Russian Pilots Head Home With Happy Hearts After Hard Won Victory in Syria
The Russian Air Command unit located at the Khmeimim Air Base has become the main attack force which helped alter the course of the war and stopped the terrorists' victory march over Syria. Our aircraft went to Syria in September 2015, after Assad had officially invited Russian army, and after The Federation Council confirmed it. By then, terrorists controlled as much as 70% of the country.
Over 1,500 ISIS units were destroyed the very first month. According to TASS, Russian pilots would take off 50-60 times every day, and up to 100 times at the peak of the campaign. Also, the fighters from Khmeimim escorted strategic bombers which took off from Russian airfields. Today, the troops have started withdrawing.
Alexander Sladkov reporting.
- Now, we are standing on the Khmeimim airfield, while the plane which will take the troops home soon is standing behind our back. What are the passengers on this flight talking about? What are they leaving here? Is it just memories, souvenirs maybe? Maybe, some of you have left something important here. Slava, would you please tell us?
Russian pilots:
– I think, going home, people leave here all the efforts they have applied during these 2 years. I think... I think we are leaving with a sense of accomplishment.
– People are talking about a lot of things, like, someone wants to be home by his kid's birthday. The other ones miss home so much that they cannot think of anything else but home-cooked meals. Some want to call their moms. Things like that.
– Everyone just wants to get home to the Motherland. They are sure to get a warm welcome.
– What feeling do the pilots have when they are leaving Syria?
– The main feeling is that all of us are alive and well. We are going home. We'll see our families soon. This is the most important thing. The mission has been completed. This is a key moment in Syrian history. ISIS is defeated.
– Dima, what is the victory for the pilots? How would you explain it to the people who live in Moscow, Tula, Ryazan, to all the Russians, to the people of the world who will see these interviews we have shot today at the Khmeimim Air Base?
– First of all, it's been very risky and difficult work of many people. We have defeated an evil force which held the country under control.
– How would you explain it to civilians that you feel satisfied with the mission's results?
– I would say... I can't tell you that, it's all about the feeling. Every time that we fulfill a task we bring peace to the people of this country. Another part of the world is free from terrorists.
Alexander Sladkov