Workers at the station had dug a runway of compacted ice using tractors, marking it out with burning fuel drums filled with wood.

Modifications also included the provision of extra external fuel drums and a smoke generator.

T-80s can mount three large external fuel drums to extend their range.

The company supplies could again be restocked from battalion stocks, moved by trucks loaded with fifty litre fuel drums.

In addition, further buoyancy was provided by a cargo of empty fuel drums.