Soviet aviation in the period of the 1980s structurally consisted of long-range aviation, front-line aviation, military transport aviation and army aviation. MiG-29 fighters were mostly part of front-line aviation, and were designed to conduct air battles and strike ground targets. For basing aircraft, the USSR Air Force had an extensive airfield network, which included fixed airfields with concrete runways and protected shelters. Dispersal airfields with prepared soil strips were also created. A large number of specialized vehicles were created to service aircraft on the ground, among which was the APA-50M. Various cars with closed bodies were also used at airfields. They could be used as mobile workshops or mobile control points.