Japanese Warships Finished Visit to Vladivostok with Joint Exercise

27.09.2012 Visit of Japanese naval mariners to Vladivostok finished on Sept 26. After the farewell ceremony to accompaniment of Pacific Fleet (PF) band, ships of the joint formation left Vladivostok heading for the Peter the Great Bay to hold the SAREX joint exercise.

Pacific Fleet delegated destroyer Admiral Panteleyev, missile boat R-29, and seagoing tug MB-99. Japan was represented by destroyer Ariake and frigate Oyodo.

At the first phase of the exercise, the participants formed a task unit and held communication and maneuvering drills. At the second phase, Russian tug MB-99 sent a distress call. Russian and Japanese ships headed for the "distressed" ship to render assistance.

At first, dummy sufferers were picked from water, and then Japanese emergency response team boarded the tug and examined interior premises. Alongside with that, fire-fighting teams from Admiral Panteleyev and Japanese destroyer Ariake completely neutralized fire spots.

According to Russian director of the exercise Capt 1 Rank Igor Smolyak, despite vagaries of the Far East weather, strong wind, and severe sea disturbances, all episodes of the exercise were accomplished in full. He also mentioned about well-arranged and professional actions of Japanese colleagues at all stages of the exercise.

Upon termination of the rescue operation, Russian and Japanese ships held farewell ceremony heading alongside each other on opposite course.

Recall that the Japanese task unit on Sept 23 called at PF main base Vladivostok. That was the tenth visit of Japanese warships to Vladivostok in Russia's contemporary history. Purpose of the visit is strengthening of friendly relations amid the two navies and carrying out the Russian-Japanese joint naval exercise.