Pak, US holding joint naval exercises

Islamabad—US and Pakistani Naval forces are conducting bilateral exercises code named “INSPIRED UNION” in the North Arabian Sea from 11 to 21 May 2008.
The exercise is yearly feature meant to enhance interoperability between the two Naval Forces and improve security in maritime domain. The exercise has been divided in harbour and sea phases.
The sea phase will include serials designed to refine war fighting tactics, practice Command and Control and fight asymmetric threats. Two surface ships USS CURTS and USS ROSS and a submarine USS NORFOLK are participating in the exercise from US side. From Pakistan side PNS SHAHJAHAN and PNS BADR are participating along with oil tanker PNS NASR. Maritime Patrol Aircraft, helicopters and Corvettes of Maritime Security Agency are also part of exercise. Concurrently, Special Operations Forces (SOF) of both the navies are also conducting exercise code named “INSPIRED RESPONSE”. The focus of SOF exercises are explosive Ordnance Disposal, demolition and deep sea diving.

—Agencies