HMAS Darwin has seized and destroyed more than three tonnes of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of $137 million dollars. The drugs were found hidden aboard a skiff in the Gulf of Aden on 16 March 2014. HMAS Darwin is currently deployed on patrol under the control of the Combined Marit
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
The U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departed the Bulgarian port of Varna on Sunday, March 16. While in Varna, Truxtun hosted a planning conference with NATO allies to develop a future multilateral naval training event. Truxtun also had the opportunity to host the command
After 6 months at sea and over a $1 billion dollars in drug apprehensions, HMAS Melbourne returned to her homeport of Garden Island, Sydney, on March 15th. The crowded wharf of well wishers, which counted among their numbers the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Tony Abbott MP and the Chief of
Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion aircraft are continuing to support the Malaysian coordinated search mission for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley said Malaysian authorities coordinating the search had re-tasked an Australian aircraft.
Six ships, led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, departed the U.S. for Scotland, March 14, to participate in Joint Warrior 14-2, a semiannual, United Kingdom-led training exercise designed to provide NATO and allied forces a unique multi-warfare environment in which to prepare for global
After an intense three weeks of operations, the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Mine Counter Measures and Dive Exercise 2014 (MCMEX14) closed with a traditional ceremonial Beat to Quarters at the Navy Museum in Auckland, New Zealand. The MCMEX14 was hosted by the Royal New Zealand Navy and
A trio of warships recently conducted a patrol of the North West Shelf Oil and Gas Fields as part of the Australian Government’s Border Protection Operations. HMA Ships Success, Ballarat and Toowoomba tested communications, procedures and protocols between Coastwatch, Defence assets and Oil and Gas
Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), departed Naval Station Norfolk March 14 on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding waters. “It is an honor to command USS Vella Gulf as we set sail to the 6th Fleet area of operations to enhance maritime security,” said Capt. R
On 13 March 2014, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Tornado departed Operation Atalanta’s patrol areas off the Somali coast after completing 105 days and is now heading for her home port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. As the ship set a navigation course for Spain, the Rear Admiral Bléjean, who is the F
The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, March 14. Donald Cook is the first of four des
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) transited the Suez Canal March 13, entering U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations. While deployed to the region, Bataan will conduct maritime security operations and participate in theater security cooperat
The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Kidd, has been ordered to the Indian Ocean to search for the Malaysian missing plane, according to the Agence France-Presse. The search for the Malaysian lost flight was switched to the Indian Ocean amid reports that the plane kept “pinging” a sat
Shrunken but stable U.S. Defense Department budgets through fiscal 2015 allow the U.S. Navy an acceptable forward presence and have temporarily restored critical training and operations, but the force still faces shortfalls, backlogs and higher risks, the chief of naval operations said on Wednesday.
