Vice President of TNK-BP visited Northern Fleet

01.02.2011 Vice President of TNK-BP and director of TNK-BP Orenburg branch Alexander Grabovsky visited Murmansk region in Jan 28-30 with a delegation from Orenburg region headed by the governor Yury Berg; delegates visited units of Northern Fleet (NF) where submarine Orenburg is based.

The history of cooperation between Orenburg region and Northern Fleet (NF) started in 1997 under initiative of local NF veterans who offered to take one of ships under patronage. This idea was supported by regional administration. In Sept 1997 the then-Navy Commander Vladimir Kuroyedov ordered to give one of submarines the name of Orenburg; the first agreement of cooperation was signed in the next year.

The region had helped submariners to overcome difficult years of reforms and to perform various national defense tasks. Under the framework of patronage agreement, Orenburg companies and organizations have been sending money to submariners, helping them in repairs of service facilities, buying automobile transport and household appliances, and supported servicemen in other ways.

The delegates laid wreaths on water in remembrance of Northern Fleet mariners died while defending the native land in wars and in peacetime. Members of the official delegation visited the central station of a nuclear-powered submarine and attended traditional "submariner sacring" ceremony.

The guests visited a submarine division based in Olenya Bay, and saw service and living conditions of submariners. Also, they held meetings with crewmembers of submarine Orenburg.

Patronage plans include repair of barracks, construction of a hangar, and resolving of some other problems. Military and patriotic education of youngsters is also a work of no little significance.

Subsequent agreement between Orenburg region and NF nuclear submarine division regarding cooperation till 2015 was signed during the visit. The solemn signing ceremony was held in Severomorsk with participation of NF Commander Admiral Nikolai Maksimov and Orenburg Governor Yury Berg. The ceremony was also attended by the chairman of parliamentary committee on defense MP Viktor Zavarzin and other delegates.

Another noteworthy event was concerts of Orenburg vaudeville studio "Class" and rock band "Combat". Two concerts arranged for NF servicemen were excellently performed and warmly met by the audience.

"Submariners deserve great respect. Their strength of fortitude, physical endurance, and heroism made the same strong impression on me as the nuclear-powered submarine they serve in", said Alexander Grabovsky.

Speaking of the agreement signed between Orenburg region and NF nuclear submarine division, he pointed out that changes in regional leadership had not affected good relations with Northern Fleet.