USS Fitzgerald Called At Vladivostok

03.10.2011 American guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald headed by Cmdr Brian Mutty on Oct 1 arrived in Vladivostok paying official visit, reported RIA Novosti referring to Pacific Fleet (PF) Commander's press secretary Roman Martov.

"The purpose of the visit which will last till Oct 4 is further development of naval cooperation between Russian and US navies. Large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov headed by Capt 1 rank Denis Antsiferov acts as a host ship", said the interviewee.

According to him, American military delegation will pay visits to PF command, Vladivostok mayor, and lay a wreath at the Pacific Fleet Battle Glory Memorial. The visit program also includes informal meetings with Russian sailors, friendly soccer game, and sightseeing tours around Vladivostok.

"Pacific Fleet servicemen and American sailors have established steady professional relations based on mutual visits and anti-terror exercises. Warships of both countries take part in the international anti-piracy campaign in the Gulf of Aden", Martov said.

PF task unit led by Guard missile cruiser Varyag is presently in the long-range cruise; it has visited Japan and is heading for the US and Canada, reminded the officer. Calling at Mariana Islands, Russian and American ships will conduct the Pacific Eagle bilateral anti-terror exercise.

Speaking to RIA Novosti, a spokesman for public relations department of US Consulate General in Vladivostok said that one of the visit's purposes would be planning of the Pacific Eagle 2011 anti-terror exercise to be held off Mariana Islands. According to the interviewee, commander of Destroyer Squadron 15 Capt John Schultz arrived in Vladivostok on board USS Fitzgerald to discuss details of the coming exercise. American servicemen will visit children's department of municipal oncology hospital, children's social rehabilitation center "Sail of Hope", and invite orphan kids on board the destroyer to hold a chess tournament. Guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald is 12th ship of this class; she was laid down on Feb 9, 1993 and commissioned on Oct 14, 1995. The ship was named after Lt William Fitzgerald, the hero of Vietnam War who saved subordinates at the expense of his life. The ship's motto is "Protect Your People".