Warships of six states start exercise in South China Sea - Pacific Fleet
Warships of Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Australia and the Philippines are engaged in the first stage of the Komodo 2014 multilateral exercises in the South China Sea, Russian Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov said on Monday.
"Russian ships together with multinational forces will practice a search-and-rescue operation, communication and helicopter support. The drill engages warships and vessels of Russia, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and the Philippines," Martov said.
Forces involved in the search-and-rescue exercise assembled near the Natuna Islands on Monday morning.
The simulated distress site is marked with smoke, which the forces are supposed to find rapidly.
Rescue helicopters will practice next.
Helicopters stationed aboard the Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov, the Indonesian frigate Yos Sudarso and the Japanese destroyer Akebono will land on each other's decks to deliver rescue teams on March 31.
There will be communication exercises and an exchange of flash signals at night, the fleet spokesman said.
The exercises will continue off the Natuna Islands on April 1.
Sailors of several Asia-Pacific countries will practice evacuation of tsunami victims by helicopter.
Earlier reports said that a Pacific Fleet unit comprised of the destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov, the tanker Irkut and the rescue boat Alatau led by deputy commander of the Primorsky combined forces unit Rear Admiral Vladimir Dmitriyev departed from Vladivostok in mid-March.
Komodo-2014 will end on April 3.
Voice of Russia, Interfax
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