Defense Strategies
US, Romanian Navy Ships Conduct NATO Underway Engagements in Black Sea
The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with ships from the Romanian Navy in the Black Sea, April 23. “The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilit
French Warship to Enter Black Sea
An F70 type anti-submarine frigate of the French Navy, the Dupleix, will enter the Black Sea this weekend, according to Russian news agency ITAR-TASS. The frigate will replace the US Navy’s destroyer USS Donald Cook, which is currently positioned in the western part of the Black Sea. Arrival of th
UK: HMS Blyth Rescues Stricken Men
HMS Blyth, which left her base port at Faslane for a three-month NATO deployment to the Mediterranean, has rescued two stricken men after their Wayfarer dinghy capsized off Ailsa Craig late yesterday afternoon. The two men, thought to be in their late 20s, had set out from Largs on Tuesday, April
HMS Quorn, RFA Cardigan Bay Represent Royal Navy at DIMDEX
HMS Quorn has been flying the flag for the Royal Navy at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX). The Portsmouth based minehunter, currently deployed in Bahrain, was representing the Royal Navy along with Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Cardigan Bay as part of a
Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE Heads to Baltic Sea
On Tuesday, 22 April 2014, Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) deployed to the Baltic Sea to enhance maritime security and demonstrate the Alliance’s commitment to the safety and security of Baltic member States. The group is composed of the Norwegian flagship HNoMS VALKYRIEN,
USS Taylor to Enter Black Sea Today
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50), homeported in Mayport, Fla., will enter the Black Sea April 22 to promote peace and stability in the region. The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law. Taylor’s mi
Multi-Ship Replenishment at Sea off Horn of Africa
Whilst conducting counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa different nations from different task forces often meet. In this case the US supply ship USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53 provided two flagships with fuel. FGS Brandenburg flagship of the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation At
Keel Laid for Indonesian Navy’s SIGMA Frigate
In accordance with the agreed planning in the contract for the construction of a Damen SIGMA Frigate for the Indonesian Navy, the keel laying ceremony took place on 16 April 2014 at the PT PAL (Persero) Shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia. The construction of the 4 modules that are going to be built a
ESPS Cristobal Colon Engages with Royal Omani Navy, EU NAVFOR
This past weekend, NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, ESPS CRISTOBAL COLON, engaged with the Royal Omani Navy and the European Union Naval Force’s (EUNAVFOR) counter-piracy task force commander (CTF-465) following a port visit to Salalah, Oman. COLON departed Salalah on Saturday 12 April 2014 and con
EU Navfor, NATO Force Commanders Meet at Sea
The Force Commander of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, met with his counterpart from the Counter Piracy Mission Operation Ocean Shield, Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz Del Rio. Both Admirals met on the NATO Flagship, the Spanish frigate ESPS Cristob
US, NATO Voice Concern over Increased Violence in Ukraine
The United States is concerned about reports of increased violence in Ukraine, and continues to call on Russia to de-escalate the situation, Pentagon officials said yesterday (April 15). Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen echoed the U.S. concern during a media availability in
EU NAVFOR Force Commander Visits HS Psara
On 11 April the Force Commander of EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, visited the first ship of his task force since he took over command. The Hellenic frigate HS Psara, which has been part of EU Naval Force since February 2014, is participating i
USS Donald Cook Welcomes Romanian President on Board
The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) welcomed aboard Romanian President Traian Bsescu while the ship was in port in Constanta, April 14. Bsescu was met by members of the U.S. Embassy and Donald Cook’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Jones. He was then given a tour of
UK: Exercise Joint Warrior 2014 Concludes
Royal Navy ships, submarines and aircraft together with NATO partners have completed the first Exercise Joint Warrior for 2014 off the coast of Scotland. The flagship Joint Warrior training exercise has been the most complicated and largest exercise with 33 ships trained, 3 submarines, 48 fixed wi