Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 18; CZECHOSLOVAKIA; ARMED FORCES CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4.pdf/22

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4

Transport units are based at airfields near Mosnov and Prague (Kbely). There are helicopter units at numerous airfields which support the ground forces. In addition, there are 39 airfields capable of supporting jet fighter deployment/dispersal activities. Hardened hangarettes have been constructed at seven jet fighter airfields of the CAF.

3. Training

The Union for Cooperation with the Army (SVAZARM) is the most important single organization for the dissemination of military-associated technical skills to the nation's youth. SVAZARM is a civilian organization formed in 1952 under the direct control of the federal Ministry of National Defense with the aim of attracting and educating young people in military skills. Although there has been renewed emphasis in premilitary training in recent years, the typical conscript enters upon his tour of military duty with less training and with less service-oriented physical conditioning than is usual in the Eastern European Communist countries.

Formal flying training is conducted at the Kosice/Barca Air Force Higher School, upgraded in 1971 to a four-year degree-granting institution. The first phase of pilot training includes military studies, general eduction, and theory of flight. The second phase, begun toward the end of the second year, involves flying training on the L-29 basic jet trainer, the MIDGET (U-MiG-15), and the FAGOT. The last phase is conducted at Prerov with the supersonic MONGOL (U-MiG-21) and FISHBED. After completion of this training, the candidate is graduated with an engineering degree and a Third Class Pilot rating, and is assigned to an operational unit. Conversion to newer or different jet fighter aircraft is normally undertaken at operational units.

The requirements for Second Class Pilot consist of a demonstrated ability to handle an operationally configured aircraft under all weather conditions in daytime and clear weather conditions at night. The pilot must also be able to perform detailed preflight planning for cross-country and operational training flights and then to execute them satisfactorily.

A First Class Pilot must have demonstrated proficiency in all weather conditions, both day and night, with visibility minimums at 1 kilometer and ceiling of 50 meters. Certification in any one of these three proficiency classes is not contingent upon the number of hours flown nor the time spent in the lower category, but upon actual tested abilities. To maintain this proficiency rating, each pilot must undergo a series of tests twice a year, with the exception of First Class Pilots who are examined only once a year.

Operational training has increased in scope since the air force was reorganized into the ground support and air defense units. Training includes all phases relative to ground support and air defense missions with the capabilities of the aircraft assigned.

Intracountry mobility exercises are numerous and include deployment to grass fields as well as to other operational airfields. Mobility flights to other non-Soviet Warsaw Pact countries have become more prevalent in the past few years.

Pilots average about 70 to 90 hours of flying per year, as do most of the Warsaw Pact pilots. By Western standards, this is not adequate; however, their extensive preflight preparations may help to offset this limitation.

Czechoslovakia has been providing flight and parachute training for some years to personnel from less-developed nations. Students from Cuba, Ghana, Guinea, and Indonesia have undergone both primary and advanced training with the air force. Air force personnel, including pilots and aircraft mechanics, have instructed Syrian and UAR air force pilots and technicians in their home countries since 1955. These programs can probably be expected to continue and possibly even expand as a result of the overseas sales of the L-29 jet trainer system.

4. Logistics

The logistic system is outstanding among the Eastern European Communist countries because it is supported by a high level of significant armament industries, including a civil aircraft industry. Nevertheless, the country's capability to support its air force logistically has been gradually decreasing since the production of combat aircraft was stopped. The air force now imports all newer type fighters from the U.S.S.R. In terms of producing and repairing parts, as well as overhauling complete aircraft, the logistic system is capable of effectively supporting only the older, domestically produced aircraft. Czechoslovakia retains, however, an excellent capability to supply its air force with ground equipment, general spare parts, common-use items, vehicles, and ammunition. The supply of aviation fuel is adequate for peacetime but depends upon Soviet-controlled sources for crude oil.

Aircraft maintenance is among the best of the Eastern European Communist countries because adequate repair facilities are available at the plants of the aircraft industry. The supply of engineers and

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4