Aviation
British Navy Welcomes First Merlin Mk2 Helicopter into the Fleet
The first of the UK’s fleet of next-generation anti-submarine maritime patrol Merlin Mk2 helicopters have been delivered to the Royal Navy. The 5 helicopters have been handed over to the Fleet Air Arm following an upgrade as part of a £750 million contract with Lockheed Martin. Fitted with advanced
Change of Command Ceremony for USS Wasp
The crew of amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) held a change of command ceremony in Norfolk, July 18. Capt. Brian Teets relieved Capt. Gary Boardman as the commanding officer of Wasp in a time honored ceremony held in the hangar bay. “I would like to thank the crew for their outstanding hard w
USS Gettysburg Leaves Naval Station Mayport
Guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) departed Naval Station Mayport July 22 to join the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group on a scheduled deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. Gettysburg has been actively preparing for this deployment with Carrier Strike Group 10 as
USS Harry S. Truman Sails for Nine-Month Deployment
Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) said their goodbyes to friends and family prior to getting underway for an eight to nine- month deployment July 22. Truman, along with the other components of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG), completed a composite traini
USS Bonhomme Richard Takes Part in Beach Assault Exercise
The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) participated in a simulated beach assault as part of the biennial combined joint training exercise Talisman Saber 2013, July 20 and 21. Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked CH-53E Super Stal
Meteoro Sets Sail for Atalanta, Indian Ocean
Maritime Action Ship ‘Meteoro’, homeported in Las Palmas (the Canary Islands), departed on deployment on July 15 to participate in counter-piracy operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean. The farewell ceremony was presided over by the Flag Officer of the Canary Islands Naval Command Gregorio Bueno M
HMS Lancaster on the Lookout for Drug Trafficking
Following a successful drugs bust on the island of Anguilla, a Royal Navy warship is now fully engaged in her new counter narcotics role. HMS Lancaster, one of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, recently helped the Royal Anguilla Police Force track down a series of cannabis plantations on the island
Bonhomme Richard ESG Participates in Helicopter Assault Training Exercise
Sailors and Marines assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) participated in a helicopter assault training exercise 20 and 21 July during the biennial multi-national exercise Talisman Saber 2013. Over a 2-day period, more than six Navy and Marine aircraft conducted flight op
HMAS Newcastle Continues Multi-National Fight Against Terrorism in MEAO
HMAS Newcastle has continued the multi-national fight against terrorism in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) with a focused operation targeting weapons and drug smugglers operating in the Red Sea. The narrow sea is commonly used by smugglers to ferry weapons and drugs between Africa and the
EU NAVFOR Helicopter Overflies MV Albedo, FV Naham 3
Last week EU Naval Force confirmed that the Malaysian flagged Motor Vessel, MV Albedo, held by armed pirates in an anchorage close to the Somali coast since November 2010, had sunk in rough seas. Since then EU Naval Force warships and a Maritime Patrol Aircraft have conducted sea and air searches in
USS Freedom VBSS Team Trains with Singaporean CG
Sailors assigned to USS Freedom’s (LCS 1) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team staged a compliant boarding exercise with a team from the Singaporean Police Coast Guard July 17 as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises
UK: HMS Lancaster Helps Detecting Three Cannabis Plantations
The Ship’s Company of HMS Lancaster have been praised by police for helping detect three cannabis plantations in the Caribbean resulting in the seizure of 204 plants. HMS Lancaster is currently deployed on patrol in the North Atlantic and Caribbean and was on a visit to the island of Anguilla when t
USA: HST CSG to Deploy
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) is scheduled to deploy July 22 for an eight- to nine-month deployment in support of 5th and 6th Fleet operations. In preparation for deployment, HST CSG has completed a series of complex training events and achieved all required operational certific
UK: HMS Somerset Hoists New Somerset County Flag
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset hoisted the new Somerset County flag after being presented with it by the Chairman of Somerset County Council. Councillor David Fothergill presented the flag to the ship’s captain Commander Mike Smith on board during a weekend visit by council representatives from