Text: RIA Novosti
Photo: Large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyev. Pacific Fleet Information Support Group
Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit led by large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyev sailing from Vladivostok to the Gulf of Aden has finished formal visit to Cambodian port Sihanoukville on Sept 13 and charted a course toward the Horn of Africa to attend anti-piracy mission, reported RIA Novosti referring to PF Commander's press secretary Capt 1 rank Roman Martov.
The sixth PF task unit consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyev, a tanker, a salvage tug, and marine unit on board left Vladivostok on Aug 29 and headed for the Horn of Africa to form international commercial convoys and escort them through the Gulf of Aden protecting from Somali piracy.
"The formal visit to port of Sihanoukville was held in Sept 8-13 in the atmosphere of hospitality and kindness. Local authorities, command of Cambodian naval base Ream, and residents of the town showed deference to Russian naval servicemen. On Tuesday at 7 pm (Moscow time), the task unit triumphantly left Sihanoukville ", said the interviewee.
According to him, that was the first visit of PF warships to Cambodia in the Russia's recent history. Soviet warships had been visiting that country since 1968 till 1987.
"During the visit, PF official delegation headed by the task force commander Capt 1 rank Andrei Saprykin paid a call to residence of Ream naval base command, city administration, and port authorities. PF mariners had eventful cultural program", specified the interviewee.
According to Martov, Russian servicemen had familiarization tours around the town, and played soccer and volleyball friendly games with Cambodian Navy's teams.
"After the farewell ceremony, the PF task unit laid a course for the mission area near the Horn of Africa", added the spokesman. Presently, Russia's Northern Fleet task unit headed by large ASW ship Severomorsk takes part in the anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden, and PF mariners are to shift it, Martov concluded.
Crew of Admiral Panteleyev has been already experienced in the anti-piracy efforts. In spring 2009, the ship headed the second PF task unit keeping watch off the Horn of Africa.
Besides, in May 2011 Admiral Panteleyev participated in anti-piracy exercise jointly with Singaporean and Indonesian warships.