On Tuesday 18 March, three EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Relampago gathered in the Gulf of Aden for a joint replenishment at sea (RAS) with the American logistics ship, USNS Pecos from Task Force 53. Ships from Task Force 53 provide regular replenishment support to the Euro
Indian Puts Search Operation for MH370 on Standby The Malaysian authorities have indicated that based on investigation, the search operations for the missing Malaysian Airlines aircraft MH 370 have entered a new phase and a strategy for further searches is being formulated. Accordingly, search opera
The Bahamas Ministry of National Security has moved to acquire nine vessels for the country’s Defence Force. During a contract signing ceremony held at Cabinet Office on Tuesday, March 18, The Ministry of National Security contracted the services of Damen Shipyard to acquire four Damen Stan Patrol
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Russian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border are there solely for exercise purposes and will not cross over into Ukrainian territory, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said yesterday (March 20).
Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Infanta Elena’ has just concluded her participation in the international exercise ‘Saharan Express’ intended to develop and strengthen the capabilities of African nations in the control of their own territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The African
One of the key elements of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy operation in the waters of the Horn of Africa is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). These long-range, capable aircraft conduct aerial patrols over the sea areas where pirates are known to operate and can provide earl
BMT Fleet Technology Ltd (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, the leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, has announced the appointment of Darcy Byrtus as President. Darcy joins BMT from General Dynamics Canada where he held the post of Director of Busi
The two Spanish Navy warships participated in NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’ and EU’s operation ‘Atalanta’ fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. They have both been relieved by other Spanish Navy ships in the port of Djibouti. The frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) has been relieved by her sis
The Royal Marines have been flexing their collective muscle on exercise in Cornwall. Raiding Craft at picture-postcard Cawsand Beach – just some of the roughly 700 Royal Marines involved in Exercise South-West Sword, a week-long workout for the green berets and the nation’s flagship, HMS Bulwark,
On Saturday 15 March, EU Naval Force French Flagship, FS Siroco, and South Korean destroyer, ROKS Kang Gam Chan met at sea in the Gulf of Aden to conduct a series of maritime exercises. Both warships are currently conducting counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. During the exercises, C
Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) partnered with regional NATO allies Romania and Bulgaria for a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Black Sea, March 19, to enhance maritime capabilities between these countries. The exercise allowed Truxtun and the Romanian navy the opportunity to conduc
The U.S. Navy’s ship, USS James E. Williams transited, on March 18th, 2014, the Atlantic Ocean ahead of Joint Warrior Exercise which will take place in Scotland on March 31, 2014. Joint Warrior (JW) Exercises are planned and conducted by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) based at
On Thursday 13 March the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, rendezvoused at sea in the Gulf of Aden with Hellenic warship, HS Psara, to conduct a replenishment from sea. The meeting was also an opportunity for Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean to visit the crewmembers of the Hellenic Navy frigate, which
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke by phone, on March 15th, with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the situation in Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said. “Secretary Hagel and Minister Le Drian affirmed the solidarity of the NATO alliance and disc
