On Monday, 8 September, EU Naval Force Belgian frigate, BNS Leopold I, conducted a replenishment at sea with the German support ship FGS Berlin in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). As the ships sailed close to each other, maintenance equipment was transferred from FGS Berlin
The entire UK Navy Board – the body responsible for running the Royal UK Navy – squeezed into two of the Navy’s smallest vessels for a rare day together at sea. Eight Admirals – including First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas – a Royal Marine Major General, two Commodores and several support
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) transited the Bosphorus Strait departing the Black Sea, Sept. 12, after conducting a series of engagements designed to promote peace and stability in the region. Ross’ presence in the Black Sea served to demonstrate the United Stat
Ships from various countries are underway in formation during Sea Breeze 2014. Sea Breeze is a multinational maritime exercise with naval forces participants from Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, Turkey, Latvia, and the U.S., as well as ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, Task Unit 02, conducti
Construction of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of two new aircraft carriers for the UK Royal Navy, has moved forward with the docking of two of the ship’s largest hull sections – Lower Block 02 and Lower Block 03. The movement of the blocks into the dock at Rosyth marks the beginning of […
The Danish Defence Select Committee visited NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) yesterday as part of a broader program of visits to UK-based commands. Discussions at MARCOM focused on maritime operations, including NATO counter-terrorism Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the Mediterranean and counte
On Tuesday 4 September the 32nd wing of the Italian Air Force, which operates the remote controlled aircraft known as Predator, completed their first tasking with the EU Naval Force. The Italian Predator team, which is based in Djibouti, carried out a successful 11 hour check test flight and was a
Saturday, in conjunction with a port visit by Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO (SNMCMG2), Chief of Staff, NATO Allied Maritime Command, Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio met with Vice Admiral Mohamed Laghmari, Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy, and his staff to discuss numerous issues of sh
Between 6 – 7 September, the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando took the opportunity to embark HNLMS Van Speijk and BNS Leopold I. Both frigates recently joined the EU Naval Force to conduct EU counter-piracy operations and they will remain in the area of operations off the coast of Soma
Visitors flocked to a flotilla of NATO warships when Cardiff hosted a Meet the Forces day – although those stepping aboard HMS Duncan were confronted by one of the most dangerous aliens in the universe. Six ships – including the Royal Navy’s latest front-line Type 45 destroyer – were berthed in Ca
Prince Charles has visited the Royal UK Navy’s newest warship HMS Duncan in Cardiff as he arrived for the NATO summit reception. As Admiral of the Fleet, Prince Charles wore his Naval uniform and was shown around the state-of-the-art Type-45 destroyer which is the sixth and final of its class. Whi
Marine Helicopter Crashes in the Gulf of Aden A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) crashed at 2:00 p.m. (GMT), yesterday, at sea in the Gulf of Aden as it attempted to land aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). HMS Queen Elizabeth Unde
Exercise Sea Breeze 2014 (SB14), a multinational maritime exercise in the Black Sea, is set to start Sept. 8, as representatives from five participating nations and Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO Task Unit 02 (SNMG2 TU.02) will gather at sea aboard the USS Ross (DDG 71) for the exercise’s opening
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit, Sept. 5. Ross’ presence in Romania reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and partners, while working toward mutual goals of promoti