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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST
Ensign Livy Coe shows documentation to members of the visit, board, search and seizure team from the Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) during an Exercise Malabar 2012 boarding exercise. Malabar is a scheduled naval training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues.

The 2012 edition of the annual Indo-US naval exercise codenamed Malabar will conclude on Monday.

The ten-day exercise saw the participation of frontline units from both navies. The focus areas of the exercise were boarding operations, air defence exercise, helicopter cross deck operations and co-ordinated anti-submarine warfare.

The US Navy was represented by ships from the Carrier Task Force 70 of the US 7th fleet, which is based at Yokosuka, Japan. The CTF included Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson, Guided Missile Cruiser USS Bunkerhill, Guided Missile Destroyer USS Halsey and logistics ship USNS Bridge. In addition, one Los Angeles Class submarine, USS Louisville and one P3C Orion Aircraft also participated in the exercise.

The Indian Navy was represented by the indigenously-built Guided Missile Frigate INS Satpura, Guided Missile Destroyers INS Ranvijay and INS Ranvir, Missile Corvette INS Kulish, and Fleet Tanker INS Shakti.

Rediff.com brings you glimpses of the joint exercise. Click on NEXT to see more PHOTOS...

Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An Indian naval officer observes operations in the combat information centre aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) during Malabar 2012.

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Sailors assigned to the the visit, board, search and seizure team from the Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) during an Exercise Malabar 2012 boarding exercise

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) visit, board, search and seizure team maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat during an Exercise Malabar 2012 boarding exercise

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Sailors assigned to the Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) visit, board, search and seizure team maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat during an Exercise Malabar 2012 boarding exercise

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

The Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvir (D54) leads the Kora-class corvette INS Kulish (P63) during a passing exercise in support of Malabar 2012

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Tactical Action Officer Lt Dan Mitzner, right, reviews an exercise scenario in the undersea warfare module in the combat direction center aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with Indian navy liaison officers Cmdr Ajay Daniel Theophilus, left, and Lt Cmdr Madhavdas Ravikant

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An Indian Navy Kamov Ka-31 helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) in support of Malabar 2012

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

The Indian Navy Kora-class corvette INS Kulish (P63), foreground, the guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvir (D54), center, and the fleet oiler INS Shakti (A57) transit the Indian Ocean during a passing exercise in support of Malabar 2012

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) stand in ranks as Indian Navy Ship Ranvijay (D-55) pulls alongside Halsey during a Malabar 2012 exercise

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

US Ambassador to India Peter Burleigh arrives through rainbow side boys on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 lands on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 refuels an EA-6B Prowler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 recovers aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Tactical Action Officer Lt Dan Mitzner, right, discusses Combat Direction Center operations with Indian Navy liaison officers Cmdr Ajay Daniel Theophilus, center, and Lt Cmdr Madhavdas Ravikant, left, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Indian Sailors assigned to the Visit, Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team aboard Indian Navy Ship Satpura (F-48) practice ship boarding techniques during a VBSS training exercise aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

From left; Ship's Gunner Lt Brian Hellmann supervises as Gunner's Mate Seaman Binh Chu fires a shot line to the Indian Navy replenishment oiler INS Shakti (A57), assisted by Gunner's Mate Seaman Carolyn Salcedo, and under the direction of Assistant First Lt JG Dustin Miller during a refueling-at-sea exercise aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the Indian Navy replenishment oiler INS Shakti (A57) conduct a refueling-at-sea exercise

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

The Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transit the Indian Ocean during Malabar 2012

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

A member of the Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) visit, board, search and seizure team boards the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of an exercise in Malabar 2012

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 flys by the the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Indian Navy Ship Satpura (F-48) transits the Indian Ocean alongside the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) (not pictured) during a Malabar 2012 exercise

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Adm Satish Soni of the Indian Navy and distinguished visitors from the Indian Navy arrive through rainbow side boys on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Ensign Timothy Eick briefs members of the Visit, Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team assigned to Indian Navy Ship Satpura (F-48) during a VBSS training exercise aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Sea Combat Tactical Action Officer Lt Cmdr. Matt Dillon, right, observes an exercise scenario with Indian navy liaison officer Lt Cmdr Madhavdas Ravikant, left, in the combat direction centre aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

An SH-60F Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15 hoists search and rescue swimmer Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class (NAC/AW) Nassor James near the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

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Electrician's Mate 1st Class Jessica Henry, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) spends time with a child at the Nirmala Sishu Bhavan Orphanage and home for special children in Chennai, during a community service project

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Ensign Anthony Eccleston gives a tour of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) to Indian residents in support of Malabar 2012

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

A sailor assigned to USS Carl Vinson (CVN) 70 shows pictures to children at St Thomas Catholic Church on a Morale, Welfare and Recreation tour of Chennai, India during the ship's port visit

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Wargames in the Indian Ocean

Last updated on: April 16, 2012 10:26 IST

Rear Adm Thomas K Shannon, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, and Indian Navy Rear Adm Harish Bisht, flag officer of Commanding Eastern Fleet, cut a ceremonial cake during a reception aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of Malabar 2012

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