The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class frigate, RSS Formidable, is making a port call at the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Yokosuka Naval Base from 22 to 27 Aug 2012. The port call saw an exchange of ship visits between the personnel of the two navies. Prior to the
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the departure of the hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) new amphibious ships from Ferrol in northern Spain. Mr Clare said the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 01 hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heav
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
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
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
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 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
The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier returned to its forward-operating port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, July 26, to conclude the first half of its 2012 patrol. USS George Washington (CVN 73) and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, traveled more than 10,800 nautical m
Despite the rough seas and howling wind, the crew on HMAS Perth battled the elements to conduct a Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with the United States Naval Ship Matthew Perry. With just 50 metres between the two ships, extreme precision is required to keep both ships steady on the same course and main
The “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP)8 took part in a coordinated operations mining exercise (MINEX) with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), July 19. The exercise took place in northern Japan’s Mutsu Bay and consisted of VP-8 and JMDSF P-3C Orion aircraft operating with the Av
HMAS Darwin departed Pearl Harbor on 10 July, signalling the start of high end war fighting maritime serials as part of Exercise RIMPAC 2012. Belonging to the Carrier Strike Group, Darwin will work in company with aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, as well as RSS Formidable from Singapore, HMCS Ottawa fro
Insitu Pacific, the Australia-based subsidiary of Insitu Inc., announced on July 9 that it was awarded a contract to provide its ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The delivery of these systems will be accompanied by training, logistics and ship install
Australian sailors, soldiers, airmen and women have joined defence forces from 21 other nations, including France, Canada and Russia, for Exercise RIM-OF-THE-PACIFIC (RIMPAC 12) in the islands of Hawaii. Approximately 1100 Australian Defence personnel are among 25,000 personnel participating in the
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the launch of the second Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) at the Navantia shipyard in Spain. The launch represented a major milestone in the shipbuilding process and was attended by the Chief of Navy, Vice
