Indonesian-lead exercise Komodo 16 concludes

The Indonesian-hosted international naval exercise Komodo 2016 concluded on April 16 as the ships concluded the sea phase of the exercise.

The sea phase lasted for 5 days in waters off Padang and Mentawai, Indonesia.

It comprised maritime peace keeping and HA/DR operations and exercise series such as Photoex, Boardex, Winchex and anchoring in Sipora water among many other.

Despite recent disputes and run-ins between the U.S. Navy, China and Russia, all three navies attended the exercise.

China deployed two vessels, Type 054A Guided missile frigate Weifang and rescue vessel Changxingdao to the exercise while Russia sent three Pacific Fleet ships, ADM Vinogradof DDG-572, RNS Boris Butoma and RNS Fotiy Krylof.

U.S. assets and personnel participating in Komodo 2016 included staff from Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7, Sailors from USS Stockdale and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2016 kicked off in Padang, Indonesia, April 12, with an opening ceremony and arrival of navy ships from 35 nations in the city’s harbor for an international fleet review.