Kalistani Major History

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Kalistan welcomes the opportunity to conduct naval exercises with Lourenne
"Friendship is key to Anantonese security," says Defense Minister Bradley
Kaliburg, Ananto
September 20, 5322


Ontiveros Class KRS-720 "Winifred" deploys in the Lourenne Channel east of Ananto during exercises with Lourenne

The Kalistani Regular Navy received a surprise invitation to participate with its neighbor, The United Kingdom of Lourenne in a series of naval exercises over the last two weeks. This training follows up Kalistan's major training exercises at Bozo River during the month of August.

"We were informed that Lourenne was going to be operating in the seas between Ananto and Mainland Dovani and were invited to participate," said Defense Minister Colonel Heather Y Bradley, of the Regular Forces. "Of course we said yes to the opportunity to practice naval tactics with the world's premier navy. Kalistan not only got to practice naval offensive and defensive doctrine, but due to the surprise invitation, we also got to practice 48 and 24 hour alert drills as we got underweigh. We feel that this sort of opportunity is a sign of a deep and abiding friendship between our two nations, and it is that Friendship which is key to the security of the Anantonese Ocean."

Colonel Bradley described the drills: The exercises involved the 1st Fleet, stationed at Bozo River, which is the closest thing to a forward base, and works with the Second Fleet to patrol our part of the Anantonese Ocean north of Kalistan. The 1st Fleet deployed to international waters to rendezvous with elements of the 1st Fleet of the Royal Navy, and after a brief conference, proceeded to conduct wargames which pitted the smaller 1st Kalistani Regulars against the Lourennais Navy.

"We practiced quick drills, anti-submarine warfare, and surface to air combat. The Lourennais have excellent practice dummy fighters that they utilized to allow us to practice live fire, and meanwhile, they got the opportunity to practice against some of our irregular tactics at sea, including repelling interdiction and boarding efforts by pirates. The games were fraternal, and fleet captains even coordinated a night for enlisted fraternization aboard both Kalistani and Lourennais Corvettes each."

The Colonel admitted that Lourenne won the wargames: "This time," she said with a smile. "They are clearly technologically advanced and our Naval units are reformed and quite green. We made a lot of mistakes, but the thing is, we can see this as a learning opportunity, and hone our skills." The Kalistani Minister bragged a little though too, in true Republican Fashion. "I think the Lourennais also learned something from us too: Some of the people they meet in a combat situation will certainly not do things 'by the book' and that can put a snag in a carefully laid plan. Hopefully they took away the lesson that being nimble in the water and flexible in the planning room will provide them more of an opportunity to meet and positively encounter a lot of different kinds of challenges at sea. I believe we both learned from each other."

The exercise ended and both navies returned to port, with the Kalistani Flagship, Destroyer KRS-685 Bennots saluting the Lourennais Navy before disengaging and the Lourennais Flagship answering the salute with a battery of its own. Col. Bradley said she looks forward to the Next opportunity to train with Kalistan's next door neighbor. "This experience has only been positive for Kalistan."