The third and fourth MH-60R “Romeo” helicopters take flight from the Lockheed Martin facility in Owego, N.Y., to join the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first pair of helicopters training at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. On Jan. 24, the U.S. Navy officially delivered two
The airfield at HMAS Albatross was abuzz with activity late last week when three Seahawk helicopters and 84 personnel from 816 Squadron left for Western Australia to participate in TAMEX, a joint maritime training exercise in anti-submarine warfare. Transport for 816 Squadron was provided by three
On Friday, 21 February 2014, New Zealand Warship HMNZS TE MANA concluded her support to NATO’s counter-piracy task force as part of Operation OCEAN SHIELD. “Over the past month, the crew of TE MANA have demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and interoperability with NATO, fully int
The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne has ended a highly successful deployment to the Middle East, handing over to HMAS Darwin responsibility for security operations for Operation SLIPPER. During her five months on station, HMAS Melbourne carried out multiple operations, seizing narcoti
The Australian Government has approved the acquisition of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. The acquisition of the eight P-8A aircraft will cost approximately $4 billion, including support facilities. These state-of-the-art aircraft will dramatically boost Australia’s ability to
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) HMAS Childers has arrived in Darwin after participating in Milan 2014, the biannual international naval event hosted by the Indian Navy in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 5–9 February 2014. Milan 2014 was designed to increase maritime cooperation, interoperab
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) was awarded the Commander, Naval Air Forces Carrier Battle Effectiveness Award, or Battle “E”, Feb. 15. The Battle “E” recognizes sustained superior performance in an operational environment, and sustained continuous
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) arrived in Darwin, Australia for a port visit, Feb. 15. “Our visit to Darwin is just a small part of the strong enduring relationship between the U.S. and Australia,” said Cmdr. T.J. Zerr, Kidd’s executive officer. “For nearly thr
The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Melbourne is on a winning streak in its battle against illicit drug-trafficking, this time in partnership with the Pakistani Naval Ship (PNS) Alamgir. Both ships are deployed on patrol in the Indian Ocean under tasking to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The cre
On Sunday 16 February, the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) detachment flew its 1,000th operational sortie as part of the EU Naval Force. As the Swearingen SW3C Merlin aircraft landed back in the Seychelles, it was given an impressive ‘water-spray’ welcome by the Seych
Yesterday the Ship’s Company of HMAS Paluma took the opportunity to pause for some well earned rest and relaxation at one of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations, the northernmost point of mainland Australia, Cape York. For many, this was their first visit, but for others it was a chance t
Crewmembers of the Spanish Navy warship ESPS Tornado, assigned to EU Naval Force, conducted an exercise with the Malagasy Navy. The exercise took place in Antisiranana, Madagascar from 5 to 8 February and included participation of 18 people from the Malagasy Navy. The primary goal of the exercise
The Australian Navy’s replenishment oiler HMAS Sirius has kept a watchful eye over the recent period on the North West Shelf Oil and Gas Fields, providing overt security presence in the strategically important area for Australia. The patrol was conducted under the umbrella of the RED RAPTOR exerci
Special Sea Dutymen line the forecastle of HMAS Darwin as the ship departs Fremantle, Western Australia. Darwin’s sailors and equipment are put through their paces, to ensure optimum working efficiency leading up to the deployment. The image was taken during HMAS Darwin’s sail to the Operation Sli
