Pacific Fleet Ships Returned Home from RIMPAC Exercise

04.09.2012 Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit comprising destroyer Admiral Panteleyev, replenishment oiler Boris Butoma, and ocean-going rescue tug Fotiy Krylov on Sept 3 has finished long-range cruise and returned to Vladivostok under general command of Capt 1 Rank Sergei Sobokar.

The meeting ceremony was accompanied by PF naval band and attended by PF Primorskaya Flotilla Commander RADM Viktor Sokolov, the fleet's staff officers, and crewmen's families.

After mooring, a solemn meeting was arranged at 44-th quay, and commanding officers of the returned ships received traditional roasted piglets. Servicemen distinguished in the cruise and the international exercise were awarded by gifts and commendations.

Recall that the task unit left the PF main base Vladivostok on June 13. Through the cruise held since June 29 till Sept 3, Russian sailors for the first time ever participated in the world's largest joint naval exercise RIMPAC-2012 nearby Hawaii. Active phase of the maneuvers was carried out since July 11 through Aug 2. Performing complicated training elements, crews of the Russian ships displayed high proficiency and excellent naval skills.

Among the highest points of the exercise were effective gun firings at a small-size fast target, exchange of anti-terror teams with American counterparts, landing of a Russian helicopter on the deck of USS Nimitz, and taking pictures of general formation of participating ships.

Under way home, the task unit called at Japanese port Maizuru. Russian sailors met with local naval base commander and the city mayor, took rest, and replenished supplies. The ships set a homeward course for Vladivostok on Sept 1. In total, through almost 3-month long cruise the task unit has covered over 10,000 nautical miles.