ISLAMABAD, 5 September 2006 — Thousands of US and Pakistani naval forces began a series of military and counterterrorism exercises yesterday in the northern Arabian Sea, the American and Pakistani navies said.
The main purpose of the exercises is to foster maritime cooperation and increase liaison in fighting terrorism. The exercises will be conducted in three phases, a Pakistan Navy spokesman here said.
The exercises, dubbed “Inspired Union 06,” will last until Sept. 21 and involve the USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier Strike Group and four Pakistani vessels, said Lt. Denise Garcia, of the Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet.
The Enterprise carrier group includes the guided missile frigate USS Nicholas, guided missile destroyer USS McFaul and attack submarine USS Albuquerque. The maneuvers will focus on counterterrorism exercises and also involve special forces troops from both nations, said Capt. Siddiq Akbar, a Pakistani Navy officer.
“These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material,” Garcia told The Associated Press.
Exercises will include amphibious operations, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, air defense, electronic warfare, explosive ordnance disposal and command and control, Garcia said.
