I saw that on a different news source.

The Sergey Osipov nearby is a Boris Chilikin class fleet tanker. Launched in Baltic Shipyard. I thought it was part of the Northern Fleet…any idea what it was doing around Gibraltar, or was there contingincy planning in place?

Correct, Osipov is part of the Northern Fleet. She sailed from Severomorsk along with the rest of the Kuznetsov Task Force. Osipov went through the English Channel a few hours after the Kuznetsov. The Osipov location off Morocco is a regular rest up point used by the Russian Navy and other shipping. Not sure where the “Gibraltar” reference came from? If you click on the track Osipov took the southerly channel through the Strait of Gibraltar before heading for the rest-up point.

https://www.vesselfinder.com/?mmsi=273546000

It appears that Osipov went ahead of the main task force to the regular rest-up point off Morocco.

Possibly the main group went through with the Tug Nikolay Chiker?

HF Morse weather message from Nikolay Chiker during 18 GMT.

RAL48 26181 99359 70057 22222 at 1833 GMT

35.9N 05.7W Heading East at 6-10 Knots

Map Link

https://goo.gl/maps/gkY3hUh9vGL2

Baltic Fleet Tanker Lena headed down to the Azores about a week before the Kuznetsov sailed. No idea where she is now but possibly was part of the pre-deployed tanker force. Lena has been on past Kuznetsov deployments. Baltic Fleet tanker Kola is on AIS and heading for the English Channel. Possibly in support of another op or re-assigned for the Kuznetsov group?

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/KOLA-IMO-6720004-MMSI-273318510

Northern Fleet tanker Kama was on AIS last week. In the Sea of Azov/Black Sea. Kama has been on previous Kuznetsov deployments so possibly will exit the Bosphorus to support the task force?

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/KAMA-IMO-8860822-MMSI-273431840

Breaking on Sky News UK.

Russia’s Embassy in Spain says that the request for Russian warships to refuel in the Spanish port of Ceuta has been withdrawn.

Speaking of reality checks, here is Navy Ship USS Freedom in the San Diego Bay.

What “reality check”?

Early this morning littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) was making preparations to get underway after a prolonged maintenance period pier side. After the ship’s diesel engines were started, black smoke could be seen emitting from the ship. The black smoke was a result of carbon build-up being burned off after sitting idle for nearly 9 months.

Source:
LT Julianne Holland
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet

https://coronadotimes.com/news/2016/02/19/fire-on-navy-ship-in-bay/

Run down of some of the western recce flights tracking the Kuznetsov Task Group.

RAF Tornado GR4 out of RAF Marham likely with RAPTOR recce pod.

Swedish Air Force SIGINT/ELINT Gulfstream IV. Prior to the following mission they had conducted a mission further north off Norway.

2 x US Navy P-8A Poseidon. At least one of them operating out of Keflavik,Iceland.

RAF C-130J operating out of RAF Brize Norton.

US Navy P-8A Poseidon operating out of Rota, Spain.

Geolocation of Turkish airstrikes in Syria. 18/19th October 2016.

https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2016/10/21/geolocation-turkish-airstrikes-ypg-positions/

Syria threatens shootdowns if the air strikes continue.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-conflict-latest-assad-threatens-turkish-planes-will-be-shot-down-after-aleppo-kurds-attack-a7373451.html

Tug Nikolay Chiker Oct 20, 2016 19:40 UTC. From AIS

52.73717N 2.63163E

https://goo.gl/maps/XZa8YWPBvjT2

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/NIKOLAY-CHIKER-IMO-8613334-MMSI-273531629

NOTAM for Kuznetsov flight ops Wed 19th October until Fri 21st October off the coast of Norway.

RECEIVED FROM MAIN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGMENT CENTER OF RUSSIA: RUSSIAN
NAVY TRAINING FLTS IN HIGH SEA AREA OF THE NORTH SEA PSN 6300N 00000E
– 6300N 00400E – 6150N 00300E – 6150N 00000E – (6300N 00000E)

LOWER: Surface, UPPER: FL180

FROM: 19 Oct 2016 07:00 GMT (09:00 CEST) TO: 21 Oct 2016 16:00 GMT (18:00 CEST)
SCHEDULE: DAILY 0700-1600

Google translate of the following link

The Russian Navy has notified the Civil Aviation Authority that they will train on aircraft operations in international airspace west of Floro from Wednesday morning.

Alerted three days of exercises
But Wednesday morning it is expected that the eight vessels slowing down the pace. The Russians have warned the Norwegian authorities that they will practice in an area of about 20,000 square kilometers, in international waters off the coast of Sogn og Fjordane.

The Civil Aviation Administration has been notified of activity up to 17,000 feet from seven o’clock Wednesday morning, and in three days.

From link in Norwegian.

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/russland/russerne-vil-oeve-med-fly-i-nordsjoeen-fra-onsdag-morgen/a/23823619/

[ATTACH=CONFIG]249079[/ATTACH]