TEHRAN, April 10, YJC - Iran and Oman successfully staged rescue drill in Indian Ocean on Monday.
TEHRAN,
Young Journalists Club (YJC) -A number of units of Iranian Army strategic naval forces took part in the drill.
The Iranian Navy's Second-in-Command Rear Admiral Seyyed Mahmoud Mousavi announced launch of the joint naval exercise between the two countries, saying "Army's Navy fleet, after mooring at Muscat port of holding coordination sessions with the Omani Navy, was deployed to predefined locations in northern parts of the Indian Ocean in order to carry out a joint rescue operation.”
He said naval rescue, changing array maneuver, trade convoy and oil tanker escort, refueling in sea and communications exchanges were carried out in the drill.
Specialized naval rescue practices including, fast response operations in unexpected naval events, rescuing fleet and saving injured personnel were the main parts of the naval practice, he added.
Rear Admiral Mousavi said given the proximity of Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman to the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman as well as responsibility of both countries to carry out rescue operations and assistance to merchant ships and oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a joint rescue operation replica of held every year in order to align efforts and properly exploit capabilities of Iranian and Omani naval forces in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean.
"The naval drill also aims at strengthening friendly and constructive relations between Iran and Oman in all dimensions, maritime sector in particular,” underscored Iran’s Navy deputy commander asserting "the exercise takes place annually and alternatively in Iran and Oman and the present edition was hosted by the Sultanate of Oman.”
Iranian Army Navy’s fleet comprising Sabalan destroyer, logistics and helicopter-career ship Lavan, D3SH type helicopter, and missile-launcher Falakhan destroyer with a personnel of 1000 people set off for Oman on Sunday with plans to jointly hold a marine rescue operation replica with Omani Navy.