As of August 4th, 2012, HNLMS Rotterdam is the flagship of NATO counterpiracy operation Ocean Shield. The Landing Platform Dock took over the tasks of air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the waters off the coast of Somalia. Along with the Rotterdam’s 320-strong crew, Commodore Ben Bekk
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Aug. 7, to patrol the southeast Asian-Pacific region. With Capt. Will Pennington at the helm for the first time since he assumed command July 27, Blue Ridge will continue to strengthen partnerships through exercises
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36), recovered 49 bales of narcotics from the Caribbean Sea during Operation Martillo, Aug. 3. Underwood pursued a “go-fast” speed boat late Tuesday evening, Aug. 2, but it dumped its load before Underwood was able to effect a b
On Monday Huntington Ingalls Industries began construction on the amphibious transport dock LPD 27. The ship, being built at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, is the 11th ship in the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class of ships. “This is the 11th LPD in what has become a hot production line,”
The Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, visited the Royal Navy’s Flagship HMS Bulwark at sea on August 2 in Weymouth Bay during the ship’s operational duties as the afloat Command And Control Headquarters in support of the maritime policing and security mission at the Olymp
Australian Navy Clearance Divers are playing a key role at RIMPAC 2012, both in Hawaii and on the US mainland. Their focus is on mine countermeasures – the largest collection of Mine Counter Measures (MCM) capacity ever deployed by Australia on this exercise. Commander Doug Griffiths is in charge of
Commander Block took command of the ship following four years deployed to, or supporting, operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On assuming command of the Portsmouth based frigate, he said “It is an immense honour to have been appointed in command of this highly sophisticated, well trained ship which
HMAS Darwin has successfully exercised complex ship and air launched torpedo delivery during the multinational maritime exercise RIMPAC 2012. Firing one MK46 torpedo from Darwin and two Mk46 torpedos from embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk “Valkyrie”, Darwin demonstrated a combined ability to detect and count
The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company a $51.7 million contract for low rate initial production of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2. The contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to more than $105 million. RAM Block 2 features enhanced
She worked for half a year to protect Britain’s interests in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, but now that job lies with another ship. HMS Westminster is on her way home having handed over to Devonport-based frigate HMS Sutherland. During her time Westminster – known as The Capital Ship – has disru
As part of Exercise RIM-OF-THE-PACIFIC (RIMPAC 2012), a group of officers from United States Ships Chafee and Crommelin spent the day on HMAS Perth observing and experiencing life onboard an Australian ship. The visitors were given a tour of the ship, including a walk through of the engine room and
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) pulled into Colon, Panama, for a brief stop for fuel, supplies and to conduct maintenance and repairs, July 27. While the ship took on fuel, fresh fruit, vegetables, and mail, engineers worked busily below decks performing m
The Air Force’s newest helicopter, the NH90, has successfully completed its first landing on the Navy’s multi-role vessel, HMNZS CANTERBURY. The interface trial is the first stage of a process intended to integrate helicopter and ship operations – an important step towards the New Zealand Defence Fo
Nearly 1,800 guests attended the christening of Huntington Ingalls Industries’ ninth amphibious transport dock, Somerset (LPD 25), at the company’s Avondale shipyard. LPD 25 is named to honor the courage of the passengers and crew members of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed on Sept. 11, 2001
