 of September 26, 1935. Private and command staff Political composition

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Uniforms of the Red Army Headwear of the Red Army Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch

We will have to start the story about the introduction of insignia in the Soviet army with some general questions. In addition, a short digression into the history of the Russian state will be useful in order not to formulate empty references to the past. The shoulder straps themselves are a kind of product that is worn on the shoulders in order to indicate the position or rank, as well as the type of troops and service affiliation. This is carried out in several ways by fastening straps, stars, making gaps, chevrons.

On January 6, 1943, shoulder straps for the personnel of the Soviet Army were introduced in the USSR. Initially, shoulder straps had a practical meaning. With their help, the belt of the cartridge bag was held. Therefore, at first there was only one shoulder strap, on the left shoulder, since the cartridge bag was worn on the right side. In most of the fleets of the world, shoulder straps were not used, and the rank was indicated by stripes on the sleeve, the sailors did not wear a cartridge bag. In Russia, shoulder straps

Commanders IVAN KONEV 1897-1973, commanded the Steppe Front during the Battle of Kursk. He left school at the age of 12, then became a lumberjack. He was mobilized into the royal army. During the civil war, he joined the Red Army and fought as a commissar in the Far East. In 1934 he graduated from the Frunze Academy and became a corps commander. In 1938, Konev commanded the Separate Red Banner Army as part of the Far Eastern Front. But lead the military action against

Commanders Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov Born on February 12, 1900 in Serebryanye Prudy, near Venev, Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov was the son of a peasant. From the age of 12, he worked as an apprentice saddler, and when he was 18, he joined the Red Army. In 1918, during the civil war, he participated in the defense of Tsaritsyn later - Stalingrad, and in 1919 joined the CPSU b and was appointed regiment commander. In 1925, Chuikov graduated from the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze, then participated

Even before the First World War, a uniform appeared in the Russian army, consisting of a protective color of trousers, a shirt-tunic, an overcoat and boots. We have seen her more than once in films about the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars. Soviet uniform from World War II. Since then, several uniform reforms have been carried out, but they mainly affected only the dress uniform. The edgings, shoulder straps, buttonholes changed in uniforms, and the field uniform remained practically unchanged.

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE USSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF MILITARY UNIFORM CLOTHING BY SERGEANTS, STARSHIN, SOLDIERS, SAILORS, cadets AND PUPILS OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY IN PEACETIME Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR. General provisions. The uniform of sergeants of long-term service. The uniform of sergeants of conscripts and soldiers of extra-conscripts and conscripts. The uniform of cadets of military schools. The uniform of pupils of Suvorov

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES OF WEARING THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE PERSONNEL IN PEACETIME I. GENERAL PROVISIONS II. MILITARY CLOTHING Uniform of the marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of the military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Uniform of the admirals and generals of the Navy Uniform of the officers of the Soviet Army Uniform of the female officers of the Soviet Army

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR WEARING THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHING BY MILITARY PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 191 Section I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section II. MILITARY UNIFORM Chapter 1. Uniform of the Marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of the military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers and sergeants of the long-term service of the Soviet Army Chapter 3. Uniform of female officers

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY SERVICE SERVICE PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 250 Section I. MAIN PROVISIONS Section II. CLOTHING FORM OF SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN. Chapter 1. Dress uniform of the Marshals of the Soviet Union, generals of the army, marshals of the armed forces and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Dress uniform of officers, warrant officers and military personnel

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY SERVICE SERVICE PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 250 Section I. MAIN PROVISIONS Section II. CLOTHING FORM OF SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN. Chapter 1. Uniform of marshals and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers, ensigns and servicemen of the long-term service of the Soviet Army Chapter 3. Uniform

We continue to talk about the uniform of the Red Army. This publication will focus on the period 1943-1945, that is, the very height of the Great Patriotic War, paid attention to the changes in the form of the Soviet soldier that occurred in 1943. Senior sergeant of the Air Force with his father, who is a major. Winter and summer uniforms, 1943 and later. The winter tunic looks neat and clean, the summer one is dirty

The military uniform, which includes all items of uniforms, equipment, insignia established by the highest government bodies for the personnel of the armed forces of the state, not only allows you to determine the servicemen's belonging to the types and branches of the troops, but also distinguish them by military ranks. The uniform disciplines military personnel, unites them into a single military team, helps to increase their organization and strict fulfillment of military duties.

So, the unloading system of the Soviet motorized rifle of the 1950 model is a system of a field belt and a field soldier's belt for easy carrying of equipment when performing combat training tasks. In the common people it is called unloading. The field belt is canvas, covered with brown polystyrene and a galvanized buckle, sometimes mistakenly called a construction battalion belt, but this is wrong - this is a field belt, model 1950. The soldier's harness consists of

1. FIGHTER'S RACK CAMPING EQUIPMENT - INFANTRY ARROW stocks are not taken. ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENT OF ASSAULT EQUIPMENT On the waist belt, put on the following items in sequence, winding them

Knapsack of a soldier of the Red Army 1. Knapsack TRAVELING EQUIPMENT OF THE FIGHTER - INFANTRY ARROW Camping equipment fig. with the calculation of wearable reserves is not taken. ASSEMBLING AND FITTING THE ATTACKING EQUIPMENT On the waist belt, put on the following items in sequence,

Each army has its own system of military ranks. Moreover, rank systems are not something fixed, set once and for all. Some titles are canceled, others are introduced. Those who are at least seriously interested in the art of war, science, need to know not only the entire system of military ranks of a particular army, but also to know how the ranks of different armies correlate, which ranks of one army correspond to the ranks of another army. There is a lot of confusion in the existing literature on these issues,

The image shows two infantrymen of the Red Army, a Red Army soldier on June 22, 1941 and a victorious sergeant on May 9, 1945. Even from the photo you can see how the uniforms and equipment were simplified over time, something turned out to be too expensive to manufacture in wartime, something did not take root, something the soldiers did not like and was removed from the supply. And individual items of equipment, on the contrary, were spied on by the enemy or taken as a trophy. It's not all about item placement

The first mass-produced Soviet steel helmet SSH-36 appeared in the Red Army in 1936, and by the end of the year it became obvious that it had a lot of shortcomings. The most fundamental of them were the brittleness of steel and low bullet resistance in bending places. Attempts to improve the helmet led to the emergence of a number of experimental samples, some of them were military tests. Red Army soldiers at the parade in steel helmets SSH-36. http forum.guns.ru In June