Pacific Fleet Practiced Missile Firings

19.09.2011 Active phase of large scale exercise held by Eastern Military District continues in Kamchatka region in accordance with combat training plan.

On Sept 14 a landing force arrived from Primorsky Krai and conducted assault operation on the seashore near Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky.

Less than one day later, a real training battle burst in Pacific Ocean; a surface ship task force headed by Capt 1 rank Sergei Zhuga had successfully repelled an "enemy" air attack. Two Pacific Fleet (PF) warships launched numerous types of training targets which was a reliability test for task force's air defense.

The next phase of maneuvers scheduled on Sept 16 was unexpectedly complexified by the exercise directors. The headquarters ordered to carry out joint firing at sea targets in the nighttime.

Aside from coastal missilemen, a nuclear-powered submarine and a small-size missile ship carried out drills at the same time. Mariners were covered by coastal missile systems Rubezh and Redut. Sustainer engines of cruise missiles lighted the Skalisty Cape with fire, and then missiles immediately flew to the darkness.

The contingency task became an unexpected surprise for missilemen who have been living in a field camp for about 2 months. As for acting commander of missile/gun brigade Col. Alexander Shevchenko, over 200 servicemen and more than 40 combat assets were involved in this phase of the exercise.

Later on, special recording system proved all training targets had been effectively killed.