VLADIVOSTOK, September 28 (RIA Novosti) - The joint Russian-U.S. naval exercise Pacific Eagle 2007 started on Friday in the Amur Gulf, near Vladivostok, the Pacific Fleet press office announced.

The exercise will include mine-sweeping and anti-submarine operations, the mock interception of a vessel trespassing in territorial waters and a sea-rescue operation, said a spokesman.

The USS Lassen (DDG 82), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer; and the USS Patriot (MCM 7), a minesweeper, will participate in the drill.

Russia is represented by the Admiral Panteleyev, an Udaloy-class destroyer, a BT-100 minesweeper, a GS-84 survey vessel, and a RB-326 towboat.

The exercise, which is to run until September 30, will be followed by a memorial ceremony in honor of the crews of two submarines - the Soviet L-19 and the American Wahoo - killed in WWII.

The naval exercise is the third meeting of American and Russian sailors this year.