In September, HMAS Parramatta’s Flight Deck Team conducted a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) with Spanish replenishment ship ESPS Cantabria while participating in Exercise Triton Centenary 13. What made this VERTREP a special occasion was the use of an MRH-90 helicopter to transfer the stores from
HMS Bulwark hosted a Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID), sponsored by UK Trade and Industry (UKTI), on her recent visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Plymouth based Fleet Flagship, currently in the Gulf leading the Response Force Task Group’s Cougar 13 deployment, invited eight
The third major exercise of Cougar 13 has just ended on the shores of the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group has completed Sea Khanjar – a five day exercise culminating in a large amphibious demonstration for gathered visitors. Watching on were guests including: Major G
When working in a completely different theatre of operations you have to expect the unexpected and this is something the Spanish crew on ESPS Cantabria have learnt during their most recent activities in Australian waters. Not often have the Armada conducted exercises at sea with navies so far from h
The Plymouth-based Royal Naval warship HMS Sutherland visited Germany last weekend. The ship’s diplomatic visit to Hamburg from last Friday was part of the ship’s engagements before she enters a period of re-fit and refit. Official receptions were held on board hosting for Naval Regional Command and
U.S. and Canadian Sailors completed a Task Group Exercise (TGEX), off the coast of Southern California, Oct. 7-11. TGEX is a U.S. and Canadian, multi-warfare exercise designed to train independent deploying ships in various mission areas including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare
A total of 53 Royal Naval reservists are taking part in a tri-Service multi-national exercise off the coast of Scotland. Exercise Joint Warrior is held in the spring and autumn of every year and provides high quality tactical training for the three UK armed forces, as well as visiting units from all
Africa was represented at the International Fleet Review (IFR) by just one ship, but that ship has a history any navy crew could be proud of. Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Thunder, a former Hamilton-class US Coast Guard cutter was gifted to the Nigerian Navy in 2011, after a comprehensive refit. As USCGC
Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral (VAdm) Philip A Jones CB visited the Devonport-based frigate, HMS Montrose, at sea whilst deployed on Op KIPION; the UK’s primary deterrence and presence patrol in the Middle East. At the time of the visit HMS Montrose was operating alongside other UK units, namely HMS
On 6th of October, whilst in the Indian Ocean ITS Zeffiro handed over the Italian commitment to the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta to ITS Libeccio. The counter-piracy duties were handed over in Djibouti from Commander Marco Antoniazzi (ITS Zeffiro) to his successor
The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), October 12, completing a regularly scheduled six-months in the region. The Kearsarge ARG and 26th MEU left Norfolk, Va., in March and entered the U.S. Central
In September, just in time to participate in the International Fleet Review, HMAS Huon returned from four months on deployment, including a 12-week stint on Operation Resolute. The swift deployment was a great achievement for the ship’s company of 46 who deployed on 24-hours notice. CO Huon LCDR Jac
EU Naval Force confirmed that on Friday 11 October 2013, a fully laden super tanker, known as a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), was fired upon by eight armed men in two ‘skiffs’ 230 miles off the Somali coast. The attack was successfully repelled by the Armed Security Team on board the super tanker
The Navy announced on Friday that the christening of the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) originally scheduled for Oct. 19 has been cancelled and postponed until a future date. “It is incredibly unfortunate that we are being forced to cancel the christening ceremony for this great warship,” said Secret