5th Operational Squadron

5-я оперативная эскадра

Military Unit: 51215

Commanders:

• Counter Admiral Boris Fedorovich Petrov, 14.6.67 - 11.9.69
• Counter Admiral Vladimir Matveevich Leonenkov, 11.9.69 - 7.12.71
• Counter Admiral Evgeniy Ivanovich Volobuev, 7.12.71 - 29.3.74
• Counter Admiral Vladimir Ilich Akimov, 29.3.74 - 1.6.77
• Counter Admiral Nikolay Ivanovich Ryabinskiy, 1.6.77 - 22.2.81
• Counter Admiral Valentin Egorovich Selivanov, 22.2.81 - 19.9.85
• Counter Admiral Vladimir Ivanovich Kalabin, 19.9.85 - 1988
• Admiral Aleksandr Vasilevich Gorbunov, 1988 - 1990
• Vice-Admiral Petr Grigorevich Svyatashov, 1990 - 1992
• Admiral Yury Nikolaevich Sysuev, 1992 - 31.12.92

Activated 14.6.67 in Sevastopol, Crimean Oblast.

Also known as the Mediterranean squadron - any ship operating in the Mediterranean, automatically came under the 5th Operational Squadron.

Did not have any units permanently attached, and was divided into six task forces and a group of support ships:

• Task Force 50 - flagship (usually the cruiser "Zhdanov") and its escorts
• Task Force 51 - submarines (usually six to eight submarines)
• Task Force 52 - missile ships
• Task Force 53 - anti-submarine warfare ships
• Task Force 54 - landing ships
• Task Force 55 - escorts

As only few harbours in the Mediterranean were available for logistic support (Port Said in Egypt to 1972, Tartus and Latakia in Syria), the squadron would use so-called low water anchor points (anchorages), where ships could be based for extended periods and could be resupplied from naval and civilian auxiliaries. Several anchorages were available:

• Point 3 (Hammamet anchorage) off the Tunisian coast - mainly used by flagships and staff, as well as submarines arriving from the Northern Fleet
• Point 52 (North of Sollum anchorage) - mainly used by surface ships from the Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet
• Point 10 (Lemnos anchorage) - mainly used by scout ships
• Point 70 (Riviera anchorage) between Italy and France
• Alboran Island anchorage
• Kithira anchorage - extensive use for ships moving to and from the Black Sea
• East of Crete anchorage
• Northeast of Cyprus anchorage

All anchor point were also used for intelligence gathering and monitoring shipping in the Mediterranean.

31.12.85 to 1.10.89 known as the 5th Ship Flotilla.

Disbanded 31.12.92.

Base:

• Sevastopol, Crimean Oblast, 6.67 - 12.92