A Royal Navy frigate has been carrying out “Approach and Assist” operations in the Gulf as part of her Maritime Security role. Devonport based HMS Monmouth has been helping local fishermen and other mariners in need of assistance, while also providing reassurance that the Royal Navy and other coalit
After being alerted to the situation by Milford Haven Coastguard, the duty RAF search and rescue (SAR) helicopter from A Flight, 22 Squadron, arrived on the scene to find French fishing vessel, ‘Alf’, being tossed around in the water like a piece of driftwood. Weather conditions were so atrocious th
Lieutenant Commander John Sperring, a long-term resident at the Australian Hydrographic Office, celebrated 40 years in Australian Defence Force (ADF) service on 6th March 2013. Originally in the Army for 12 ½ years, John reached the rank of Warrant Officer, primarily in Army Intelligence but also se
Thirty two (32) Direct Entry officers comprising 6 Executive, 8 Logistics and 18 Information Technology officers, passed out in a splendid and grand passing out parade held at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee on 23rd March 2013. Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Lakshman Illank
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) flew its first combat sorties of its 2013 deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) March 24. The missions provide support to NATO forces on the ground in Afghanistan. The types of suppo
The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in the Republic of the Philippines for a scheduled port visit March 22. “Any chance we have to engage with our partners in the region is important,” said Capt. Pete Hildreth, Frank Cable’s commanding officer. “A good, productive relationship betwe
The Spanish Oceanic Patrol Vessel ESPS Rayo, as part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, has taken advantage of her second port visit in Djibouti to conduct training on 20 and 21 March 2013 with the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard. The Boarding Team of ESPS Rayo and Spani
IMO has pledged its support to assist in the implementation of a new Code of Conduct concerning the prevention and repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in west and central Africa, which has been adopted at a Ministerial meeting in Cotonou, Benin. The Code i
The Navy’s first Mobile Landing Platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1), successfully completed builder’s sea trials on March 20, in San Diego, Calif. MLP 1 was constructed by General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO). “This first-of-class ship performed very well during builder’s
After nearly 30 years of Naval service, friends, family and service members gathered at Naval Station Mayport to bid farewell to the Oliver Perry class Frigate USS Klakring (FFG 42) March 22nd, during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. With the ships’ company manning the rails, Cap
Families from Make-a-Wish Foundation visited Fleet Base West during ‘Wish Day’ on Friday 22 March 2013. The children and their families were able to experience and gain an insight into Navy life through visiting a number of units, watching demonstrations and talking to Navy personnel. Make-a-Wish Fo
Two Sailors assigned to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) were reunited with family aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a cross-deck between the two ships March 23. The Eisenhower is relieving the Stennis after a 7-month deployment to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Sinc
A Plymouth based frigate has played a starring role in a maritime security exercise off the coast of West Africa. Whilst on deployment on Atlantic Patrol Task (South) reassurance duties, the Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll, has successfully completed the multi-national exercise, Saharan Express, off the
U.S. Pacific Fleet formally notified several Navy commands March that the Secretary of Defense approved cancellations of their upcoming deployments. The April deployments of the San Diego-based USS Rentz (FFG 46) and USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) have been cancelled due to budget limitations imposed
