U.S. Kicks Off Participation in FRUKUS 2009

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Rosa Larson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Maritime forces from four countries began participation in annual exercise "FRUKUS" in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Brest, France, June 19.

FRUKUS, which stands for the participating countries – France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – is a naval exercise focusing on strengthening maritime partnerships and improving interoperability and overall communication between the nations.

Exercise FRUKUS is broken into two segments, in port and at sea.

In port, Sailors will participate in training for communications and maritime interdiction operations and maritime coordination ashore, while senior leadership will focus on topics including maritime security, fleet modernization and international, submarine rescue.

At sea, the exercise will be driven by a scenario that supports Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), the interoperability between forces afloat and maritime interdiction [law-enforcement] operations.

"During this exercise, Sailors will get underway and become familiar with the other navies' operating procedures and practices," said Cmdr. Scott Smith, commanding officer of USS Klakring (FFG 42). "When they meet in the future to conduct combined peacekeeping or humanitarian operations, or to counter trafficking in drugs, weapons, or persons in this region, they will be better able to work together."

In the wake of last year's Russia-Georgia crisis, the United States cancelled FRUKUS 2008 participation as a part of its broader suspension of military-to-military activities with the Russian Federation.

FRUKUS was created in 2003 to aid in talks between France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Sponsorship rotates between the four navies with the lead nation traditionally providing a blend of professional and cultural activities. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Participating U.S. forces include USS Klakring and staff for the Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet .

Russian Navy deploys for Exercise FRUKUS-2009

Following extract taken from the Russian Ministry of Defence website, date of extract 10 June 2009. Translated by "Old Crow."

Large AS ship of the Northern Fleet, Severomorsk has departed to participate in Exercise FRUKUS-2009.

Today, the Large Anti Submarine Ship of the Northern Fleet, Severomorsk left the fleet's main naval base and has put to sea. She set sail for the shores of France in order to participate in the multinational maritime exercises "FRUKUS-2009", which will take place during the period 22-26 June.

FRUKUS is an annual event involving the maritime forces of France, Great Britain, the United States and Russia. The current training will take place in the North-East Atlantic in the approaches to the French naval base of Brest. The scenario for the exercise will be directed against Piracy in the coastal area. The main mission of the exercise will be to develop and formulate joint activities within the context of multinational operational formation.

In addition to the Russian warship, the French destroyer "Tourville", the USN destroyer "Klakring"(sic), the RN destroyer "Duke of York" and NATO naval aviation assets will take part.