US ship crew highly impressed with IFR

Say India has reached global standards in naval capabilities

Visakhapatnam: The officers and the crew members of US Antietam warship were highly impressed with the way the Indian Navy conducted International Fleet Review and said India had reached global standards in naval capabilities.

Charming and smiling crew members told the visiting reporters in Bay of Bengal that the days’ conventional warfare was over and now they were shaking hands with crew members of unknown ships in the mid sea. “Earlier we were firing at the very sight of a foreign ship and now we are extending our arms to foster friendship and brotherhood,” they said.

For the first time, the US Navy personnel said, they were exchanging pleasantries with foreign warship crews even asking and talking about each other's families instead of policy matters and the capabilities of other various ships. Speaking to the media personnel, Commanding officer of US Antietam, Michael McCarthy, said IFR was a world-class event with best standards maintained in every aspect.

“IFR has given us best opportunity to meet and get to know commanding officers of other navies. We have been able to meet officers from Britain, France, China among others. The sailors have enjoyed the visit and meeting people of the Vizag, the beautiful coastal city in India,” he added.

The 29-year-old ship Antietam is around 173 mts length. The 10,000-tonne cruiser protects aircraft carrier with a crew of 375. With guided missiles and rapid-fire guns, the ship is capable of facing and defeating threat in the air on the sea, on the shore and beneath the sea.

Two US Navy warships took part in the IFR. Chief engineer of the Antietam- CG-54, Reeves Thurman, said Indian Navy has been adopting latest technology on par with the other top Navies in the globe. But, US Navy crew was much trained and well equipped than other Navies.