Pacific Fleet Ships Arrived At Mariana Islands

11.10.2011 After the visit to Japanese port Maizuru, Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit headed by Guard missile cruiser Varyag arrived at Mariana Islands (USA) and called at Apra Harbor; when the visit is finished, Russian and American servicemen will hold anti-terror exercise, reported RIA Novosti on Oct 11 referring to PF Commander's press secretary Capt 1 rank Roman Martov.

The task unit consisting of the fleet's flagship cruiser Varyag, tanker Irkut, and sea-going tug MB-66 on Sept 20 started a long-range cruise after termination of large-scale exercise off Kamchatka in order to visit Japan, the US, and Canada. The cruise is held under command of Capt 1 rank Sergei Zhuga.

In Sept 25-30 the task unit paid a courtesy visit to Japanese port Maizuru (Honshu Island). Russian and Japanese mariners held a bilateral naval exercise and rendered assistance to a ship calling for aid at high sea. Along with PF task unit, four ships of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force including destroyer Akebono took part in the exercise.

"Upon termination of the visit, the task unit left Japan and set a course for Mariana Islands. Recently, it arrived in Apra Harbor", said the interviewee.

According to him, the visit to Mariana Islands will be closed with the Pacific Eagle US-Russian anti-terror exercise. The parties plan to conduct several episodes including release of a vessel "captured" by terrorists.

"Russian large ASW ship Marshall Shaposhnikov used to visit Mariana Islands four years ago and participated in anti-piracy maneuvers", Martov said.

He added that at the final stage of the cruise Russian servicemen would pay informal visit to Canadian port Vancouver. The task unit is expected to return at PF main naval base Vladivostok early in Dec 2011.

Present-day missile cruiser Varyag is a successor of the same-named legendary ship which crew won glory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) during sea battle at Chemulpo. Missile cruiser Varyag is armed with powerful multipurpose missile attack system capable to hit sea- and land surface targets at considerable distances.

Also, the ship is armed with ASW rocket launchers, torpedo tubes, and various gun mounts. NATO dubbed Russian ships of this type as "flattop killers".