The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer “USS Farragut”, the Russian Northern Fleet’s destroyer “Admiral Chabaneko” and the Norwegian coast guard vessel “KV Andenes” will be under Russian command during the final stage of the exercise, as the parties to the war games take turns in commanding the vessels, the Russian Defense Ministry’s web site reads.
The participants will be training search and rescue operations in Arctic waters, transshipment of cargo between the vessels by helicopter and air defense drills with participation of Russian Su-33 and Il-38 planes.
The exercise has so far been very successful, according to the ministry. The drills have focused on anti-terror and anti-piracy operations and rescue operations.
“Northern Eagle 2012” will be concluded in the Northern Fleet’s main base of Severomorsk tomorrow. The foreign vessels will stay in the Russian port until August 27.
“Northern Eagle” was held for the first time in 2004, then as a bilateral naval exercise with participation from the U.S. and Russia. The exercise is normally held every second year. Norway was invited to participate in 2008, and since there was no exercise in 2010, this is the second exercise with Norwegian contribution.
