U.S. Navy ships await wargames

JAKARTA (JP): Three U.S. Navy warships and a tanker moored at Tanjung Priok harbor yesterday.

The USS George Philip, USS Mahlon S Tisarle (frigate), USS German Town (landing ship tank) and the USS Yubon (tanker ship) are in North Jakarta in preparation for war games with the Indonesian Navy.

The Naval Base II office at Tanjung Priok announced that the ships, with 1,100 personnel, are here for the Indonesian Navy's Indosa 96 exercises, Antara reported.

The exercises have been underway since May 15 and will last until May 30.

During the war games with the U.S. ships, the Indonesian Navy will deploy its warships KRI Ki Hajar Dewantara, KRI Fatahilah, KRI Malahayati and KRI Achmad Yani.

The war games will take place in several places throughout the archipelago, including the Java and Bali Seas, the South China Sea, at Tanjungpinang in Sumatra and in Jakarta Bay.

Commodore Porreal, who commands the U.S. Navy ships, is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on several local officials, including North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito. (sur)