Sailors on HMS Westminster were treated to a meteorological phenomenon as their frigate took on fuel from tanker RFA Wave Knight in the Western Approaches. The two ships linked up in rough seas for the second time in little over a week as Westminster continued exercising and training, this time in c
For the second time this year HMS Illustrious launched Army Apache gunships to fire live Hellfire missiles as the helicopters let rip on the ranges off Gibraltar. Seven tank-busting missiles were successfully fired by the Apaches as the carrier headed west having completed her part in the Royal Navy
RFA Argus broke off from drug-busting duties in the Caribbean to deliver disaster relief aid to Jamaicans so they can repair more than 70 schools damaged by Superstorm Sandy last month. Although the local authorities dealt with the immediate aftermath of the storm, Argus carries also supplies which
Danish Ministry of Defence has chosen MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace its maritime helicopter fleet. The main contractors for the USD 686 million deal are Sikorsky (air vehicle) and Lockheed Martin (mission systems), the Ministry announced in a Decision from November 21. Karup-based Royal Dani
There’s a change of hands in the Indian Ocean as HMS Sutherland has been replaced by her sister Northumberland – as Britain’s constant effort to choke pirates, smugglers and other criminal activity continues. The Fighting Clan is homeward bound for Devonport in time for Christmas after five months e
During the night on 21 November, French warship FS Dupleix, operating as part of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) – Operation Atalanta, was patrolling along the northern coast of Somalia, when she was directed by the EU NAVFOR flagship to provide assistance to a Yemeni dhow – ‘Al Fahad’. T
Although part of the ongoing Cougar 12 deployment to the Mediterranean, HMS Montrose was detached from the main Cougar Task Group for two weeks to visit Algiers, the capital and major port of the North African country of Algeria for two days in mid-November. The purpose of her visit, the first by a
The Navy’s constant guardian of the Falklands welcomed royalty when the Duke of Kent visited patrol ship HMS Clyde in the lead up to November ceremonies in the remote islands. Despite a busy visit programme centred around the Remembrance Day parade in Stanley on November 11, the Duke was able to fin
Sailors and Royal Marines from HMS Northumberland have carried out final boarding training before they head through the Suez canal to deal with international piracy, terrorism and smuggling. The Devonport-based frigate is making use of NATO ranges and training complex in Crete after completing her d
More than 1500 sailors and marines lined the deck of the Portsmouth-based helicopter carrier as she entered the port of Valetta. As well as an onboard reception for the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the ship will be holding an affiliation event for representatives from Maltese cities – Senglea, Vitto
The crew of the latest of the Royal Navy’s most advanced warships, HMS Dragon, have been rehearsing how to help in a civilian emergency. The latest of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers is in the South West of England training to become fully operational and ready to be deployed. The ship, which ha
A major two-week exercise involving British and Albanian naval forces in the western Balkans ended with Albania’s President, His Excellency Mr Bujar Nishani, visiting HMS Illustrious. Albanian Lion, played out around the southern port city of Vlorë, featured amphibious assaults by sea and air, fast
Plymouth-based Royal Navy warship HMS Monmouth is ready to take over the Royal Navy’s deployment to the Gulf during the winter and spring to maintain the continuous British presence. The Type 23 frigate and crew of 215 left Plymouth earlier this summer and will be policing busy shipping lanes crucia
The Royal and Dutch navies joined forces in the war on drugs when RFA Argus met up with the Netherlands frigate Van Amstel in the Caribbean. As well as combating the illegal narcotics trade, the two ships exchanged personnel and helicopters, and took part in a gunnery shoot. Both ships – Argus is an
