PF task unit led by cruiser Varyag completed visit to the US

28.06.2010 Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit led by Guard missile cruiser Varyag headed for home base Vladivostok having completed friendly visit to San Francisco, CA, reported RIA Novosti citing Capt 1 rank Roman Martov, the head of PF Information and Public Relations Service.

The task unit commanded by Rear Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov and consisting of PF flagship Guard missile cruiser Varyag, salvage tug Boris Butoma, and tanker Fotiy Krylov paid friendly visit to San Francisco in June 21-26. On Wednesday the cruiser hosted Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. The president viewed the ship and talked with the crew.

"On Saturday the unit left San Francisco and set back course for Vladivostok. The visit was held in the atmosphere of hospitality and kindness; Russian mariners had a long cultural program there", pointed out the interviewee.

Hundreds of locals visited cruiser Varyag during the Open Days. Among them were many Russian compatriots living in the US. They had excursions on the ship and talked to sailors.

"Military delegation of Pacific Fleet paid visit to San Francisco city council. Pacific mariners familiarize with the city and its history, attended museums and memorable sites, and held sport games and informal meetings with American counterparts", specified Martov.

He pointed out that San Francisco holds a specific place in the history of Russian-American naval diplomacy. On Sept 27, 1863 Russia's Pacific Squadron under command of Rear Admiral Andrei Popov for the first time arrived to San Francisco with friendly visit.

There was a civil war between northern and southern states of America. England and France supported the slave-owning South. They were about to start an armed intervention trying to break national integrity of the US. Russia was against aggressive intentions of Paris and London and stood up for Administration of Abraham Lincoln.

"Presence of Russian naval squadron off California's unprotected coast not only demonstrated backing of Lincoln' government but defeated Britain's and France's plans", Martov said.

By historians' estimate, Russians were given an ecstatic welcome both by population and authorities. On Oct 23, 1863 Russian sailors helped to extinguish a huge fire in San Francisco. Russian and American colors were hoisted in all cities where Russian mariners appeared; there were numerous military parades and solemn meetings.

"Nowadays, 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) took part in the exercise", said the head of PF press service.

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