Baltic Fleet ships hold drills at sea

16.06.2011 Baltic Fleet (BF) corvette Stereguschiy has conducted drills at sea. Aircrews of Ka-27 ASW helicopters practiced takeoffs and landings on the ship's deck at the sea test range.

Being a multirole sea-going ship, Stereguschiy is equipped with hangar and heliport. One of the corvette's functions is antisubmarine warfare. With this end in view, the ship is reinforced with ASW helicopter except for shipborne arms. Therefore, interaction between the corvette's crew and personnel of BF Helicopter Squadron is the key combat training element for both mariners and aviators.

"Deck landing is the most difficult type of combat training for naval pilots", said Lt. Col. Roman Malai, helicopter squadron commander. "First, pilots practice airfield flights, then en-route flights, and only after that they're allowed to land on a ship", he explained.

Among air crews practiced deck landing on Stereguschiy were pilots who did it for the first time. As for flight directors, the corvette's design and equipment are quite suitable for helicopter takeoffs and landings.

Leaving the harbor, Stereguschiy held an emergency helicopter landing drill, carried out combat maneuvering elements, and conducted damage control exercise. The corvette's crew along with a rescue tug rendered assistance to a "damaged" vessel and held a towage drill, practiced underway refueling and transshipment.

"The ship is fully manned with contract servicemen", said commanding officer of Stereguschiy Capt 2 rank Mikhail Burkin. "All of them are quite experienced sailors. Most of them had extended the contract service. With such crew at hand, one can easily sail the sea at any time being sure all tasks will be completed excellently", he added.

The sea drills will be finished with qualification firings of all shipborne arms.

Late in June, BF corvette Stereguschiy will attend the 5th International Maritime Defense Show in St. Petersburg.