The division was deployed in the Moscow Military District, based near Aprelevka, in the Moscow suburbs: its various subunits occupied a vast complex of buildings and sites to the north and northwest of the town. The two most important 'sub-bases' in the area are Kalininets and Kobyakovo. It was one of the Russian Army's 'constant readiness' divisions, meaning that it was required to have at least 80% manpower and 100% equipment strength at all times; it is thus readily deployable. As a motor rifle division, its role was comparable to western mechanised infantry divisions.