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U.S., Pakistan Forces Complete Exercise Inspired Union 2008

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080521-26
Release Date: 5/21/2008 5:19:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS ROSS, At Sea (NNS) -- Pakistan and U.S. Naval forces completed Exercise Inspired Union 2008 in the North Arabian Sea May 21, which focused on air, surface and anti-submarine training, as part of regional Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

Pakistani forces including PNS Badr (D 184), PNS Shahjahan (D 186), PNS Nasr (A-47) and Pakistan Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal participated in the bilateral exercise along with Sailors from USS Curts (FFG 38) and USS Ross (DDG 71). Other U.S. forces participating included Destroyer Squadron 50 and Combined Task Forces 54, 55 and 57.

"This exercise allowed the U.S. and the Pakistani Navy to demonstrate and improve our interoperability in a variety of warfare areas," explained Capt. Paul Severs, commander, Destroyer Squadron 50. "Inspired Union focused on surface warfare, air defense, visit, board, search and seizure operations and ended with a final event using all warfare areas."

Pakistan is an integral member of the coalition and has commanded Combined Task Force 150 twice, most recently from November 2007 through February 2008. Coalition Maritime Forces (CMF) regularly operate throughout international waters in the North Arabian Sea to conduct MSO.

"It was a very successful exercise," said Severs. "From the planning conferences to the pre-sail seminars and the at sea-events, the exercise was well coordinated. Inspired Union also allowed Sailors from both navies to participate in professional exchanges to understand how different Coalition ships operate at sea."

Severs noted it was the bilateral cooperation that was key to the exercise's success.

The exercise also provided an opportunity for Curts to visit Karachi during a three-day port visit. The visit offered the crew an opportunity to plan for Inspired Union, conduct cultural exchanges and engage in sporting events with their Pakistani Navy counterparts.

"This is the first visit by a U.S. ship to Karachi since September 2006 and we are grateful for the opportunity to visit Pakistan," said Cmdr.
Yvette Davids, Curts' commanding officer. "Visits by U.S. Navy ships symbolize the continued friendship and partnerships between countries and military services - it allows us to increase our cooperative engagement and exemplifies our commitment to building trust and confidence among friends worldwide."

MSO help develop security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attach or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Curts, homeported in San Diego, Calif., is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. USS Ross, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is part of the USS Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group. Both are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting operations that are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.