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It Wouldn't Have Been Possible without the Americans
The group of pilots and sailors who were responsible for the rescue of the crew of the AS-28 returned to Great Britain yesterday. Royal Air Force Captain Edward Dark, pilot of the C-17 Globemaster, and Stuart Gold, head of the group that operated the Scorpio 45 underwater apparatus, told Kommersant correspondent Anna Volkova about the operation.
Edward Dark: I Am Very Pleased with How the Operation Went
How was the flight organized?
I piloted the plane that brought the equipment and British specialists to Kamchatka. I received the order to be ready in two hours at 10:00 in the morning on Friday. They gave us the okay to take off at 2:00, so the negotiations went on for about four hours.
How did the flight go? Who organized the flight corridor?
There were 28 people on board. There were four pilots and we took turns flying the plane, since it was a ten-hour flight. Thanks to negotiations between the Russian and British embassies, we were allowed to fly through Russian airspace without the usual formalities. Our route took us close to the North Pole.
It was reported that some technical problems arose after you landed in Kamchatka. Is that so?
We did not have the equipment we needed. There is a fundamental difference between Russian and NATO military airplanes. Russian planes unload themselves, but our need special equipment that is in the majority of large airports. It was assumed that it would be in Russia too, but it wasn't there in Kamchatka. Fortunately, two or three hours after we arrived, Americans came in a big C-5 Galaxy plane with the equipment. If it weren't for them, I'm afraid none of it would have been possible.
What were your impressions of the operation?
I was very pleased with how the operation went. It was so pleasant to see how three nations that were so long divided by controversies working together. And most importantly, the seven sailors were saved.
Stuart Gold: We Were Very Well Received – Vodka, Caviar
Was that your first time in Russia?
Yes. I took parting the effort to save the Kursk in 2000, but we didn't go ashore then.
You've taken part in similar operations already?
We have three or four training exercises a year and carry out operations for the fleets of Great Britain, the Scandinavian countries and Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. But that was the first operation of that class and order of importance.
How were you received in Russia?
Very well. We were met there by Dmitry. Unfortunately, I don't remember his last name. I was on the Russian rescue submarine fleet crew and we met about a month ago during training in submarine rescue off the shore of Italy [Operation Sorbet Royal]. Dmitry showed us the plan for the AS-28 and helped us determine the order for cutting the cables.
Dmitry spoke English?
Yes, we spoke English. All submariners speak the language of the seas.
How did the operation go? What was your role?
My colleague Peter Nutall and I operated the Scorpio 45 throughout the whole operation. Peter operated the apparatus, I took care of cutting the cables and Dmitry helped us. There was very good visibility, about five meters.
At some point, the operation stopped because the Scorpio broke down. What happened?
The cutter was damaged and part of a screw broke off. We decided to raise the apparatus because we were sure that we could do everything very quickly. We raised the Scorpio and fixed it very quickly. We had six people on our crew.
Did you have a chance to talk to the rescued sailors?
No, we didn't see them. They were taken ashore on one ship [The Alagez] and we returned on another, our own [KIL-27]. We were taken to a Navy base, where we spent the day and then flew home. There was a huge number of people at the base and we were very well received, Russian style, vodka, caviar…
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 10, 2005
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