Surabaya, E. Java (ANTARA News) - USS Guardian-5 is currently in Surabaya, East Java, for a joint exercise on mine sweep program with the ranks of the Indonesian Eastern Fleet Command.

The arrival of the US warship was welcomed at the Gapura Surya pier here on Tuesday by the operations assistant of the Navy Main Base V, Col. Maman Firmansyah.

Also welcoming the ship`s arrival were the commander of the Sea Security Unit of the Navy Main Base V, Lt Col Eko Widiyantho, the chief of the navy port service, Lt Col Didik Dhuwijantoko, and the chief of the intelligence team, Lt Col Yudhi Mardhiyono.

"The US warship plans to be in Surabaya until May 16. The mine sweep joint exercise program meanwhile will also involve mine sweeping ships of the Eastern Fleet," Col Maman Firmansyah said.

Besides conducting a joint exercise the US ship`s commander and crew had also planned to conduct a series of activities while in the port city including meeting with the Eastern Fleet commander Rear Admiral Bambang Suwarto and the chief of the Navy main Base V, Commodore M Atok Urrahman.

They also planned to pay a courtesy call on Surabaya mayor Tri Rismaharini, hold a seminar, an open ship and friendly matches.

The USS Guardian-5 was made in 1985 as an anti-mine warship measuring 68 meters long and 12 meters wide and has a speed of up to 14 knots.

USS Guardian-5 is under the command of Lieutenant Commander Kenneth R Brown and carries 81 crew on board including six officers and 75 members.(*)

(H-YH/HAJM/B003)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
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