US, India hold naval drill

Indian Navy's Talwar-class frigate INS Tarkash sailed together with the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and a few other ships on Sunday.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) along with aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and the guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sampson (DDG 102), sailed in formation with INS Tarkash (F50).

The event was a naval greeting and training exercise between partner nations as Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) transitions from fighting the Islamic State, while in the Arabian Gulf, to operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations such as counter-piracy, freedom of navigation operations and training.

Warfare commanders from the US Navy ships and the Indian Navy ship practised working together and strengthened their crew's ship handling.

Exercises included drills in communications and navigating in several close formations, a press communique from US Consulate General-Mumbai said.

"This exercise offered a unique opportunity to further our capabilities to operate with and learn from one another," said Cmdr Allen Maxwell Jr, commanding officer of Preble.

"It's an excellent test for our watchstanders to exercise their flexibility as warfighters and to interact with foreign vessels in a tactical environment. Preble is dedicated to ensuring its ability to work together with our allies and partners and deal with common concerns such as disaster relief and safety of sea lanes," he added.

Additionally, 10 Indian sailors toured spaces aboard Preble such as combat information center, central control station and the bridge, while 10 Preble Sailors visited Tarkash.

While touring each other's ships for the afternoon, sailors had the chance to learn how they operate on a day-to-day basis and experience life at sea from a different perspective.

"The officers and crew of Tarkash were fantastic hosts and extremely welcoming to our group," said Ensign Adam B Campbell, a sailor assigned to Preble.

"It was very impressive that a cook staff of only five sailors could produce such a wide variety of delicious, fresh foods for a crew of 300 people three times a day," he added.