NATO on April 23rd announced additional measures in a bid to reassure NATO allies who feel threatened by the crisis in Ukraine. The Netherlands has declared that it is willing to contribute to these measures. A Dutch minehunter will be sent to the Baltic on a training mission. In addition, the Net
The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with ships from the Romanian Navy in the Black Sea, April 23. “The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilit
An F70 type anti-submarine frigate of the French Navy, the Dupleix, will enter the Black Sea this weekend, according to Russian news agency ITAR-TASS. The frigate will replace the US Navy’s destroyer USS Donald Cook, which is currently positioned in the western part of the Black Sea. Arrival of th
Exercise Obangame Express 2014, the multinational maritime exercise in the Gulf of Guinea, concluded April 23. Obangame Express, which began April 16, provided African, European and Atlantic partner naval forces the opportunity to work together, refine tactics, and improve cooperation in order to
HMS Blyth, which left her base port at Faslane for a three-month NATO deployment to the Mediterranean, has rescued two stricken men after their Wayfarer dinghy capsized off Ailsa Craig late yesterday afternoon. The two men, thought to be in their late 20s, had set out from Largs on Tuesday, April
On Tuesday, 22 April 2014, Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) deployed to the Baltic Sea to enhance maritime security and demonstrate the Alliance’s commitment to the safety and security of Baltic member States. The group is composed of the Norwegian flagship HNoMS VALKYRIEN,
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50), homeported in Mayport, Fla., will enter the Black Sea April 22 to promote peace and stability in the region. The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law. Taylor’s mi
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s submarine, HNLMS Walrus, paid a visit to the Port of Tyne over the Easter weekend, according to the Shields Gazette. This is the first time in 10 years that a submarine has visited the Port’s Northumbrian Quay. The submarine was not opened to the public during her four
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) Christened The christening ceremony of the first Zumwalt-class destroyer, the USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), took place at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard located in Bath, Maine on 12 April, 2014. Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Ray Mabus, and other honored guests attended the
Whilst conducting counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa different nations from different task forces often meet. In this case the US supply ship USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53 provided two flagships with fuel. FGS Brandenburg flagship of the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation At
In accordance with the agreed planning in the contract for the construction of a Damen SIGMA Frigate for the Indonesian Navy, the keel laying ceremony took place on 16 April 2014 at the PT PAL (Persero) Shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia. The construction of the 4 modules that are going to be built a
This past weekend, NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, ESPS CRISTOBAL COLON, engaged with the Royal Omani Navy and the European Union Naval Force’s (EUNAVFOR) counter-piracy task force commander (CTF-465) following a port visit to Salalah, Oman. COLON departed Salalah on Saturday 12 April 2014 and con
The Force Commander of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, met with his counterpart from the Counter Piracy Mission Operation Ocean Shield, Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz Del Rio. Both Admirals met on the NATO Flagship, the Spanish frigate ESPS Cristob
The Royal Netherlands Navy is due to return to the Port of Tyne with the visit of the submarine HNLMS Walrus (Friday 18 April). The 68m long submarine will spend four days at the Port’s Northumbrian Quay in North Shields, while her 50 strong crew will enjoy time in the North East. The Royal [&hell