Over 500 troops of the National Army are engaged in a drill codenamed Cetatea-2012 (The Stronghold), taking place at the Bulboaca shooting range during October 1-5, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. Land Forces acting commander Col. Gadirca said the drill aims to test the efficiency of command, cooperation and control procedures of infantry and artillery units. The drill is held for the third consecutive year and includes marksmanship practice involving artillery systems, combat vehicles and infantry weapons. In the spirit of the confidence-building policy between the two sides of the Nistru, the Moldovan Ministry of Defense invited observers from the Transnistrian region's armed forces.