Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 (EODMU 8), Platoon 802 wrapped up their participation in exercise Open Spirit 2014, May 22. Held annually in one of the Baltic States, the exercise aims to clear shipping routes, communication lines, and fishing areas and search for and dispose
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) will enter the Black Sea Friday, May 23, to promote peace and stability in the region. Vella Gulf’s mission is to work with NATO allies toward mutual goals, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening and improvin
A considerable load has been put on France due to its intention to continue with the construction and sale of Mistral-class ships to Russia. France said that the delivery of two warships to the Russian Navy will not be affected by the current EU sanctions imposed on Russia amid the Ukrainian crisi
On May 19, Brussels hosted the Senior Level Meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Defense Reform led by Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The leader of the Ukrainian delegation Andriy Parubiy, Secretary of the National Security and
Dynamic Monarch 2014, which is currently underway off the coast of Poland, is the world’s largest submarine rescue exercise. It is designed to test international forces’ interoperability and ability to respond to submarines that have become disabled anywhere in the world. The Russian Kursk disaster
On Monday 19 May 2014, Dutch frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provenciën joined EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta. As the ship sailed towards the Gulf of Aden the crew maintained a high level of operational readiness. They conducted a hostage release exercise with a Dutch merchant vessel
Waters lap around the 97m-long hull of Britain’s newest submarine as HMS Artful was lowered into a huge basin in Barrow for the first time. The third of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class nuclear submarines was launched over the weekend in a delicate two-day operation. The boat was formally named last
Publication of the UK’s first ever National Strategy for Maritime Security, launched on May 13th at the UK Chamber of Shipping by the Shipping and Armed Forces Ministers, is a major step forward for the shipping industry, according to the UK Chamber of Shipping it demonstrates the UK’s commitment to
Phoenix Express 2014, a multinational maritime exercise between North African, European, and U.S. naval forces, commenced its inport phase at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Training Center (NMIOTC) in Souda Bay, May 13. The U.S. Africa Command-sponsored exercise, now in its eighth year,
The Royal Navy’s HMS Pembroke will sail into Pembroke Dock next week to support the Dockyard Founders Day celebrations. Arriving at No1 Berth Pembroke Dock on May 13, the 52.5 metre ship will remain in port until Saturday (May 17) – and she has two rather proud Pembrokeshire locals on board. “It i
The Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia (CGPCS) will hold its Sixteenth Plenary Session at the UN Headquarters in New York on 14 May 2014, under the Chairmanship of the European Union. The meeting will focus on three major policy areas: (i) capacity building in the region off the coas
After three months of contributing in the fight against piracy with the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta, the Hellenic warship HS Psara heads home to Greece. It was the second time HS Psara has participated in the Counter-Piracy Operation Atalanta as she previously joined the EU Naval For
The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey for MK 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology All-Up-Round (AUR) Warshot torpedoes and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $170 million. The U.S. Defense
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with the Turkish Navy in the Black Sea, May 11. The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilities and reassuring NATO allies and partners of the United States’ commitment to the allian
