Baltic Fleet missilemen prepare for summer exercises

10.06.2011 S-300 air defense missile battalion of Baltic Fleet (BF) Aerospace Defense Division took over combat watch to protect Russia's western air frontiers. BF missilemen are ready to complete any combat mission at any moment.

According to battalion commander Lt. Col. Evgeny Krugliak, NATO fighters sometimes approach air border of Kaliningrad region, especially during naval exercises at Baltic Fleet. In case of violation of state frontier, alert force of BF Aerospace Defense is ready to neutralize violators and repel aerial enemy's attacks.

During participation in the Vigilant Skies 2011 international anti-terror exercise all aircraft maneuvers of an airplane over Kaliningrad region were tracked by BF alert forces. The fleet's missilemen successfully detected and identified the aerial target. According to scenario, the airplane was hijacked by terrorists. An air wing of Su-27 fighters took off airbase Chkalovsk (Kaliningrad) upon command of aerospace defense alert force director. BF radar units provided airspace control during interception and tracking of violator aircraft. Such Russian-NATO anti-terror exercise was held for the first time. Baltic Fleet air defense force has performed training tasks with excellence.

In summer, missile firings of BF Aerospace Defense Force in Chita region will be an important test for the fleet. Active preparation for that drill is in progress now.

Air defense battalion headed by Lt. Col. Evgeny Krugliak is one of the units to participate in the tactical firing drill. Main task of missile crews is to track all aerial targets and destroy only assigned ones. Servicemen of battalion improve their professional skills every day. One of the basic training standards for missilemen is putting S-300 SAM system on alert. The battalion's personnel have only 5 minutes since alarm moment to occupy fire position, switch on and test equipment. Simultaneously, battalion command post starts to scan airspace, lock-on and track "foe" targets. Air defense systems are collective weapon, and only integrated and professional actions of the whole battalion bring good results.

BF missilemen work hard to achieve success at the coming exercise. Last year they effectively hit five mockups imitating aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and land targets.

Expectedly, the park of missile systems will be renewed in the nearest future. According to national Rearmament Program, it is planned to re-equip air defense units with up-to-date systems until 2015.