Authorities
Serbian Forces Take Over EU Navfor Vessel Protection Duties
On Saturday 1 December, an EU Naval Force Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) handover ceremony was held in Djibouti between Lithuanian and Serbian Forces in Djibouti. Members of the Lithuanian Forces have spent the past four months embarked in the World Food Programme (WFP) aid ship, MV
Production of NATO’s First Global Hawk Aircraft Begins
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Moss Point, Miss., Unmanned Systems Center started production of the first NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Block 40 Global Hawk aircraft, enhanced to meet NATO operational requirements. NATO representatives, state dignitaries, community leaders and Northrop Gru
Turkish Mine Warfare Exercise NUSRET 13 Draws to a Close
Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO (SNMCMG2) successfully joined 11 additional ships in the annual Turkish Mine Warfare Exercise NUSRET 13 in Saros Bay November 22-30. The SNMCMG2 units FGS MOSEL, FGS ROTTWEIL and TCG ERDEMLI were joined by the Hellenic Navy HS EVROPI. The Turkish Navy, u
OCEAN SHIELD Flagship Saves Dhow Crew off Somalia
On Sunday, 1 December 2013, the NATO counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD task group flagship HNoMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN rescued the crew of a Somalia-based dhow, which contained broken steering gear and two ill crew members. While patrolling the Gulf of Aden, NANSEN received a call from a Japanese Mari
Hetman Sahaydachnyi Praised for Contribution to NATO’s Anti-Piracy Efforts
Leaders of the tactical group of the Ocean Shield operation discussed the operation results aboard the Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaydachnyi in relation to the rotation term completion. The parties analyzed the interoperability and summarized the joint work during this counter-piracy operation. Comm
Danish MPA Challenger Rounds Off OCEAN SHIELD Deployment
During the last two months, a Danish Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Challenger (CL604) from the Royal Danish Air Force provided support to NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD (OOS) under the control of Maritime Air Directorate (MARAIR). This MPA was stationed in the Seychelles between 23 Se
Drum Cussac Delivers Anti-Piracy Training Programme for Malagasy Navy
Drum Cussac Ltd, the leading global business risk consultancy, has delivered an anti-piracy training programme for the Malagasy Navy at the Naval Base in Diego Suarez, Madagascar. It is the first time that a private company has been permitted to partner with the Malagasy Navy. A team of Drum Cussac’
Operation Atalanta: Last RAS for ESPS Meteoro
On Thursday 28 November EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Meteoro made its ninth and last replenishment at sea (RAS) with the logistic American ship USNS Joshua Humphries. The meeting between both ships was close to the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden, and five days befor
NATO Ships Call at Haifa, Israel
Two NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2), flagship ESPS ALVARO DE BAZAN and FGS SACHSEN, arrived Wednesday 27 November 2013 for a visit to the historic port city of Haifa, Israel. In conjunction with the port visit, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, Commander of NATO Allied Marit
Surgery Conducted aboard Ukrainian Frigate
On November 28, the medical staff of the Hetman Sahaydachny frigate from Ukraine, participating in the NATO’s Ocean Shield counter-piracy operation, completed an appendectomy aboard the ship. The gas machine-room operator needed the emergency aid. A group of medical personnel led by Lt. Col. Serhiy
Dutch Navy Takes Over MPAS for Its NH90 NFH Fleet
The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has taken delivery of a Mission Planning & Analysis System (MPAS) in the Final Operative Configuration for its fleet of NH90 NFH medium twin naval helicopters, AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced. This delivery of MPAS follows the one released into ser
HMS Daring’s Lynx Helicopter Plays Vital Role in Philippines Relief Mission
HMS Daring’s Lynx proved indispensable in first finding devastated remote communities in the Philippines – then delivering vital aid to them. During a hectic five days of flying, the helicopter carried more than eight tonnes of aid, ferried 150 people about and got to villages far beyond the reach o
Spanish Navy Takes Part in MNEX-13
Between the 12th and 20th of November, the Spanish Navy Maritime Action Staff participated in the multinational exercise ‘MNEX-13’ of naval-cooperation with merchant shipping. This exercise, organized every two years, is designed to enhance interoperability and training of NCAGS personnel (Naval Coo
SNMG2 Crews Conduct Boarding Exercise on French Oiler
On Saturday, 23 November 2013, Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) performed an opposed boarding exercise on the French oiler FS VAR, the culmination of four months of intense combined training that demonstrated the interoperability of the Group’s three ships. The Group’s flagship ESPS ALVARO D