For the first time in history a member of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has actively participated in the Eternal Flame Ceremony, which is conducted every evening beneath the world-renowned Arc De Triomphe in Paris. Petty Officer Don Blackley is in France as part of a small contingent of Australi
NATO Defence Ministers on Tuesday (3 June) decided to extend NATO’s counter-piracy operation Ocean Shield until the end of 2016. Since August 2009, NATO ships have patrolled the waters off the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Ocean Shield. Their mission is to contribute to international efforts
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) welcomed aboard U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel during a scheduled port visit to Constanta, Romania, June 5. Vella Gulf’s presence in Romania reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and
During her recent port visit to the Seychelles, the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg conducted an oil spill exercise with units of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Air Force, Fire and Rescue Services, Port authorities and Maritime Safety Administration. The command team of FGS Brandenburg coord
Royal Australian Navy submarine, HMAS Sheean, has been hunted from the air and sea as part of Exercise Bersama Shield off the Malay Peninsula. Exercise Bersama Shield is designed to enhance the interoperability of Five Power Defence Arrangement member nations. Australian Defence Force (ADF) elemen
The eighth iteration of Phoenix Express 2014 concluded June 4, after three weeks of maritime security training scenarios ashore and at sea. Phoenix Express, one of four U.S. Africa Command-sponsored regional maritime exercises, brought together maritime forces from North Africa, Europe, and the U.
USS Ross (DDG 71) departed its Norfolk homeport June 3 on her way to Rota, Spain, as the second of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be forward deployed there. To enhance the security of the European region, two additional ballistic missile defense (BMD)-capable destroyers – US
Thirteen nations are scheduled to participate in the 42nd annual joint exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014, set for June 6-21, in the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS aims to enhance multinational maritime capabilities and interoperability, while improving involvement in the larger Baltic region theater
A small team of personnel from the Royal UK Navy’s 815 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), based at RNAS Yeovilton, visited South Korea to develop operating and maintenance procedures for the Lynx aircraft that both nations operate. 815 Squadron, which currently operates the Lynx Mk8 aircraft, hold an affil
On Sunday 25 May 2014, French frigate FS Floréal, which is currently deployed with the EU Naval Force, provided towing assistance to a Yemeni dhow in the Gulf of Aden after it was seen drifting without power at sea. The crew of a Japanese Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) had earl
At the end of May the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg, made a port visit to the island of Mayotte. Uniquely, Mayotte is the only part of the European Union located inside Operation ATALANTA’s area of operations. Mayotte, which is located in the south west corner of the Indian Ocean, becam
The Honorable Susan J. Rabern, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Financial Management and Comptroller visited NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) at its Mechanicsburg, Pa. site, May 28. Rabern’s visit to NAVSUP WSS was part of a half-day visit to Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) arrived in Constanta, Romania for a scheduled port visit, June 3. Vella Gulf’s presence in Romania reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and partners, while working toward mutual goals of p
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) practiced Codes for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) with Japanese vessel JDS Kunisaki (LST-4003), June 2. CUES, a set of procedures recently endorsed by naval leaders at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) this past April, is a guideline fo
