Defense Strategies
USS Vella Gulf Docks in Constanta, Romania
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit, Aug 11. Vella Gulf’s presence in Romania and the Black Sea reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and partners, while working towar
HMS Penzance Docks in New Base Port of Bahrain
HMS Penzance has completed a seven week transit, arriving in her new base port of Bahrain, a journey which covered 6,850 nautical miles in the Monsoon season. She arrived in Bahrain and was met by Captain Philip Warwick, the Deputy United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC). After a 47 da
ITS Andrea Doria Carries Out First Friendly Approach
The new flagship of EU Naval Force ITS Andrea Doria conducted its first friendly approach in the Gulf of Aden. To help strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the EU Naval Force and local seafarers, as well as obtain first hand information about possible piracy incidents in the area, EU
TCG Tuzla, USS Vella Gulf Engage in Black Sea Exercise
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conducted a division tactics exercise with the Turkish navy fast attack craft TCG Tuzla (P 1200) in the Black Sea, Aug. 8. Vella Gulf and Tuzla conducted tactical maneuvering during the exercise. U.S. Navy ships regularly hold sim
ITS MIMBELLI Leaves Operation Ocean Shield
NATO’s Counter-Piracy Mission, Operation Ocean Shield, has bid farewell to the Italian destroyer ITS MIMBELLI. The ITS MIMBELLI left Task Force 508 on Wednesday, 6 August 2014, after a job very well done as part of Operation Ocean Shield. The continuous, main effort of Task Force 508 is keeping co
Lithuania in Charge of SNMCMG1
Lithuania is now in command of Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE. German Navy Commander Gunther Brassel handed over command of SNMCMG1 to Lithuanian Navy Commander Giedrius Premeneckas during a brief ceremony on Thursday, 7 August, 2014. The ceremony was conducted by NATO Allied Mariti
USS Vella Gulf Enters the Black Sea
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) has entered the Black Sea, Aug. 6, to promote peace and stability in the region. Vella Gulf’s mission is to improve interoperability and work toward mutual goals, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening the co
Italian Navy Takes Over Command of Operation Atalanta
On Wednesday 6 August 2014 Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen (German Navy) handed over Force Command of the EU’s counter-piracy Operation Atalanta to Rear Admiral Guido Rando (Italian Navy). Brigadier General Dick Swijgman, who recently assumed the role of Deputy Operation Commander of the EU Naval F
South Korean Frigate, Italian Destroyer Meet in Oman
ITS Francesco Mimbelli continues her engagement in NATO Ocean Shield antipiracy operation in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, within Combined Task Force 508 (CTF 508). Following a long activity at sea, the Italian destroyer’s personnel, during an operational stop at Salalah harbor (Oman), ha
Babcock Tests Fleet Time Activities System
Babcock has successfully trialled a new system for Fleet Time maintenance activities, geared to reducing the burden on ship’s staff (particularly valuable for lean-manned ships) and ensuring optimum safety. The five week trial was undertaken on Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland during her recent
New DCOM of EU Naval Force Somalia Appointed
After seven months, Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy) handed over the role of Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, to Brigadier General Dick Swijgman (Royal Netherlands Navy). The handover took place at the Operational Headquar
UK MoD Supports Future of Maritime Autonomous Systems
The UK Ministry of Defence, through the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and in partnership with a number of associations and industry bodies, is making funding available through four initiatives each addressing different areas of maritime autonomy. Autonomy in Maritime Unmanned Vehicles
EU Force Commander Visited ESPS Navarra
On Friday 25 July 2014 the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, took the opportunity to visit warship, ESPS Navarra. The Spanish Navy frigate recently joined the EU Naval Force and was in close vicinity to the EU flagship, FGS Brandenburg, in the Gulf of Aden. The purpose of the vis
Top News of the Week of July 28 – Aug 1, 2014
DDG 1000 Zumwalt-Class Destroyer Program Continues to Progress The DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer program continues to progress, meeting key program milestones on the path to Initial Operational Capability (IOC). As the prime mission systems integrator for the DDG 1000 ship class, Raytheon provide