Aviation
UK Warship Hosts Rugby League Cup Draw
Helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious was the unique venue for the draw of the next round of Rugby League’s most famous competition. England’s Head Coach Steve McNamara flew aboard Lusty in the North Sea with the precious Carnegie Challenge Cup to pick the clashes in the second round of the contest – t
UK: Apache Gunships Return to HMS Illustrious
The flight deck of HMS Illustrious is humming and throbbing courtesy of the most potent helicopter in Britain’s arsenal. Apache gunships have returned to the carrier for training in the North Sea ahead of a visit by the ship to Tyneside which begins today. Three Apaches from 656 Squadron Army Air Co
USS Iwo Jima Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Feb. 28. Capt. Grady Banister relieved Capt. Thomas Chassee as commanding officer. “I would like to say one last time what an honor and privilege it has been to be a part of Iwo Jima’
Britain’s Most Advanced Warship Sweeps Troubled Waters on First Major Operation
Britain’s most advanced warship HMS Daring joined Allied navies in a concerted sweep of troubled waters for her first major operation east of Suez. The destroyer joined Australian, Pakistani, New Zealand and Yemeni ships and personnel on Operation Scimitar Anzac, which scoured the Red Sea, Gulf of A
Mistrals to Get Newest Russian Strike, Defensive Weapon Systems
Newest Russian strike and defensive weapon systems including supersonic cruise missiles will be mounted on all four Mistral-class amphibious assault ships built for Russian Navy in France and Russia, reports today ITAR-TASS referring to a source in Russian defense industry. “As is planned, first two
Counter Piracy Commander Welcomes UK Warship to Task Group
Commodore Aage Buur Jensen of the Royal Danish Navy and Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces’ counter piracy force (CTF-151), has paid a flying visit to the latest frigate to arrive in theatre under his command. HMS Westminster is currently at sea in the Gulf of Aden where the Commodore’s Flags
HMS Illustrious, Danish Military Work Together
Portsmouth-based warship HMS Illustrious has been working with counterparts from the Danish military during a four-day visit to Copenhagen. The ship hosted a Lynx helicopter from the Royal Danish Air Force for several hours of flight deck drills. Among the helicopter crew was Lieutenant Richard Dixo
UK: HMS Mersey Joins HMS Severn, HMS Tyne for Annual Fishery Protection Squadron Exercise
Royal Navy Fishery Protection Vessel HMS Mersey was joined by her sister ships HMS Severn and HMS Tyne for the annual Fishery Protection Squadron Exercise last week. The exercise saw the ships put through their paces in a series of challenging combined evolutions at sea as well as team-building and
USA: HII to Provide Long-Lead Materials for LPD 27
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $70 million cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract modification from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead materials for LPD 27, the 11th amphibious transport dock of the USS San Antonio (LPD 1
Early Start of Year for HMAS Tobruk
HMAS Tobruk (CMDR Tim Watson RAN) was back out at sea enhancing the Navy’s capability in support of Operation RESOLUTE just weeks after becoming the latest amphibious ship to achieve Unit Readiness. Tobruk sailed from Sydney on 13 January to assume duties as the long-haul Major Fleet Unit (MFU) for
UK: Navy Helps Reduce Somali Pirate Activity
Following his posting as Commander of the UK Counter-Piracy Task Group, Captain Gerry Northwood, Royal Navy, has written in The Times newspaper about how concerted efforts are helping reduce attacks on merchant vessels. Captain Northwood writes: “Eleven pirates on board with automatic weapons and ro
Royal Navy Flagship HMS Bulwark Visits Poland
From February 15th to 21st, Royal Navy Flagship HMS “Bulwark” was visiting Poland. Two days before entering the port of Gdynia the Flagship was cooperating with the Polish Navy along the Polish coast. On Friday (Feb. 17th at 10 AM), HMS “Bulwark” entered Gdynia. During the weekend the ship was visit
Russia: Severnaya Verf Shipyard to Construct 13 Warships
St. Petersburg based JSC Severnaya Verf Shipyard has been contracted by the Defense Ministry to construct 13 warships for the Russian Navy. The contract includes construction of six corvettes of the Project 20385 and the Project 20380, six Project 22350 frigates and a reconnaissance ship. Official k
France: Lynx Helicopter Lands on FREMM Frigate for First Time
DCNS has achieved formal qualification of the FREMM frigate Aquitaine‘s flight deck for operations with the Lynx helicopter. This milestone was reached several months ahead of schedule after a successful deck landing campaign at sea, organised by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) in early