Aviation
Bataan ARG enters 6th Fleet AOO
U.S. Navy’s Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), together with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations on March 7. While in theater, more than 4,000 sailors and marines of the ARG and MEU will train to share information, experiences, and work together.
Australian Navy showcases its new vertical take-off UAV at Avalon
The Royal Australian Navy’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit (UASU) showcased the navy’s newly acquired Schiebel Camcopter S-100 vertical take-off UAV at the Avalon airshow that concluded on March 5. The UASU is tasked with trialing and testing two different unmanned aircraft types – the ScanEagle (fi
US Navy deploys mine countermeasure UUV from helicopter
The U.S. Navy recently demonstrated a new mine sweeping technique during a test in which a MH-60S helicopter deployed a MK-18 Mod 2 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). This demonstration proved a possible lighter, less time intensive way to sweep for mines in theatre, compared to a MH-53E helicopter
Royal Navy flagship makes a rare stop in Beirut
Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean visited Beirut en route home, becoming the first Royal Navy vessel in five years to visit the Lebanese capital. The helicopter carrier arrived in Lebanon on March 4 having concluded a six-month deployment in the Middle East. Ocean’s captain, Capt Rob Pedre, was joined b
USS Bonhomme Richard visits White Beach
U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, on March 4. During the port visit, the ship will embark Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), along with their vehicles and cargo, prior to departing for a routine patrol. “We are go
Trump promises “great rebuilding” of US military on visit to Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)
U.S. president Donald J. Trump visited the U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, future Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in what was seen by many as a push for military procurement. The president landed on the flight deck on Thursday on Marine One accompanied by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. They were wel
Royal Navy Lynx fires final Sea Skua missiles
A Lynx helicopter embarked on the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Portland carried out one final Sea Skua anti-ship missile firing. Royal Navy will no longer be using the Sea Skua missile as the Lynx helicopters carrying it are set to retire in March. This will leave the Royal Navy with a helicopte
Spanish frigate joins SNMG1
Spanish Navy frigate Reina Sofía (F-84) departed naval base Rota on February 27 to integrate into the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1). During the two and a half-month mission, the Spanish frigate will participate in several training activities with other NATO units, among them exercise Join
USS Coronado returns to port after brief underway
U.S. Navy littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) returned to Changi Naval Base in Singapore, Feb. 25 following a port call in Muara, Brunei and routine patrols in the Sulu Sea and South China Sea. After completing the four-day port visit in Brunei, Coronado conducted a passing exercise and visit,
US Navy’s Japan-based amphibious assault ship starts Asia patrol
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, departed Sasebo, Japan for a regularly-scheduled patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility on February 27. Bonhomme Richard is scheduled to finalize shipboard certifications and conduct joint force operation
Australian landing helicopter dock reaches another aviation milestone
In a new aviation milestone, Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra will be embarking two Army Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters for the first time. The two Tigers, will join two MRH-90 Taipan medium lift helicopters and one MH-60R Seahawk conducting first of class flight trials onboard the amph
Royal Navy of Oman hosts U.S., France, U.K. for exercises
Over ten ships from four nations are participating in the annual, Royal Navy of Oman-hosted exercise Khunjar Haad that takes place in the Gulf of Oman. Ships from the Royal Navy of Oman are joined by U.S., French and Royal Navy ships in gunnery and air defense exercises aimed at maintaining the sail
After sea trials, HMS Westminster switches to war drills
Having completed sea trials in January following a two-year refit, Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster and her crew started combat readiness drills. The frigate has flashed up her main gun for the first time in two years – putting down 23 rounds a minute – and welcomed a submarine-hunting M
Indian Coast Guard commissions fourth Samarth-class OPV
The Indian Coast Guard commissioned the fourth of six offshore patrol vessels in Goa on February 21. Named Shaunak, the 105-meter vessel was commissioned at Goa Shipyards Limited facilities, which is in charge of designing and building these vessels. Shaunak is fitted with a 30 mm CRN 91 naval gun,