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Russia reopens Arctic North Fleet base, RT pays a visit

9-9-2014 < RT 149 272 words
 

Military exercises of Russian Northern Fleet (RIA Novosti / Mikhail Fomichev)

“We’re barely out of port, and the naval battle group is already being attacked by a theoretical enemy air force. Hostile jets are coming in from almost every direction… and the fleet’s task now is to repel the offensive,” RT’s Murad Gazdiev excitedly stated from the ship.



“Aboard this ship, the Admiral Levchenk, command has ordered anti-aircraft fire with live missiles. The fleet is also rapidly changing its course, veering and deploying smoke screens to further confuse the enemy,” Gazdiev added, also saying that the excitement and adrenalin are clearly felt among the crew.


“This is as close to fighting as it gets,” the correspondent concluded.


The local top brass provided RT with the information on how the air defense is organized.


“The principle of air defense is simple: the strong protect the weak. Ships with powerful anti-air defenses cover the other members of the fleet,” Evgeny Shevtsov, chief of battle group’s air defense, said.



It’s not only technical details that make the military drills successful, but also discipline, mutual respect and camaraderie, the commander told RT.


“When I was a civilian, I would never have believed that men so different, from so many social classes and with such varied interests could mingle and get along so well… I didn't think we could form a group so tightknit,” one of the soldiers on board said.


For more see Murad Gazdiev’s report



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