Ukrainian minesweeper Cherkasy returns home from BLACKSEAFOR activation

31.08.2010 On Aug 30 Ukrainian sea-going minesweeper Cherkasy finished its part in subsequent activation of the Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR), sailed off Bulgarian port Varna and set a course to homeport Novoozernoye.

During the activation, participating ships visited ports of Constanta (Romania), Sevastopol (Ukraine), and Varna (Bulgaria). The crews held drills on surface picture control, sailing in formations, tactical maneuvering, signaling and communications, monitoring over civil ships and aircrafts, transshipment, interception and search of a "violator" vessel, air and mine defenses, humanitarian and environmental operations.

Some ships attended the search-and rescue exercise jointly with Bulgarian SR Service. During port calls commanding officers paid protocol visits to local authorities and senior naval commanders; crews conducted harbor drills, communication trainings, and visited cultural and historical sites.

It is planned that a number of drills will be held on-board Cherkasy during the way home; in particular, rescue of a man overboard, underway damage control, antiship/antiaircraft/antiterror drills.

It should be noted that participation of Ukrainian warship in BLACKSEAFOR activation was conducted in accordance with international cooperation event schedule of Ukrainian defense ministry.