Arunta greeted with open arms

CMDR Warren Bairstow and the ship’s company of HMAS Arunta, are welcomed to Vladivostok, Russia with a bread of friendship to share between the two countries.

Photo: ABPH Karen Bailey

In a rare visit, HMAS Arunta has successfully completed a fiveday goodwill trip to Russia.

It was only the second time an Australian warship has visited Russia.

HMAS Sydney went there in 1995. CMDR Warren Bairstow and his ship’s company of 163 took Arunta into Vladivostok on October 15.

The Maritime Commander, RADM Rowan Moffitt flew in to join Arunta’s ship’s company in a round of official functions and ceremonies.

During the visit the Australians were formally met and welcomed by the Mayor of Vladivostok, Mr Vladimir Nikalayev and the commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, ADML Viktor Federov.

Arunta was welcomed by the CO of Arunta’s host ship, CMDR Anatoly Vislov.

On the second day of the visit, the Maritime Commander led a VIP tour of the ship, while that night the ship hosted a reception attended by 30 Australian consular guests and 60 Russian Navy guests.

Sunday, October 17 saw RADM Moffitt and 30 members of Arunta’s ship’s company led by CMDR Bairstow, attend the Memorial Complex “Military Glory of Pacific Navy” for the laying of a wreath.

The group moved on to the memorial to submarine “C-56”.

A luncheon on a Russian warship followed. Afterwards CMDR Bairstow took two teams of volleyball players and their supporters to the Russian Pacific Navy Institute for games against Russian sides.

Back at Pier 33 Arunta had been thrown open for visits by the public.

That night 80 Australians attended a concert at the Navy Officers Club. October 18 was a busy day with 20 officers and sailors working at the Russian orphanage, “Sails of Hope.”

Another group of Arunta members visited a Russian ship to talk to her sailors.

During the afternoon children from the Sails of Hope visited Arunta.

The final day in Vladivostok saw 20 officers and sailors go ashore for a formal farewell.


Then it was time to go with two tugs moving the Australian ship.

A Russian warship escorted her to the border of the territorial waters.

RADM Moffitt said the RAN was last in Vladivostok in 1995 when HMAS Sydney made a highly successful visit.

“That visit marked the beginning of cooperation between the Russian Pacific Fleet and the RAN,” he said.

.