Baltic Fleet completed all-arms force exercise

13.09.2010 All-arms force exercise has been completed at Baltic Fleet (BF); the exercise was held under command of BF Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov in Sept 6-9.

The objective of the naval exercise held in the Baltic Sea was operability check of BF ships, coastal forces, AD units, and aviation in summer training period. During the exercise warships, coastal defense units, and BF naval aviation practiced a number of drills like torpedo, missile, and artillery firings at sea-, coastal-, and air targets, bomb-release. Ships of Baltiysk Naval Base under command of Rear Admiral Alexander Nosatov practiced landing operation on unequipped coast overcoming counterlanding defenses. Small ASW ship Kalmykia along with search-and-strike group consisted of ships from Leningrad Naval Base's harbor defense force successfully conducted antisubmarine defense of landing ships under way and landing operation area, smoke screening, practical ASW release of depth charge rockets, and closing of missile firing exercise zone.

Minesweeping task force practiced mine barrier breaching and mine countermeasures support of landing ships.

Baltiysk Naval Base missile boat force consisting of 2 small missile ships and 3 missile boats delivered training missile strikes upon enemy's sea targets.

Culmination of the exercise was landing operation on defended coast; the enemy's role was performed by infantry unit under command of Lt. Col. Andrei Khazov. Marines landed the coast both from the sea and from the air. Aircrafts and helicopters dropped tactical airborne groups in the "enemy" rear echelons. Forty armored personnel carriers sailed out landing aprons of large landing ships. Amphibious landing troops stormed the shore. As a result of a fast-moving battle the black berets secured the coast.

"It was important for us to check qualification level of recent draftees", pointed out BF Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov commenting results of landing operation. "Through 2 months of training they have learned much and acted quite masterfully during the exercise". Over 2,000 servicemen, about 30 warships and auxiliary vessels, up to 10 aircrafts and helicopters, and about 70 armor vehicles took part in the fleet maneuvers.

The final assessment will be made after detailed analysis of the exercise which is to be carried out under auspices of BF Commander.