Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet Rear Adm. George Ballance spoke at the final planning conference for Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15) aboard Naval Station Norfolk Feb. 5. Military, non-governmental agency planners and prospective participants in the upcoming CP-15 humani
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) pulls into Otaru, Japan, for a scheduled port visit. The ship, which is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, is currently on a routine patrol. The vessel recently engaged in bilateral training with the ROK Navy in waters around the
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) departed its forward deployed location of Yokosuka, Japan, for a routine patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, Feb. 3, following their successful completion of Training Availability (TRAV). The purpose of the TRAV is to v
The Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship, HMS Bulwark, has welcomed her new commanding officer. Captain Nick Cooke-Priest assumed command of the Plymouth-based amphibious assault ship from Captain Dean Bassett. He joins at a particularly intensive time as the ship prepares for the forthcoming period of opera
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit, Feb. 9, 2015. Cole’s presence in Romania reaffirms to NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthen ties while working toward mutual goals of promoting pea
The Commander of NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CB CBE, paid an official visit to the Swedish Navy on Thursday, February 5, to discuss the security situation in the Baltic Sea and areas of cooperation between NATO and the partner nation. During the visit, Vice Admir
Turkish Navy’s Corvette TCG Buyukada (F-512) joined NATO’s counter piracy Operation Ocean Shield on Friday, February 6. The ship will conduct regular counter piracy patrols in Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and provide support to NATO’s regional capacity building efforts in order to enhance interoper
US Navy’s USS Simpson (FFG 56), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate, engaged in counter-piracy operations, has taken the role of one of “the bad guys” during Exercise Cutlass Express 2015. Exercise Cutlass Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command, is designed to improve regional coo
The Danish government recently announced its new anti-piracy strategy. Covering a period from 2015 until 2018, this strategy sets the framework for Denmark’s overall political, developmental and military efforts against piracy. Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard said that Denmark will continue
Vigor Marine LLC has received a $9,9 million contract for 72-calendar day shipyard availability for the Mid Term Availability of USNS Yukon (T-AO 202). Work will include flight deck non-skid preservation, 72K Port and starboard main engine overhaul, No. 4 ship service diesel generator 20K overhaul,
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship, Japanese Ship Harusame, engaged with local fishermen during a recent port visit to Salalah, Oman. JS Harusame, currently supporting the counter-piracy task force CTF-151, handed out leaflets to fishermen, written in both English and Arabic, and discussed h
On the 7th February 2015, the Italian Task Force Air (TFA) in Djibouti completed its deployment with the EU Naval Force. The detachment, which boasts a Predator Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV), arrived in Djibouti last August and performed its first flight on the 4th September 2014. Since then, the
Urgent repairs to halt the deterioration of historic World War One vessel HMS Caroline have been completed making the ship safe for the next stage of a massive restoration programme. Repairs conducted by Belfast-based Blu-Marine included a top to bottom survey of the ship’s weakest spots, emergency
The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) resumes operations in the Asia-Pacific areas of operation (AOR) after a four-month maintenance availability period at the Vigor Industrial Shipyard in Portland. The ship underwent repairs to its hull and propulsion plant to maintain maximum operational
