Pacific Fleet ships arrived in Indonesia

Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyev and salvage tug Fotiy Krylov called at Indonesian port Makassar on May 25; the unit is headed by Capt 1 rank Viktor Sokolov.

The meeting ceremony was held at 10.30 am (local time). Russian mariners were met on the pier by commander and staff officers of Makassar naval base and assistant of Russian military attaché in Indonesia. 

Pacific mariners hit dummy target by cruise missiles

Exercise of Pacific Fleet has been finished in the Peter the Great Bay. Joint launches of cruise missiles left no chance for the "enemy" strike group. 

Missile ships of two task formations led by Capt 1 rank Sergei Zhuga and Capt 1 rank Igor Osipov sailed off the base on Tuesday. Having arrived to the firing area, they re-shaped into several type groups and carried out missile launches against dummy sea target. Minesweepers of division headed by Capt 2 rank Gennady Poddubny helped strike force to overcome minefields laid by the "opponent". Dubbed as sea plowers, they delicately escorted strike ships to the assigned area. At the same time ASW aircraft Il-38 flied over the firing zone and provided ships' missile-men with targeting data. 

Admiral Vinogradov is on the homeward run

Pacific Fleet task force consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, tanker Pechenga, and salvage tug SB-522 has recently finished its anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and heads for home coast. The task force is headed by Capt 2 rank Ivan Kovalev. 

Throughout 4 months of anti-piracy watch in the Gulf of Aden, Russian task force has escorted 14 commercial convoys. 

Large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov carried out scheduled call at Seychelles' capital city Victoria in March 4-7 under the Pacific Fleet's international activities program. During the 4-day visit Russian mariners paid visits to Russian ambassador in Seychelles, city authorities, and local military command. Besides, the warship was visited by Russian diplomats and diaspora. 

India, Russia to hold joint naval exercise

MOSCOW (PTI): A group of Indian warships arrived in Vladivostok, the main Russian Pacific Fleet base on Monday, to begin drills with the Russian Navy after exercises with the US Navy.

Three Indian warships INS Ranvir and Ranvijay, missile destroyers and indigenous Frigate INS Delhi, a Kirch Corvette and the tanker Jyoti docked at the famous Russian far eastern port, Itar-Tass reported.

The warships from the Eastern Fleet are commanded by Rear Admiral Bisht will hold sea-manoeuvres with the Russian Navy's massive anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributz.

Russian Navy plans to reassign cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Pacific Fleet

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian Navy is planning to reassign its missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov from Northern Fleet to Pacific Fleet, a media report said.

Currently, the cruiser is preparing for medium repairs in Northern fleet.

"In two years, the cruiser may be transferred from Severomorsk to Vladivostok to reinforce the grouping of the Pacific Fleet's surface ships," RIA Novosti quoted a Russian Navy admiral as saying.

Russian warship escorts two foreign vessels across the Gulf of Aden

Pacific Fleet (PF) task force participating in the international anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden started escorting 11th convoy on Wednesday, reported RIA Novosti referring to a spokesman for Russian Navy. 

The fifth PF task force consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, sea-going salvage tug SB-522, and tanker Pechenga arrived from Vladivostok to the Gulf of Aden on Dec 22, 2010. Admiral Vinogradov has two deck-based helicopters providing permanent aerial reconnaissance. Each ship is reinforced with PF marine units which had passed special training prior to the mission. 

Pacific Fleet mariners got national awards

Pacific Fleet (PF) acting commander Rear Admiral Sergei Avakiants gave out national awards to subordinate servicemen. 

By presidential decree, Capt Lt Alexei Konoplev, motion department officer was awarded with the Order of Courage for bravery and valor displayed while fire extinguishing at PF destroyer Bystry. Seaman Pavel Osetrov, motion department operator received the Gallantry Medal. 

Previously, Seaman Aldar Tsydenzhapov was posthumously titled the Hero of the Russian Federation for heroism displayed during the accident at Bystry. President Medvedev handed over the Hero's golden star to parents of died crewmember. 

Other courageous participants of the accident were also distinguished with high national awards today.

Pacific Fleet will celebrate the Submariners' Day

On March 19 there will be a 105th anniversary of Russian submarine force. Festive events will take place in all Pacific Fleet's (PF) submarine bases. 

They will start at 8 am (local time) with solemn hoisting ceremony of ensigns and dressing flags, parades in PF submarine units, and honoring of heroic submariners. 

At 11 am a wreath-laying ceremony will take place in Vladivostok at the Pacific Fleet Battle Glory Memorial.

Then it will be a festive meeting held in PF Officers' Club. It is planned to award distinguished personnel and conduct a concert. 

All Pacific Fleet ships sheltered from tsunami in bases

A tsunami moving from Japan towards Russian coast does not threat to Pacific Fleet (PF) warships which sheltered in harbors of Peter the Great Bay and Ussuri Bay, reported Friday RIA Novosti referring to a spokesman for Pacific Fleet.

Magnitude of earthquake hit Japan on Friday was grade 8.8; earth tremors still go on in Tokyo. According to US Geological Survey, earthquake focus was located 382 km northeastward Tokyo; seismic center was at a depth of 10 km underground. 

Large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov finished the visit to Seychelles

Pacific Fleet (PF) large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov attending the international anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden had finished official call at Victoria, capital of Seychelles, reportedRIA Novosti referring to Capt 1 rank Roman Martov, PF Commander's press secretary. 

Now Admiral Vinogradov is heading for the Horn of Africa to continue escorting multinational convoys. 

Leading the fifth PF task force, large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov arrived to the Gulf of Aden from Vladivostok on Dec 22, 2010 to fight piracy. The unit had escorted more than 10 commercial convoys. All of them had been successfully finished. 

Large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov called at Seychelles' capital

Pacific Fleet (PF) large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov paid an official call at Seychelles' capital, port of Victoria on Friday, reported RIA Novosti referring to Russian Navy's spokesman. 

"During the 3-day stay in Seychelles the ship will replenish water and food supplies; the crew will have an opportunity to rest ashore", he said. 

The Navy's official said that on March 7 after the official visit Admiral Vinogradov would return to the Gulf of Aden for further conducting of patrols and anti-piracy activities. 

Domodedovo's suicide bomber used to serve at Pacific Fleet

Suicide bomber Magomed Yevloyev who exploded a bomb in Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow, used to serve at Pacific Fleet (PF), reports Kommersant on Thursday referring to a source in law enforcement agencies of Primorsky Krai. 

According to the interviewee, Yevloyev passed training period at 165th marine regiment, and was posted to Smolianiniovo, Primorsk flotilla, PF. Yevloyev had served 3 months near Vladivostok and then being on leave in Ingushetia he was dismissed from service allegedly due to aggravation of infantile head injury. 

As for the source, Yevloyev was identified as a Domodedovo suicide bomber with the help of X-ray photographs of his paranasal sinus made during his service in PF. Reportedly, Yevloyev had sinusitis when he served in Far East. 

Pacific Fleet aircraft searches the lost trawler

Pacific Fleet (PF) aircraft left for Kamchatka in Wednesday morning to take part in search operation of 23-manned fishing trawler Ametistlost 4 days ago in the Sea of Okhotsk, reports RIA Novosti referring to PF Press Service. 

Trawler Ametist which belongs to Kamchatka Research Institute of Fishery and Oceanography was crabbing in the Sea of Okhotsk. Radio contact with the 23-man crewed vessel was lost on Feb 11. At that time there was about 12 tons of fuel on board the trawler; average daily consumption is 3 tons. The search operation was suspended on Monday due to stormy wind, low visibility, and ice accretion. Eighteen vessels were involved in the search operation on Tuesday in Shelekhov Bay where the ship possibly lost. The operation is held within the area of 120 x 140 miles westward Kamchatka and coordinated by patrol shipAnadyr.