Belgian Navy command and support ship BNS Godetia assumed the role of NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) flagship on July 22, taking over from Dutch submarine support ship HNLMS Mercuur (A900). Despite having 780,000 nautical miles on the clock, Godetia brings a wealth of capabilit
The US Coast Guard is set to commission its newest fast response cutter, the Nathan Bruckenthal, in a ceremony on July 25. The commissioning ceremony at Alexandria City Pier, will be attended by Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Karl Schultz, and the crew of the coast guard’s 28th fast response cutter. T
Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Dixmude and La Fayette-class frigate FS Surcouf wrapped up the French Navy’s annual Jeanne D’Arc mission returning to naval base Toulon on July 19. The two ships got underway in late February and sailed a total of 26,500 nautical miles over a period of 145 days.
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS St. John’s returned to her homeport in Halifax on July 23 after spending six months deployed to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2). Joining SNMG1 on January 18, 2018, the frigate contributed to NATO operations as part of the Canadian operation Reassurance. Duri
The Bulgarian-hosted international maritime exercise Breeze 2018 concluded in the Black Sea on July 20. Units from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Turkey, United States and NATO’s Allied Maritime Command took part in a week of drills. During the sea phase of the exercise,
Enterprise spent the year as flagship of SNMCMG2
US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and ships from its carrier strike group returned to Yokosuka, Japan, on July 24, after three months of operations. During the three months, Ronald Reagan was joined by Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54
A fire broke out late Sunday aboard the logistic support ship Vulcano which is under construction at Fincantieri’s Mugiano shipyard in La Spezia. According to Italian media reports, the fire broke out around 22:30, local time, and originated in the ship’s engine room. The Italian National Firefighte
The US Navy will disestablish its combat camera units on Sept. 30, 2018, after 67 years of service to the navy and defense department. The move is part of an effort to cut costs amid budget constrains, according to a Navy Times report. Thousands of US Navy Combat photographers who have recorded hist
Three teams of bidders have submitted their final proposals for the construction of a fleet of new frigates for the Royal Canadian Navy under the Canadian Surface Combatant Program. The companies received feedback to revise their proposals in May and the deadline for the final bids to be submitted w
The Australian P-8A Poseidon aircraft has achieved another milestone successfully firing its first Harpoon anti-ship missile during exercise RIMPAC 18 off Hawaii. The ATM-84J Harpoon missile was launched from the aircraft to sink its target, decommissioned US Navy ship USS Racine. Australian defense
Ships of the US Navy’s Harry S. Truman carrier strike group (HSTCSG) returned to Naval Station (NS) Norfolk on July 21 after a shortened three-month deployment. Some 6,500 sailors from aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and strike group ships USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 5
A new plan to refurbish propulsion gas turbine parts for surface combatants instead of buying new ones will allow the US Navy to save over $100 million in the next five years. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, awarded t
After concluding two weeks of exercises with the Finnish and Swedish Navy in the Baltic Sea, Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose visited Stockholm for a few days’ break. The Devonport-based frigate joined Swedish and Finnish vessels for Baltic Cross, the first exercise involving the three navi
