WAR.WIRE
US, Russian warships drill together in North Sea
 WASHINGTON (AFP) Sep 28, 2004
 US and Russian warships Tuesday began a weeklong naval exercise in the North Sea, the first ever between the US Navy and Russia's Northern Fleet, the US Navy said.

The guided missile cruiser USS Hue City and two SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopters were taking part in the drills with two Russian surface combatant ships, and two KA-27 helicopters, a navy official said.

The aim is to practice working together in areas such as force protection, damage control, search and rescue missions, choke point transit and maritime interdiction, the navy said.