The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 conducted an airborne change of command ceremony in the skies above the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Aug. 13, in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. Cmdr. Thomas F. Foster, from New Castle, Del., relieved Cmdr. Peter M. Collins, from P
The crew of a Royal Navy warship has seized a massive 680-kilogram stash of cocaine with an estimated street value of £100 million. HMS Lancaster made the bust after sailors boarded a speedboat near Puerto Rico. The boat, which was concealed by a tarpaulin, was spotted by a US Customs and Border Pro
On August 11, Dutch supply ship HNLMS Amsterdam, equipped with an on-board NH90 helicopter, set sail for the Caribbean from the port of Den Helder. In the next 4 months, HNLMS Amsterdam will serve as a guard ship and be deployed to intercept drug transports and support the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guar
Earlier this week, the Maltese Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (MSDEBT) on board the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ship Johan de Witt conducted a fast-rope exercise. They fast-roped from one of the two Cougar helicopters embarked on the Dutch warship. The Johan de Witt is currently the flagship of
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) launched the Offshore Patrol Vessel (MOPV) built for the Government of Mauritius on 2 August 2013 from the main yard. The ship was launched by Mrs K. O. Fong Weng-Poorun, Senior Chief Executive of PMO, Govt of Mauritius in the presence of His Excelle
The model, replica Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, NUSHIP Assault, has been launched in Port Ash (near Newcastle) this week – ready to be used by NUSHIP Canberra’s Command Team during a professional ship handling course next week. It may seem ironic in this digital age, but the manned model-ship
Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster sailed from Portsmouth on August 13 as part of the Cougar ’13 deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf which involves thousands of RN, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel. The long-planned deployment will see elements of the UK’s Response Force Task G
The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Newcastle has recently completed two successful weeks of counter terrorism operations in the Red Sea with the multi-national Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150). CTF 150 is a coalition force with a principal mission to deter, disrupt and defeat attempts by internati
Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious sailed from Portsmouth on August 12 as part of an annual deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf region involving thousands of RN, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel. The long-planned Cougar ’13 deployment will see elements of the UK’s Re
The construction of facilities for the new Landing Helicopter Dock ships and Air Warfare Destroyers has commenced in Sydney. Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator David Feeney attended a sod turning ceremony at HMAS Watson on August 8th and welcomed the commencement of building works. “This is
Spanish Maritime Action Ship (BAM) ‘Meteoro’ relieved on August 7 the frigate ‘Numancia’ in the port of Djibouti. Operation ‘Atalanta’ is a EU-led mission fighting piracy in the coast of Somalia. Meteoro will remain in the theatre of operations for a period of four months. Her mission will be to pro
Thousands of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel will leave the UK today for an annual deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf region – Cougar ’13. The long-planned deployment will see elements of the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) – the naval force formed under the
Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began Certification Exercise (CERTEX), Aug. 7. CERTEX is an event focusing on the 31st MEU’s capability of doing missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations or non-combatant
The newest ship in the Brazilian Navy’s fleet departed the UK in late July on a journey of more than 10,000 miles to Brazil. ARAGUARI is the third of three Amazonas Class ocean patrol vessels delivered to the Brazilian Navy by BAE Systems. First of the class, Amazonas, was handed over to the Brazili
