December 25, 2005
ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE ANACONDA COILS:
For Gorshkov, Navy pilots head to US for training (SHIV AROOR, December 24, 2005, Indian Express)
By the time Russian-built aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov arrives in 2008, the Navy will have a contingent of 32 pilots, trained in specialised deck-based fighter operations at the US Navy training command in Pensacola, Florida.With the first batch of four Lieutenant-rank officers are already under training there, the next is scheduled to go in March.
The selection of venue for training to operate Russian-built MiG-29K fighters off the Gorshkov may seem strange but the government was compelled to accept the Pentagon’s offer because Russia has no facilities for intermediate deck-based flight training. The US Navy training school in Pensacola trains Naval F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots.
It's a carom shot that only seems strange if you don't consider who the common enemies of the three are. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 25, 2005 4:17 PM
The most important datum of the first half of the Twentieth Century was that the Americans were English-speaking. Let us see how the next part of the saying works out.
As an aside, the Ivans weren't smart enough or rich enough to develop carrier ops the last time they tried to pull it off. Remember, to be able to fight like the United States, you must become the United States. We shall see.
Posted by: Lou Gots at December 25, 2005 8:26 PMApparantly the French turned them down. The Charles DeGaulle is on another "breakdown" cruise.
We might assume the Gorshkov's assignment will be in the Vladivostok area.
Posted by: Genecis at December 26, 2005 3:17 PM