Aviation
Royal Australian Navy helicopters join bushfire rescues
The Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is supporting firefighting efforts on the east coast of Australia, during one of the most dangerous bushfire periods the nation has ever seen. Helicopters from three squadrons based at HMAS Albatross — MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from 816 Squadron, MRH-
Philippine Coast Guard welcomes its newest offshore patrol vessel
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has welcomed its newest offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang. The change of flag ceremony for the 83-meter newbuild was held in Saint Nazaire, France, on December 18, 2019. It follows the OPV-8301’s successful completion of sea trials. The OPV is scheduled to
CMF: Royal Navy destroyer seizes record haul of crystal meth
HMS Defender (D36), a UK Royal Navy destroyer operating in the Gulf of Oman in direct support of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150), has seized 131 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from a dhow. The operation was carried out in the northern Arabian Sea on December 19, 2019, Combined Maritime Force
HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to homeport
The Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group returned home on December 4 after three months in the USA. Following HMS Dragon’s return to Portsmouth earlier this week, the aircraft carrier made her way into Portsmouth – where she was greeted by sister ship HMS Prince of Wales. At the sam
Sailor medevaced from US destroyer off Washington
A Sailor from a US Navy destroyer was medevaced by a Coast Guard aircrew off the coast of Washington on December 3, 2019. As informed, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received an initial request for a medevac from crew members aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ralph Johnso
HMS Queen Elizabeth in anti-submarine warfare drill with Norwegian frigate
The Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently conducting an anti-submarine exercise with a Norwegian frigate in the Western Atlantic. The NATO/anti-submarine warfare training with the Norwegian Navy’s newest frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl, Type 23-class frigate HMS Northumb
New Zealand starts construction of Poseidon base
New Zealand’s defense minister marked the official start of construction works on a new base for the country’s future P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft with a sod-turning ceremony on November 29. The home for the new fleet of submarine-hunting aircraft is being built at RNZAF Base Ohakea. “The
US Navy Boxer amphibious group returns home
The sailors and marines of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned to their homeport of San Diego, Nov. 27, following a successful seven-month deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet operating areas. More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines of the Boxer ARG and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Australian Poseidon concludes first Middle East mission
The Royal Australian Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has completed its first deployment to the Middle East. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said this deployment was a targeted and meaningful element of Australia’s broader contribution to the International
Japan, US Navy conclude major bilateral drill ANNUALEX
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and US Navy assets from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, completed their largest bilateral exercise, ANNUALEX, in the Sea of Japan Nov. 21. From CTF-72, the “Red Lancers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 worked alongside the “World Famous Pelicans” of VP-45 dur
HMS Prince of Wales arrives at Portsmouth homeport for first time
HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s second aircraft carrier, sailed into her homeport of Portsmouth for the first time on November 16. It is the second time in two years the city has welcomed one of the UK’s new carriers, following HMS Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in August 2017. Captain Darren Houst
Australian Navy Canberra-class LHDs achieve full operational capability
The Royal Australian Navy’s two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks (LHDs) and their associated landing craft have achieved final operational capability. The entire amphibious capability acquired under Joint Project 2048 – including HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra, their 12 landing craft and amp
Australian Navy’s final air warfare destroyer completes trials
The Royal Australian Navy’s third and final air warfare destroyer, future HMAS Sydney, has completed sea trials and should be ready for delivery in February 2020. Sydney is the third and final ship being delivered by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which includes the defense department, Raytheon
US Navy to christen its twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport ship
The US Navy will christen its newest Expeditionary Fast Transport, the future USNS Newport (T-EPF 12), during a ceremony at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, on November 9. “This ship honors the city of Newport, Rhode Island, and serves as a reminder of the contributions the community has