Update on the Russian Navy Task Force.
Ship
RAL65 is now nearing home port in the Northern Fleet.
17 January @ 18 GMT Morse transmission to HQ Northern Fleet.
8345 RIT DE RAL65 QSA ? QTC K @1805
RAL65 745 16 17 2203 745 BT FOR RJH45 RJH74 BT
17181 99711 10302 41/98 82211 10000 40230 52010 70222 89/// 22233 00030 20503 17013 BT AR RAL65 K
71.1N 30.2E Heading South East at 11-15 Knots.
71.1N 30.2E - Google Maps
RFS Sergei Osipov is due to visit Malta on the 18th January.
Malta Ship & Action Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli
Tug Nikolay Chiker is underway and was east of Malta. It was anchored up at
35°47.16' N 14°52.84'E. It appears to be going out of AIS range?
35°47.16'N 14°52.84'E - Google Maps
Ship
RAL46 has not been active in Morse for a couple of days.
Ship
RKO81 has been moving towards the Strait of Gibraltar and transmitting weather in Morse. As of 17 January RKO81 was at
36.2N 03.5W and heading South West at 11-15 Knots.
36.2N 03.5W - Google Maps
Some video footage from the Mediterranean showing Flanker training off the Kuznetsov.
Link to video
The girls and guys on QRA will probably be kept busy in the next few weeks? Possibly an exercise involving the return journey of the Naval Task Force?
Strategic aviation will resume patrols of the Russian Air Force in late January
Strategic Aviation Air Force (IAF), the Russian Federation in late January to resume air patrols in areas Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the waters of Black Sea coast, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said on Air Force Col. Vladimir Drik.
In early September, the Japanese authorities have expressed concern about the patrols of the airspace in the Pacific Ocean by long-range Tu-95MS bombers the Russian Air Force. Later, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Army General Nikolai Makarov told
reporters that Russia will not abandon the safety of strategic Russian Air Force, "in spite of the notes in some countries." He stressed that the Russian Air Force while always observed and respected international laws governing such flights.
"Since the end of January 2012 long-range aviation crews continue to perform tasks on the air patrolling the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans, the waters of the Black Sea coast and along the routes along the borders of the Commonwealth of Independent
States, carrying out missions as a baseline, and with operational airfields , "- said Drik.
He added that in 2012 the personnel of the air bases for long-range aircraft will take part in exercise "Kavkaz-2012" and "Peace Mission 2012".
Google translation from a Russian link.