Korea Opts for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Aircraft The Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. USS Elrod Takes Over Escort Duties of Libyan Seized Tanker The U.S. Navy’s USS Elrod relieved the USS Stout of
Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz del Río, Commander of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) currently participating in operation ‘Ocean Shield’ fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean, welcomed Rear-admiral Kevin M. Sweeney, Commander of the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group 10. The two flagships, the Sp
On Friday, 21 March 2014, HNLMS EVERTSEN delivered a badly injured civilian mariner to a Seychelles hospital after two days’ medical treatment at sea. The incident began Wednesday afternoon, when EVERTSEN received information that a crew member of the French fishing vessel BELOUVE was badly injure
One of the key elements of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy operation in the waters of the Horn of Africa is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). These long-range, capable aircraft conduct aerial patrols over the sea areas where pirates are known to operate and can provide earl
The U.S. Navy’s first joint, high-speed vessel, USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), participated with 12 West African and European partner nations in the fourth year of Exercise Saharan Express in the waters off West Africa, March 10-14. Exercise Saharan Express is one of four African regional exercises, cal
Earlier this month, a delegation from Yemen’s Coast Guard and Navy, headed by Colonel Abdul-Hafed Al-Wali, paid a visit to the Commander of NATO’s Counter-Piracy Task Force 508 (CTF-508), Rear Admiral (ESP N) Eugenio Diaz del Rio. The meeting took place on board ESPS ALVARO DE BAZAN which is curre
Spanish warship Alvaro De Bazan, NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, took part in an air defence training drill in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday (5 March 2014) in order to maintain its readiness to tackle any challenge on the high seas, including deterrance of Somali pirates. French air force fighters
During the last week, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta warships FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado have carried out several ‘Friendly Approaches’ in the Gulf of Aden. In addition to patrols in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocea
In early March, the warship ITS MIMBELLI, currently deployed in support of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, wrapped up a port visit to Antisiranana, Madagascar. The purpose of the visit was to pursue the ongoing cooperation with the Malagasy authorities in efforts to eliminate sea pir
Naval forces from the United States, along with African and European maritime partners, commenced the fourth annual multinational exercise Saharan Express 2014, March 6. Exercise Saharan Express 2014, being held in waters off West Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperat
A recent Operation Atalanta medal parade held in Djibouti marked the end of the Serbian Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments (AVPD) tenure with the EU Naval Force. The Operation Atalanta medal parade was conducted by the Officer in Charge of the Djibouti Support Element Atalanta (SEA) Commande
NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, the Alvaro De Bazan participated in an air defence training drill in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday (5 March 2014) meant to keep the ship’s crew ready for any challenge on the high seas, including their mission to deter Somali pirates. The Spanish vessel also current
On Sunday, 2 March 2014, NATO’s counter-piracy task force Commander, Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz del Rio, paid a visit to HNLMS EVERTSEN, currently deployed with Operation OCEAN SHIELD. This was the first time the Admiral went on board the Dutch warship since she joined the operation on 7 December 201
On Thursday, 27 February 2014, NATO’s counter piracy warship TCG GELİBOLU (F-493) concluded a visit to Dar es Salaam to reinforce relationships with Tanzanian Navy and to support regional capacity building efforts. During the 3-day port visit, the Commanding Officer of TCG GELIBOLU, Commander Olca
