US Navy ships centered around the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) returned to US 6th Fleet operations after completing a four day port visit to Souda Bay, Crete, May 23-27. The aircraft carrier docked at the US naval base in Souda Bay while Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Bulkeley do
The US Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock ship, USS Portland (LPD 27), arrived in Pearl Harbor May 29 for combat systems ship qualification trials. During its time in the 3rd Fleet, the ship is also scheduled to take part in the large international exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). Portland
A team of Australian scientists will be evaluating the possibility of using UV technology in the fight against biofouling which slows ships down and increases their fuel consumption. The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Australian Department of Defence Science and Technology (DS
Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Victoria pulled into the Haifa port on May 25 for her first ever visit to Israel. The 31-year-old Santa Maria-class frigate arrived in Haifa together with Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan for a weekend port call. The two ships are currently deployed to NATO’s Standin
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne departed her home port of Fleet Base East bound to start a seven month deployment to the South West Pacific and North East Asia. Melbourne’s deployment will include participation in the second iteration of Indo-Pacific Endeavour, exercise Kakadu in Austra
The upcoming flagship NATO exercise Trident Juncture 2018 is expected to be one of the largest ever with 40,000 personnel, around 120 aircraft and as many as 70 ships converging this fall in Norway. Compared to the 2015 edition of the exercise which was said to be “the largest NATO exercise in a dec
A US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and a Ticonderoga-class cruiser sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China in a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) on May 27. USS Higgins (DDG-76) and USS Antietam (CG-54) sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands, which are control
The Estonian-hosted mine warfare drill Open Spirit concluded in the Baltic Sea on May 25. The two-week multinational naval mine clearance and ordnance disposal operation took place in two main areas – around Tallin, and around the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumma. In addition to ships from Baltic sta
The US Navy has marked the 50th anniversary of the loss of attack submarine USS Scorpion (SSN 589) in a ceremony at the Scorpion Memorial on Norfolk Naval Station. On May 26, family members, friends, and submariners past and present gathered at the memorial to honor the memory of the 99 sailors lost
The Australian branch of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Adelaide to develop a collaborative program of education and research co-operation. CETENA, a subsidiary company of Fincantieri, which undertakes research a
The Royal Navy has taken delivery of the first upgraded Commando Merlin Mk4 which has been designed for Royal Marine aircraft carrier operations. The helicopters are being upgraded to a faster and more powerful aircraft than their predecessors. With a new maritime grey coat, a folding main rotor and
US president Donald Trump awarded retired Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Britt Slabinski with the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony held May 24. Slabinski was awarded for his actions while leading a team under heavy effective enemy fire in an attempt to rescue teammate Petty Officer First
The US defense department has decided to withdraw its invitation for China to take part in the upcoming large-scale exercise Rim of the Pacific in Hawaii. This was announced by Pentagon spokesman Marine Lt. Col. Christopher Logan who said the decision was part of the US response to China’s actions i
A 2015 expedition aboard the Colombian Navy research ship ARC Malpelo discovered the famous shipwreck of 300-year-old Spanish ship San José which is believed to have sunk with a cargo gold, silver, and emeralds worth billions of dollars. The shipwreck was discovered on November Nov. 27, 2015, but Wo
