Aviation
Royal Navy’s New Merlin Aircraft Begins Sea Trials
The new addition to the Royal Navy’s Merlin family of aircraft has been conducting sea trials onboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Lyme Bay, operating daily from the Fleet Air Arm’s West Cornwall Base. The Green Merlin Mk 3 has recently been transferred from the RAF to the RN “Junglie” Commando Helicop
Image of the Day: RAS in the Persian Gulf
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Red Lions of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 transports cargo from during a replenishment-at-sea. Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) and the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) engaged in RAS on March 25, whil
HMAS Canberra Starts Helicopter Trials
Australian Navy’s landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra has commenced the first phase of helicopter trials at sea off the coast of both New South Wales and Queensland. The Navy’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit is onboard Canberra conducting the trials with two MRH 90 helicopters from 80
RFA Argus Recognized for Effort against Ebola
Royal Navy’s RFA Argus has been honoured by the Defence Secretary as she heads back to the UK after supporting the fight against Ebola. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship deployed to Sierra Leone from Falmouth in September. Her task was to provide vital aviation support and medical capability to the Dep
USS Blue Ridge Concludes Hong Kong Visit
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Victoria Harbor, March 24, following four days of cultural exchanges throughout Hong Kong. During the visit, Sailors and Marines took the opportunity away from work and volunteered their time with various local organizations, strengthening the
MOD Helicopter Contract Boosts UK Jobs
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a helicopter support contract worth £580 million to AgustaWestland, sustaining more than 1,000 jobs across the UK. The deal, worth over half a billion pounds, will provide maintenance support to the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 and Mk3 helicopters over the next five
Spanish Navy Saves 26 in the Alboran Sea
The Spanish Navy’s patrol vessel ‘Vigía’ P-73 recently took part in a search and rescue operation in the Alboran Sea. In collaboration with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency, the Navy rescued 26 immigrants who started their journey from the coast east of Melilla, Morocco. While Vigía was conducting
US, Japanese Forces Start Multi-Sail 2015
Personnel and ships from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. Navy Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) from Japan led by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 kicked off Multi-Sail 2015, March 22, in Guam. Multi-Sail is an annual DESRON 15 led exercise that is designed to assess combat syste
US Navy 7th Fleet Waves Goodbye to Langkawi, Malaysia
Sailors and aircraft from U.S. Navy 7th Fleet departed Langkawi, March 21, at the conclusion of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2015 with a deeper understanding of regional nations. LIMA, a biennial event held in Malaysia since 1991, has now become a premier desti
Japan Receives Biggest Warship Since WWII
The biggest Japanese warship since the WWII was delivered to Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force. The vessel, named Izumo, represents the latest move in Japan’s expansion of naval capabilities. Reuters quoted Gen Nakatani, Japan’s Minister of Defense, as saying that “the vessel can serve in a wide r
Image of the Day: Sea Hawk Lands aboard USS Ross
An SH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Ghostriders of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 lands aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71). The operation was undertaken in the Mediterranean Sea on March 21. Ross is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of res
HMS Sutherland Deploys for Sea Trials
Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland left Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard for sea trials yesterday, 24 March. The vessel has increased structural sustainability and fighting capability, as part of a significant upgrade and substantial maintenance programme by Babcock, including extensive i
HMAS Tobruk Arrives to Vanuatu for Relief Mission
HMAS Tobruk has arrived in Port Vila to assist the Vanuatu government in relief operations to repair damage in the wake of the devastating tropical cyclone Pam. HMAS Tobruk, with 335 personnel on board, sailed from Townsville on 18 March with troops and equipment from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regimen
USS Blue Ridge Docks in Hong Kong
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Victoria Harbor March 20 for a port visit in Hong Kong. Blue Ridge has been regularly visiting Hong Kong since forward deploying to Yokosuka, Japan in 1979, and will take part in cultural exchanges and community service activiites with the l