In a few weeks, thanks to the Russian Navy and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, San Francisco will get to re-live it’s naval heyday.
The unprecedented set of visits means San Francisco will be host to the largest naval concentration in years…It’s probably going to be bigger than annual U.S. Fleet Week!
I do hope that San Francisco rousts out a few Coast Guard vessels and stages an impromptu naval parade through the harbor. It would be the polite thing to do. Here’s the news:
The guided missile cruiser Varyag left Vladivostok on June 4 bound for San Francisco and will arrive on June 20 for a five-day stay.
The cruiser sailed in company with the Russian navy tanker Boris Butoma and the salvage tug Fotiy Krylov. It was not clear whether these two ships will accompany the Varyag to San Francisco…
…June 20 will be a busy day on the San Francisco waterfront. Three Japanese Self-Defense Force vessels, all warships, are expected that day. If all six vessels arrive that day, it will be the largest number of foreign warships to call at San Francisco in many years.
The Japanese naval contingent (MSDF Kashima, MSDF Yamagiri and MSDF Sawayuki) will be hosting visitors on the 21st.
But, for all intents and purposes, this visit is unprecedented and merits wider media coverage.
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thanks for the tour day info!!! will try to board the Japanese ship manana, and will be among the first in line on Thursday for the russian ship(s). wow!! how cool is this? and in San Francisco!!!!
According to an SF Chronicle article on 6/22, “Members of the public can tour the Varyag from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.”
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/22/BAVP1E2O3N.DTL#ixzz0rmPHvAN7
How can I find info on visiting the ship?
Try thursday. That is when the ship will be open to the public
My son said Varyag is already in SF. Anybody knows if they provide free tours?
Jon ~
I wonder if possible to tour the Japanese and Russian ships with you. It would be an honor to see these ships through your eyes or at least while hearing your reaction to aspects of each ship and nation’s defenses.
My name is Jonathan B, civilian. My father was a vet and worked for the Pentagon as a communications expert and designer. It would be an honor to meet and tour any or all of these ships with you. Please advise.
Respectfully,
Jonathan B
Well, Jon, with the arrival of the Japanese Training Squadron, you missed a great event here in San Francisco. It’s great to see a Navy that is engaged and excited–and I don’t think anybody can begrudge the enthusiasm a bunch of naval cadets express as they begin a globe-spanning cruise.
The JMSDF deserves congratulations for a job well done, and I hope they enjoy themselves–and this city–over the week ahead.
And then, of course, the Russians cruised into the bay. Never thought I’d see the day, but…they sure know (knew?) how to build great-looking ships, I gotta tell ya….
Will tell you more later!
this is an act of war.they should all be detained as spys.our constitution bans this type of threat.i dot trust the russians or japanese(remember pearl harbour).russia is an evil country and is not our friend.i for one will tell them to go home they are not welcome in my country under arms.maybe when we throw out these gutless sell out democrats and republicans we wont have to let foriegn military violate our soveriegn territory.i am a vet of the us navy and SAY GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE YOU ARE AN UNWELCOME INVADER.
The 3 Japanese ships just arrived in the bay (June 19 @ 1200), no Coast Guard fanfare, but those of us on the Blue & Gold fleet gave ’em a hardy wave “hello,” which was enthusiastically returned by all aboard the naval vessels! Very cool!
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