The Spanish Navy’s vessels SPS Canarias (F86) and SPS Patiño A14 deployed for NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour on January 26. The vessels deployed from Rota Naval Base, and are expected to take part in the operation during February. They will be integrated in Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).
Two Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) vessels recently met with the German oil tanker FGS Spessart (A 1442) for a replenishment-at-sea operation. While on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea, the group’s vessels USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and Turkish ship TCG Turgutreis (F 241) were both approached by t
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £15 million contract to A&P Group to install high-end military capabilities in four new tankers so that they are ready for operations by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The decision, which will see the creation of 16 new jobs, including 6 new apprenticeships, will
Over the past week, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and the French Navy’s CHARLES DE GAULLE Carrier Strike Group (TF 473) conducted exercises across the Mediterranean Sea in a demonstration of the power of NATO maritime forces to rapidly come together in a crisis or for collective defence. The ongoin
A Commando Helicopter Force Merlin Mk3 aircraft, flown by CHF Aircrew from 28 (AC) Sqn based in RAF Benson, supported 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery training from their Royal Citadel base in Plymouth. With the weather conditions on the day poor at Plymouth and Dartmoor, cloud bases down to aro
The Netherlands Navy took over command of Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) yesterday morning in Den Helder, the Netherlands. The Lithuanian Navy Commander Giedrius Premeneckas handed over command of SNMCMG1 to Dutch Navy Commander Peter A.J. Bergen Henegouwen during a brief ce
The Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol ship has been carrying out an intense programme of Antarctic Treaty inspections since the start of the new year. It has been a busy summer for HMS Protector which is carrying out Antarctic patrols on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), surveys for the Uni
Royal Navy’s survey ship HMS Enterprise captured images of what appears to be two large mountains, which are actually underwater scans of the seabed off the coast of Northern Africa. The larger of the two seamounts, the technical name for underwater mountains, was measured at 1100m which is taller t
Royal Navy’s HMS Severn, a River class offshore patrol vessel, arrived in the Cayman Islands on Sunday, 18 January 2015. The patrol vessel came alongside the Port of George Town’s north terminal. Since the ship replaced HMS Argyll on patrol of the Caribbean in December 2014, it has already visited n
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) arrived in Piraeus, Greece, for a scheduled port visit Jan. 19, 2015. The port visit serves to enhance U.S.-Greek relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe. USS Cole, homeported in Norfolk,
Swedish defence and security company Saab is teaming with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group to explore future opportunities in the international submarine market. The companies have signed an exclusive teaming agreement to work together in pursuit of the potential Walrus-class submarine replac
BAE Systems has hired Wincanton plc for the provision of full logistics and warehousing services in support of its UK shipbuilding operations, including its programme to deliver three new River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Navy. The long-term agreement, which starts with the outsourci
Rear Admiral Matt Zirkle, United States Navy, relieved Rear Admiral Bob Kamensky, United States Navy, as Commander, Submarine Forces NATO (COMSUBNATO) and Deputy Chief of Staff, Submarines, for NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), at an informal ceremony in Northwood, UK on January 16. During near
The Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord has paid a visit to a Chinese assault ship during its stay in Portsmouth. Admiral Sir George Zambellas was given a tour of Chang Bai Shan which is one of three Chinese Naval ships visiting the city’s naval base for five days. He was hosted by Rear Admiral Zhang [&hell
