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US Navy sailors aid passengers after Air Niugini plane crashes in Micronesia
US Navy sailors from Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2 rendered assistance to the passengers and crew of Air Niugini flight PX56, after it crashed into the lagoon near Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, International Airport, Sept. 28. Flight PX56 crashed approximately a quarter mile short of
F-35B conducts first combat strike from USS Essex
In a milestone for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, a Marine Corps F-35B flying from amphibious assault ship USS Essex carried out its first combat strike. The strike took place on September 27 in the US Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afgha
HMS Argyll trains with helicopter carrier JS Kaga en route to South China Sea
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll on Wednesday joined a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force task group led by helicopter carrier JS Kaga for maneuvers in the Indian Ocean. Prior to drills with the Royal Navy, JS Kaga’s group was part of the first known Japanese anti-submarine warfare drill in the
French frigate seizes 7 tons of hashish in Indian Ocean
French Navy frigate FS Floreal has seized over 7 tons of hashish from two dhows in the Indian Ocean on September 23 and 24. According to Combined Maritime Forces, the drugs are valued at $3.5m, based on street values in Yemen, which was the expected destination for the hashish. This is the most sign
World’s first floating nuclear power plant heads for dismantling site
The US Army’s first floating nuclear power plant vessel Sturgis got underway from the Port of Brownsville and is en route to her dismantling site. The vessel is being towed from Galveston to the International Shipbreaking Limited facility after undergoing radiological decommissioning that included t
Indian Navy orders two diving support vessels from Hindustan Shipyard
The Indian Navy has contracted Visakhapatnam-based shipbuilder Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the construction of two 118-meter diving support vessels (DSV). The contract was signed on September 20. The first vessel is scheduled to be built in a 36-month period, followed by the second, six months la
Philippine Coast Guard orders Airbus H145 helicopter
Philippine Coast Guard has become Philippines’ first operator of the H145 helicopter after ordering one unit for its operations. The new 4-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter is equipped with high-frequency radios, emergency flotation gear, fast roping, cargo sling, search light, and electro-optical
Royal Navy starts works on new reservists center in Wales
Works on a new £11 million Royal Navy site which will become a center for Maritime Reservists in Wales are officially underway. In 18 months’ time this site will be transformed into the new headquarters of HMS Cambria in Cardiff Bay. The new building will provide training and classroom suites, accom
Singapore commissions two LMVs, opens new training center
The Republic of Singapore Navy commissioned two littoral mission vessels (LMV) and inaugurated a new simulation center in a ceremony at Tuas Naval Base on September 26. The two LMVs, RSS Justice and RSS Indomitable, are the fourth and fifth of overall eight vessels in their class. Shipbuilder ST Eng
India contracts Germany’s TKMS for INS Shishumar upgrade
Indian shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) has contracted German submarine specialist thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for work on the overhaul of the Indian Navy’s Type 209 submarine INS Shishumar. The exact value of the contract was not revealed and TKMS only said it received a “high two
Report: UK’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent may be put at risk
The UK’s ability to provide the continuous submarine-based nuclear deterrent will be put at risk if a number of issues are not solved, a new report finds. At times of major international uncertainties, the country’s defense department needs to bridge a £2.9 billion affordability gap, according to th
US Navy accepts delivery of 17th Virginia-class submarine ‘South Dakota’ (SSN 790)
Groton-based shipbuilder General Dynamics Electric Boat has delivered the 17th Virginia-class submarine to the US Navy. The future USS South Dakota (SSN 790) was delivered in a ceremony on Sept. 24. The ship began construction in 2013 and is scheduled to commission in early 2019. South Dakota is the
Sea Guardian special ops unit achieves full operational capability
NATO’s operation Sea Guardian Special Operations Command Control Element (SOCCE) achieved full operational capability last week, NATO’s Maritime Command has announced. On September 20, under Maritime Command (MARCOM) guidance and SOCCE control, an opposed live boarding exercise commenced with the pa
USCG cutter home after seizing $61 million worth of drugs
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) cutter Seneca returned on September 25 to her homeport of Boston following a 50-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Seneca crewmembers and a tactical law enforcement detachment team conducted multiple interdictions while patrolling international