Caesar Kunikov to participate in BLACKSEAFOR exercise

25.03.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: large landing ship Caesar Kunikov (popmech.ru)

Subsequent stage of exercise under activation of Black Sea operational coordination group BLACKSEAFOR will be conducted in April; Black Sea Fleet (BSF) large landing ship Caesar Kunikov will take part in the exercise, reports Thursday BSF Informational Support Group.

"During activation of Black Sea operational coordination group BLACKSEAFOR which is headed by Bulgarian Navy's representative, Russian Federation will be represented by large landing ship Caesar Kunikov", says the press release.

While working out training tasks at sea, crews of the international force ships will carry out joint drills on tactical maneuvering, antisurface warfare, air defense and various types of communications.

Within the international unit, mariners will train rescue actions of ship in distress, maritime isolation, ship search, and replenishment at sea.

Special attention of participants will be given to antiterror drills. To provide security of Russian ship while moored at foreign ports and practicing practical skills at sea, Russian landing ship will have BSF marine unit on board.

During the exercise warships of participating Black Sea countries will call at ports of Burgas (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania) and Eregli (Turkey).

In accordance with agreement signed in April 2001 in Istanbul and established Black Sea naval group BLACKSEAFOR, its tasks are conducting operations on search and rescue of ships in distress, humanitarian, anti-mine, ecology operations, good will visits and other missions coordinated with BLACKSEAFOR members – Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.