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International mine countermeasure drill kicks off in Australia
An international mine countermeasure exercise got underway on Australia’s New South Wales south coast at Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base HMAS Creswell on May 7. The biennial Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Mine Countermeasures and Diving Exercise (MCM DIVEX) is set to conclude after two week
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender tests new turbines after 18-month refit
Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender returned to her homeport in Portsmouth concluding her first underway period after undergoing an 18-month refit. The ship put her systems and personnel to the test over the seven-day period following the major upkeep which saw two new gas turbines fitted alon
US Navy reestablishing 2nd Fleet
Chief of US Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, unveiled plans to reestablish the US 2nd Fleet amid the increasing power competition on a global scale. This was announced during a change of command ceremony for US Fleet Forces Command (USFF) in Norfolk on May 4. Second Fleet will likely be react
New NATO command may be based in Norfolk
The US Department of Defense has officially offered to host the proposed NATO Joint Force Command for the Atlantic at its naval facilities in Norfolk, Virginia. The new JFC-Norfolk will ensure that NATO can successfully conduct operations across the full spectrum of Alliance missions in the trans-At
Largest military drill in Black Sea kicks off
21 military ships, 10 combat aircraft and a submarine are taking part in Sea Shield 18 from May 4 to 11. Sea Shield is an annual, Romania-led multinational exercise in the Black Sea designed to improve interoperability and combat proficiency of participating units. As informed by the Romanian Navy,
US Navy makes first-ever visit to Makassar, Indonesia
The expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Millinocket departed Makassar, Indonesia, on May 4, marking the US Navy’s first visit to the port. The port visit served to strengthen the US-Indonesia partnership while reinforcing mutual commitment to bilateral and multilateral exercises and future port v
HMS Duncan meets with other NATO ships in Aegean Sea
Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan recently led a meeting of NATO vessels in the Aegean Sea. The destroyer is currently flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2. Duncan, in company with the Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik and Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria, met up with German frigate FGS Bayern a
Investments focus on more lethal force, US Navy Secretary says
The naval enterprise is investing in its people and capabilities to build a more lethal force in the age of great power competition, US Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer said. “We’re building the Navy the nation needs and the Marine Corps of the future,” Spencer said at a Pentagon news briefing on M
Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra hosts Macron
French president Emmanuel Macron met with Royal Australian Navy personnel during a three-day visit to Australia. In a sign of strengthening ties between the two countries, Macron and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited submarine HMAS Waller and landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra berthed at Ga
Sonar, naval robotics MoU signed during Macron’s Sydney visit
Deeper collaboration between Australia and France in advanced sonar and naval robotics technology will flow from a research agreement announced in Sydney today during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Flinders University in South Australia,
Australia, Indonesia work together to improve maritime security
Australia and Indonesia have concluded in Bali a coordinated patrol aimed at improving security along the shared maritime border. Coordinated maritime patrol AUSINDO CORPAT 2018, the eighth iteration of the exercise, began in Darwin on April 16 following seven days of joint exercises between the two
Navantia chooses SMA for Future Frigate bid
Navantia Australia has selected another Australian company that would join it in its bid for the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigate program. Scientific Management Associates (SMA) has been selected to develop and deliver specialized integrated logistics system (ILS) documentation for Navantia’s
USCG cutter Resolute back home after 71-day deployment
The crew of the United States Coast Guard cutter Resolute returned home on April 28 to St. Petersburg following a 71-day deployment. While on deployment, the Resolute crew interdicted two suspected drug smuggling vessels, repatriated 50 Haitian migrants and earned designations for exceptional perfor
Poland welcomes USS Farragut
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) arrived in Gydnia, Poland, April 27, for a scheduled port visit. The visit is aimed at enhancing US and Poland relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe. Gydnia is Farragut’s second port visit since depart