Two Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, “Samidare DD-106” and “Umigiri DD-158”, arrived at the Port of Colombo on 12th November 2011 with the Commander, Escort Division Four, Captain Hideyuki Ooban onboard. The ships are returning from a counter piracy operation off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Arden.
” Samidare DD-106″ is a destroyer with a crew of 180 personnel onboard. The ship is 151 meters in length and has a displacement of 4,550 tons. It is commanded by Commander Hiroyuki Naitoh . ” Umigiri DD-158″, a destroyer with a length of 137meters and a displacement of 3,550 tons, is commanded by Commander Masahiro Sato . Its crew comprises of 190 personnel.
These ships will remain in Sri Lanka till 16th November and their crews are scheduled to take part in a series of special programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to strengthen the friendship and goodwill between the two Navies.
[mappress] Source: navy, November 14, 2011