Photo by Zhao Yang at the ceremony site
On the morning of May 17, the Navy's 45th escort squadron, composed of the missile destroyer Urumqi, the missile frigate Linyi, and the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu, returned to a military port in Qingdao after a voyage of 249 days and nights and more than 50,000 nautical miles.
Photo by Wang Yuanfang
At about 9 o'clock in the morning, the navy of the Northern Theater held a solemn ceremony at the pier to welcome the triumphant departure of the formation. The ships stationed at the military port hoisted the welcome flag, and the Linyi, Dongpinghu, and Urumqi warships in formation hoisted the Daiman flag and the flag of thanks, accompanied by the high-spirited "Welcome March", and slowly berthed at the pier in turn.
The officers and men of the escort who returned with honors were in good spirits and lined up neatly on the deck to greet the officers and men and their families who had come to welcome them. After the ship was berthed, the commander of the formation reported to the naval leaders of the Northern Theater, who expressed sincere greetings and warm congratulations to all the officers and men of the formation, and fully affirmed the officers and men of the formation for their solidarity in the same boat, fighting the wind and waves, and successfully accomplishing all tasks.
Photo by Wang Yuanfang
Since its launch on September 12 last year, all the officers and men of the 45th batch of escort squadrons have kept in mind the expectations and trust of the party and the people, and have been full of ambition and pride in "building a big navy and a big navy", cleaving the waves and fighting continuously, successfully completing the escort missions of 43 batches of 72 Chinese and foreign ships and the joint exercises of China-Pakistan "Ocean Guardian-3" and China-Iran-Russia "Security Bond-2024", continuing the deep blue chapter of the People's Navy's loyal mission and pursuing the dream of strengthening the army, demonstrating China's image as a responsible major country and effectively safeguarding the mainland's overseas interests.
Subsequently, the formation lasted 38 days, sailed more than 6,500 nautical miles, and successfully paid friendly visits to Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles and other four East African countries. During the visit, the officers and men of the formation gave an in-depth introduction to the escort results, publicized the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, and used practical actions to tell China's story, convey friendship and express good wishes, fully demonstrating the good image of the officers and men of the Navy in the new era of openness, self-confidence and hard work. From May 2nd to 5th, the technical formation docked in Port Klang, Malaysia, for a four-day rest and replenishment.
The officers and men of the escort took a group photo with their families by Liu Zaiyao
Leaders of the Navy of the Northern Theater of Operations, leaders of Qingdao City, leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, leaders of the city named the mission ship, representatives of the officers and soldiers of the mission force, and some family members of the officers and soldiers of the escort attended the ceremony. (Qingdao Daily/Guanhai News reporter Yu Bo)