Chennai:
US warship USS McCampbell, an Arleigh Burke Class
Destroyer, will be conducting sea exercises with Indian Navy warships from
November 7, according to Desron 15, Destroyer Squadron Commodore captain Paul
Lyons.
Addressing
a press conference onboard along with commanding officer of USS McCampbell,
Sharif Calfee and US consul general Jennifer McIntyre here on Monday, Lyons
said that the exercise is a bilateral naval field training exercise and
represent an important opportunity to promote peace and stability besides
demonstrate commitment to regional partners.
He
welcomed India getting $2.33 billion Russian-made aircraft carrier on November
16 and said it will also help further strengthen the ties between the navies of
US and India.
Jennifer
McIntyre said that Malabar 2013 is the continuing series of exercises to
advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues between
US and India. “These ship visits not only provide US sailors an opportunity to
engage with Indian Navy counterparts but also one for cultural exchange,” she
added.
She
said the crew would spend some time ashore over the next few days which will
provide them an opportunity to meet the citizens of Chennai and learn more
about the rich culture of south India as well as participate in several
community service projects in partnership with local organizations.
USS
McCampbell is also part of Desron Fifteen, the US Navy’s only forward deployed
Destroyer Squadron which is responsible for readiness, tactical and
administrative responsibilities of seven Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers.
The
ship, which was commissioned in US Navy on August 2002, is on its first maiden
visit to Chennai Port on November 3. It will be stationed in Chennai for the
next couple of days before embarking for the naval exercises, said commander
Calfee.
He
said the crew would also be visiting shrines in the city and also a city
school. “We will also be playing a cricket match with the Indian Navy,” said
Calfee.
Interestingly,
it is the first visit of the crew to India and many are keen to explore
Chennai, said Calfee. “This is the first time we are away from Pacific Ocean,”
he said adding that the crew is a mix of the 50 states of United States. ‘We
also have people from a dozen nations and 21 per cent of the total crew is
women,” he added.
Talking
about the peacetime international operations, Commander Calfee said the warship
played a key role in post Sendai earthquake in Japan besides recuing 15
Filipinos from the sea on 2012.
The
ship is equipped with air defence besides it Mark IV five inch gun could strike
a target within 12 nautical miles. It is also equipped with radars, air defence
system, missile launchers and torpedo tubes besides advanced tactical system
and a couple of helicopters.
The
US Navy personnel also took the visiting journalists to the ship’s bridge, the
room or platform from which the ship can be commanded. The room had digital
navigation system besides other technical features.
The
ship also had a dimly lit room known as Combat information system. “This place
is dimly lit in all the warship from 1920. It is from here the US navy
personnel plan air and surface strategies against the enemies. The control the
bridge operations also, said Calfee.
“From here we are also in touch with the other
ship and it helps perform the integrated operations,” he said
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