A Royal UK Navy minehunter has been working alongside NATO forces in the Mediterranean to practise hunting and destroying mines as part of an international task force. HMS Blyth exercised her skills as part of Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) which is made up of ships from the
The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 persons in distress to the Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61, and another five persons were medically evacuated to Malta, June 7. Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) rendered assistance June 6 to persons in distre
Defence and security company Saab has received orders from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding construction and production plans for the next generation submarines and to conduct a mid-life update of two Gotland-class submarines. The orders refer to the period 2014-2015 and
Thousands of people from across the UK descended on Southsea in Portsmouth for the 70th anniversary commemorations of D Day. Veterans were given pride of place at a special Drumhead ceremony near the war memorial with 144 members of all three Services on parade as a ceremonial guard of honour as w
For the first time in history a member of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has actively participated in the Eternal Flame Ceremony, which is conducted every evening beneath the world-renowned Arc De Triomphe in Paris. Petty Officer Don Blackley is in France as part of a small contingent of Australi
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) welcomed aboard U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel during a scheduled port visit to Constanta, Romania, June 5. Vella Gulf’s presence in Romania reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and
HMS Enterprise was waved off as she deployed on patrol from Plymouth yesterday 4 June after months of challenging training and maintenance. The was waved off at Devil’s Point as she sailed across Plymouth Sound via HM Naval Base, Devonport, for 18 months of vital survey work in the Bay of Biscay,
The men and women of five British warships today sail to France where they will play a pivotal role in the D-Day commemorations. The Royal Navy’s flagship, HMS Bulwark will lead Her Majesty’s Ships Richmond, Ledbury, Ranger and Express, as well as an international flotilla across the Channel to th
A trio from HMS Collingwood successfully completed the world’s biggest assault course in aid of the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT). Petty Officer (PO) Matthew Sommerville from the Above Water Tactical (AWT) Department was joined by colleagues civilian instructor Frankie Pugliano and PO Roger
Thirteen nations are scheduled to participate in the 42nd annual joint exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014, set for June 6-21, in the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS aims to enhance multinational maritime capabilities and interoperability, while improving involvement in the larger Baltic region theater
BAE Systems has announced new design contracts for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, which will play a vital role in the programme to deliver the Royal Navy’s next generation surface warship. Six Design Development Agreements have been awarded covering key areas such as propulsion, ventilation and e
The Dutch submarine HNLMS Bruinvis and the German U 31 fired exercise torpedoes at each other on May 29. The submarines had been exercising together for the last two days, supported by the Dutch torpedo training ship HNLMS Mercuur. Firing torpedoes The exercise had been organised at short notice a
A group of UK Royal Naval Reservists (RNR) recently joined HMS Illustrious to spend some time learning and training alongside their regular counterparts on an operational warship. A total of 19 Reservists from a range of different backgrounds and units across the country joined the ship for almost
HMS Montrose celebrated two decades of service when alongside in London. Lady Rifkind, the ship’s sponsor, who launched the vessel was welcomed on board the ship by 10 former Commanding Officers of the frigate for a commemorative luncheon. She was joined by her husband Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who was
