Pacific Fleet turns 280

20.05.2011 Pacific Fleet will celebrate its 280th anniversary on May 21.

News about attacks of aggressive neighbors upon eastern territories of the Russian Empire began to come to Russian capital city in the reign of Anna Ioanovna (1730 – 1740). To protect lands, maritime commercial lanes and fishery areas, Russian people had to build ships and station them at naval ports.

The Senate issued a decree to establish Okhotsk Naval Port on May 21, 1731; that was the first permanently-based Russian naval unit in the Far East. So, ships of Okhotsk port were the initial segment of Russia's naval forces in that region; they played key role in protection of national interests and then have risen into Pacific Fleet.

Being the component of Russian Navy, Pacific Fleet (PF) provides Russia's military security in Asia-Pacific region.

To reach this goal, Pacific Fleet operates ballistic missile submarines; nuclear- and diesel-powered attack submarines; littoral and ocean-going surface ships; strategic, antisubmarine, and fighter aviation; land and coastal troops.

Festivities will start on May 21 at 9 am with solemn color ceremony of St. Andrew's and national flags in front of Pacific Fleet HQ building. Then the wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Pacific Fleet's Battle Glory Memorial.

Triumphant meeting ceremony of PF ships returning from anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden will be held at 1 pm on 33rd pier. Afterwards, a festive concert will start in Vladivostok Naval Officers' Club at 3 pm.

In addition, demonstrative performance of regional Martial Arts Federation will take place on the heliport of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov. Up to 10 teams of PF and regional sportsmen plan to attend the contest.