On U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first official visit to China, the Peoples’ Liberation Army allowed him, in response to a request made in January, to become the first foreign visitor to tour the sleek refitted Russian aircraft carrier, the PLA’s first, called Liaoning. China is Hagel’s thi
On Sunday 30 March, EU Naval Force French flagship, FS Siroco and the Japanese Navy destroyer, JDS Samidare met at sea in the Gulf of Aden. The Japanese Commander of Escort Division 4, Captain Hiroaki Tajiri and members of his staff took the opportunity to visit the Operation Atalanta Force Comman
Ahead of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the European Union in Brussels, a significant naval exercise has taken place in the Gulf of Aden to demonstrate the growing cooperation between the EU and China on issues of international security and defence. EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco and FGS Hess
Korea Opts for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Aircraft The Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. USS Elrod Takes Over Escort Duties of Libyan Seized Tanker The U.S. Navy’s USS Elrod relieved the USS Stout of
Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group departed White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa March 25 to participate in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014. U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet will participate in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 in the Rep
The Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. “We appreciate the trust and confidence the Republic of Korea has placed in the 5th Generation F-35 to meet its demanding security requirements. We look forward to su
Indian Coast Guard, being the coordinator of the Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), conducted the 6th Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise (SAREX-14) from 19 to 20 March 2014 in and around Mumbai. Events comprised of Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop (Table Top Exercise) conducted on 19 March 2
The ADF has provided four AP-3C Orion patrol aircraft to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)-led search of the Southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. These aircraft have concentrated at RAAF Base Pearce and are undertaking tasking. A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2
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 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed a task group in support of international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden for the fifth time. Led by Colonel Cheong Kwok Chien, the 151-strong SAF task group comprises the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class stealth frigate, RSS Tenacio
Searching a combined 15,000 square miles since March 10th, USS Kidd and its MH-60R helicopters completed their search of the Andaman Sea and have been detached from the MH370 Search and Rescue (SAR) effort as of March 18. No debris or wreckage associated with an aircraft was found. “The dedication
The crew of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) is stepping up their search efforts for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean with round-the-clock coverage. Kidd has been searching now for six days and the additional measures taken during this search miss
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Hong Kong after a four-day port visit March 16. During the port call, Blue Ridge crew members, along with Sailors from embarked 7th fleet staff, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 and Marines from Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Pacific, g
Following Singapore Minister of Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen’s offer of additional assistance to his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein on March 9, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have deployed additional assets to assist in the search-and-locate (SAL) operation for the missing Beijing-
