Russia and USA to hold Pacific Eagle drills

Russia and the USA will hold joint anti-terrorist naval drills in late October. The drills will take place near the Mariana Islands, officials representing the Russian Pacific Fleet said.

Photo: USS Fitzgerald

Russia and USA to hold Pacific Eagle drills. 45529.jpeg

During Pacific Eagle Exercise, Russian and US navies will simulate the liberation of a vessel seized by terrorists.

"The scenario of the upcoming Pacific Eagle anti-terrorism exercises was discussed in detail during the Fitzgerald's visit," Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov said, adding Russian will send Pacific Fleet vessels including the guided missile cruiser Varyag to the exercise, RIA Novosti reports.

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), named for Lieutenant William Charles Fitzgerald, USN (1938-1967) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was laid down by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine 9 February 1993; launched 29 January 1994; and commissioned 14 October 1995 in Newport, R.I. She was then homeported in Naval Station San Diego, CA.

The Mariana Islands (also the Marianas) are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east. They are south of Japan and north of New Guinea, and immediately to the east of the Philippine Sea. The south end of the Marianas chain is the island of Guam. The islands were named after Spanish Queen Mariana of Austria in the 17th century, when Spain started the colonization of the archipielago.