In the afternoon of 15 December 2012, the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie intercepted one skiff with five suspected pirates on board. While underway to the probable pirates’ operating area, the Swedish EU NAVFOR maritime patrol aircraft (MPRA) was able to locate the suspi
Sailors from frigate HMS Richmond have been put through their paces with a disaster relief exercise under the watchful eye of Flag Officer Sea Training in Devonport. HMS Richmond has spent the last five weeks conducting Basic Operational Sea Training (BOST) under the expert instruction of the Flag O
HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy’s largest warship which played a starring role during the London 2012 Olympics, will receive a £65M upgrade (USD 104.8), the MoD announced on December 12. Work on the helicopter carrier, which was moored on the Thames during the Games and provided essential security support
Last week 10 students from Birmingham University Royal Navy Unit made the 50 mile journey to RAF Shawbury for a flying afternoon. To complicate matters, this was to take up an invitation from a Navy Lieutenant helicopter instructor (Lt Ben Brazenell) with an Army Squadron (660 Army Air Corp Squadron
Eagerly awaited by family, friends and colleagues, HNLMS Van Amstel came into its home port of Den Helder. During the past 3 months, the multi-purpose frigate acted as the Royal Netherlands Navy guard ship in the Caribbean. In addition to providing a maritime presence, the CARIB guard ship’s main ta
Plymouth based Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll welcomed on board her sponsor, Lady Wendy Levene, and members of the her affiliated Livery Company, The Worshipful Company of Paviors on Thu 06 December 12. Lady Levene launched HMS Argyll in 1989 at Yarrow Shipyard and has participated in the commissioni
Sailors on board a Royal Navy warship for the festive season are being kept on their toes as they knuckle down to a five¬month stint in the Indian Ocean and Middle East. Devonport based frigate HMS Northumberland has recently taken over from her sister ship HMS Sutherland as one of two British friga
There was some pre-Christmas cheer in the air at RNAS Yeovilton as the Base welcomed back 120 personnel and four Sea Kings, from Commando Helicopter Force which have been deployed in the Mediterranean on the Royal Navy’s biggest exercise this year, `Cougar 12’. The Junglie Force have been operating
Britain’s newest operational warship HMS Diamond traded places with HMS Monmouth as the latter relieved the Type 45 destroyer as the Royal Navy’s Gulf guardian. The two ships met up in the Gulf of Aden, where Diamond formally handed over responsibilities to the Black Duke before beginning the long r
HMS Westminster saved the best ‘Movember’ moustache for last. On the final day of the month urging men to grow ‘taches to raise awareness of men’s health issues, the crew unveiled the ship’s Lynx helicopter complete with a giant moustache… and bushy eyebrows. If you thought the RAF had the monopoly
The Royal Navy has described how the combination of a Type 23 frigate fitted with Thales UK’s Sonar 2087 and a Merlin helicopter equipped with the Thales FLASH dipping sonar has delivered an outstanding anti-submarine warfare capability. HMS Northumberland, sailing as part of the UK’s Response Force
The amphibious warship HMS Bulwark returned to her home base of Plymouth last week after two months with the largest Royal Naval deployment of the year in the Mediterranean. The command and control ship led the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) on Exercise Cougar 12, consisting of the helicopter
The Navy’s key autumn deployment draws to a close with the man in charge delighted it has laid firm foundations for future task groups – and especially Anglo-French co-operation. The two capital ships in the UK’s Response Force Task Group – flagship HMS Bulwark and helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious
The amphibious warship HMS Bulwark is due to return to the South West of England today (Friday) after two-months with the largest Royal Naval deployment of the year in the Mediterranean. The Plymouth-based assault ship is due to berth at about midday tomorrow in HM Naval Base Devonport. The command
