Landing Ship Novocherkassk Left Trabzon, Turkey

20.08.2012 Representing Russia in the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR), landing ship Novocherkassk on Aug 17 had finished the 3-day call at port of Trabzon, Turkey.

When leaving the port, the joint flotilla practiced piloting behind mine sweeps and after communication check naval mariners of Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine set about 11-th day of the BLACKSEAFOR activation.

Later on that day, the ships exercised in control of commercial shipping, underway replenishing of supplies, heading in formation, and use of special computer communications. The international task group also held an antiaircraft drill, practiced countering of asymmetric threats, searching and rescuing at sea, visual communications, maneuvering drill for watch officers, totally about 15 training episodes.

During the joint maneuvering exercise, a Turkish Navy's helicopter took pictures of the BLACKSEAFOR ships.

The joint naval group is expected to arrive at Russian port Novorossiysk on Aug 21.

Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group BLACKSEAFOR was established on Apr 2, 2001 in Istanbul. Expressing the will to contribute in regional security, stability, and strengthening of neighborly relations, countries of Black Sea region – Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine – agreed to form an international naval force. Its purpose is improvement of friendly relations and mutual confidence amid Black Sea countries.