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 men and women of HMS Shoreham have returned home to Faslane after seven months of operational duty in the Persian Gulf. It was a varied deployment for Crew 5 who found themselves conducting a wide range of activities throughout the Middle East, from survey missions with the Kuwaiti Navy to takin
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac has commenced preparations for the centenary of the Gallipoli landings in April. Led by Commander Belinda Wood, Anzac’s ship’s company is to ensure the ship is ‘in all respects ready’ to represent Australia at activities in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli, to b
Chinese Warships Dock in Portsmouth, UK Three Chinese Naval ships were given a rapturous welcome as they arrived in Portsmouth for a formal visit aimed at enhancing military understanding between the UK and China. Damen Completes Build of Two FCS 5009 Patrol Vessels Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT)
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed the Black Sea, Jan. 14, 2015, after a series of engagements that promoted peace and stability in the region. Donald Cook’s presence in the Black Sea serves to reaffirm U.S. commitment towards strengthening partnership
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) ships arrived in Barcelona yesterday for a port visit and to prepare to join forces with France’s Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group for a short period of combined exercises. SNMG2 leadership will meet with local Allied authorities to discuss items of mutua
On Sunday 11 January during one of her counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Rayo, sighted several fishing vessels. In order to develop a greater understanding of the pattern of life of local seafarers and any concerns they may have about piracy, the Spanish Navy w
An independent audit found the cost of the department’s 11 biggest equipment programmes fell by £397 million in the past year. The defence equipment plan is an annual update to Parliament on the MOD’s spending plans over the next decade. The update sets out plans to spend around £163 billion on new
On Friday, 9th January 2015, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Rayo, successfully conducted a Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) with United States supply ship USNS Charles Drew in the Gulf of Aden. Task Force 53, to which the US ship is attached, provides regular replenishment support to the EU Naval Force’s co
During a recent port visit to The Seychelles, the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, conducted a counter-piracy exercise called ‘Exchange 2015’ with members of the Seychelles Coast Guard and Maritime Police. The exercise was planned and coordinated with staff from EUCAP Nestor. One of the ma
HMAS Success has conducted her first replenishment at sea as part of Operation MANITOU. Spanish Meteoro class corvette ESPS Rayo was off the coast of Djibouti on 2 January assigned to Combined Task Force 465, the European Union Naval Force, conducting anti-piracy patrols off the Horn of Africa. The
A new EU anti-piracy mission will soon commence in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast. The Swedish Navy will contribute by assisting in escorting World Food Programme vessels to Somalia, as well as other vessels in need of protection. This will be the fourth initiative since 2009. The mission
The Royal Canadian Navy frigate, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton arrived yesterday in Lisbon, Portugal to join Standing NATO Maritime Forces as part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO-led assurance measures that promote security and stability in Central and Easter
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 30. Donald Cook’s visit to Romania reaffirms to NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthening ties, while working toward mutual go