PF task unit led by missile cruiser Varyag arrived to the U.S.

22.06.2010 Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit headed by Guard missile cruiser Varyag on June 21 arrived to San Francisco, CA with friendly visit, reported RIA Novosti referring to Capt 1 rank Roman Martov, the head of PF Information and Public Relations Service.

The task unit under command of Rear Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov and consisting of PF flagship Guard missile cruiser Varyag, salvage tug Fotiy Krylov, and tanker Boris Butoma sailed off Vladivostok on June 4 to pay friendly visit to American port of San Francisco.

"Triumphant meeting ceremony of Russian ships started at midnight (Moscow time). The US was represented by Vice Admiral Richard W. Hunt, US 3rd Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Brown, Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, and representatives of San Francisco city authorities. Russian mariners were also met by Vladimir Vinokurov, Russian Consul General in San Francisco", specified the interviewee.

According to him, long 2-week cruise through the Pacific Ocean has passed successfully; the crews are in high spirits, all shipborne systems operate normally.

"Visit to San Francisco is held within framework of international military cooperation between Russia and the US. The visit's objectives are demonstration of Russian naval flag and further development of service and friendly relations between Russian and US navies", pointed out Martov.

According to him, PF delegation will pay a call to San Francisco Mayor's office. Pacific mariners will familiarize with the city and its history, visit museums and memorable places, and conduct sport and informal activities with American counterparts.

"Russian naval orchestra arrived on board Varyag will give concerts to locals and guests of San Francisco. Their playlist includes Russian classics, folk songs, and martial music. Also, Varyag will be open for public access; guests could have a tour over the warship and listen to brass band on the deck", Martov said.

He pointed out that mutual friendly visits and joint Russian-American naval exercises have become ordinary at Pacific Fleet.

"Latest Russian-American anti-piracy exercise was held in Apr 2010 in the Gulf of Aden. PF task unit led by large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov and USS Farragut (DDG-99) from Task Force 151 operating in the Gulf of Aden", said the head of PF press service.

Previously, Pacific mariners paid visits to US ports San Diego, Seattle, Pearl Harbor, Mariana Islands, pointed out the interviewee. In their turn, American warships regularly call at Vladivostok to attend festivities associated with the Victory Day.

Missile cruiser Varyag is a successor of same-named legendary ship which crew won glory during the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) in the naval battle near Chemulpo.

As of today, cruiser Varyag is armed with powerful multipurpose attack missile system capable to destroy sea- and land surface targets at considerable distances. In Varyag's arsenal there are ASW rocket launchers, torpedo tubes, and several gun mounts with different calibers and purposes. Russian warships of such class are dubbed in NATO as "flattop killers".