BLACKSEAFOR deploys to hold exercise

11.08.2010 Subsequent activation of the Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR) comprising all Black Sea countries has been started, reports Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Information Support Group.

"Russian Navy is represented by BSF large landing ship Yamal which sailed off Sevastopol on Tuesday. The ship heads for Romanian port Constanta where the BLACKSEAFOR command will triumphantly pass from Bulgaria to Romania", said the press release.

It is planned to deploy the task group in the Black Sea in Aug 11-30.

BLACKSEAFOR ships will call at ports of Constanta, Varna, and Sevastopol. During the exercise joint drills on tactical maneuvering, conducting a surface battle, air defense, and various types of communications will be performed.

Within multinational force the crews will train cooperative actions on salvage of a distressed ship, isolation and search of a ship, underway replenishment.

According to agreement tied between Black Sea countries in 2001, the Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR) is assigned to be used in the Black Sea while emergency situations and only for peaceful purposes, for search-and-rescue and humanitarian operations, mine-sweeping, environmental monitoring, joint exercises, and goodwill visits.