OREANDA-NEWS. October 23, 2009. Two strategic bombers Tu-160 of the Long-range aviation (air base in the city of Engels) successfully completed tasks according to the air patrol plan.

The route of flight took place along the northern borders of Russia to the Pacific and back along the southern borders of Russia.

Mission’s duration was more than 20 hours. During this time, crews worked for two air refuelings from IL-78 tankers.

For more than 20 years of operation of Tu-160 it is the second such long flight. The first long-range aviation pilots flew to Venezuela a year ago. Flight duration was about 18 hours with one refueling.

The same day, the tasks according to the air patrol plan were  successfully completed by two turboprop strategic bombers Tu-95MS, which were raised in the eastern part of Russia.

The route of the flight passed through the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean to the area of the Pacific Ocean. The crews of Tu-95MS worked skills of flying over the terrain with no landmarks. The flight lasted for about 15 hours.

Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly for air patrols in the waters over neutral waters of the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Black Sea from both base and operational airfields.

All flights by the Air Force are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for using airspace over neutral waters, without violating the borders of other states.