The Ticonderoga class cruiser of US Navy CG-72 USS Vella Gulf started her port visit in Sevastopol on 26th January 2012. The US cruiser will stay in Ukraine till 1st February 2012 and will make a second port visit in Odessa.
According to Ukraine Armed Forces web site the US ship Vella Gulf, the Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sagaidachny, the Center Search And Rescue Operations Naval Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian and American sailors will participate in several joint tactical exercises and training aimed at the further training of crews to fight against piracy at sea.
In particular, the planned joint exercises with naval tactics, training and employment of communication, practical training of the crew and members of the American ship Navy of Ukraine on the use of equipment for combat survivability. In addition, Ukrainian and Americans share their experience of medical support, organization of physical training on Navy ships, including the organization of physical training during a single voyage ship. There’s also on joint training at sea involving ships and aircraft Naval Forces of Ukraine.
Acting Commander of Naval Forces of Ukraine expressed confidence that while the American ship in Sevastopol on the sailors of the two countries forward to close cooperation.
– Carrying out the planned measures will further prepare the sailors to participate in anti-terrorist operations and operations to combat piracy at sea. Useful for both sides will and tactical training at sea involving a ship U.S. Navy ship and aircraft and Naval Forces of Ukraine, – he stressed.
Captain 1st rank Mark Herris, in turn, thanked the Ukrainian seamen for the warm welcome. He also stressed the intense program of the visit, which will contribute to deepening the bilateral cooperation.– The ship is taking place appropriate measures to prepare for joint exercises and training with the Ukrainian sailors, and I’m sure they will be high. We will also be very interesting to carry out jointly with Ukrainian colleagues tactical training directly into the sea, – the commander of the American ship. The officer added that the crew of the ship are very welcome the opportunity to meet with the city of Sevastopol.
The US cruiser’s visit to Sevastopol was not welcomed by everyone however. About 50 people protested against the visit.
There were about 50 protesters chanting “Yankee, go home!” and “No to NATO!”, reported RIA Novosti today (January 26).
Yehven Dubovik, a protest organizer, told the visit was illegal because the Ukraine’s parliament had not authorized it.
“Nevertheless, a warship has called here that has offensive weapons on board and it is not ruled out that if it receives orders it will deliver a strike on Iran in close proximity to our coast,”Dubovik said.
“Thus Ukraine, a state not affiliated with any military blocs, may automatically become involved in an international conflict.”
The US flag, featuring Nazi swastika instead of stars, was burned by protesters.
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