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Page 283
Chapter Thirty-Four
Bykovo Air Base, Russia/December 1
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If you ask a Russian serviceman which was the most memorable day of his life, he will say that it was the day he took the Oath of Allegiance. And that is quite natural, because it is a solemn pledge of loyalty to his Homeland. As soon as a man takes it, he assumes responsibility for the fate of his country and people, he swears he will defend them to his last breath, to the last drop of his blood.
COLONEL G. KOBOZEV IN RUSSIAN MILITARY REVIEW
Air Regiment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Sarunas Danius of the 875th Interceptor Regiment of the Russian air force peered anxiously through the windows of the ready room, watching the armored limousine arrive with a flourish, the rank flag of a general officer flying on its standard at the left front fender. He turned to gesture at the room full of pilots, trying to silence the everyday uproar. Regimental headquarters had passed along the word that this new general was a tiger

 
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