Earlier this week during a port-call at Dar es Salaam the Spanish Ocean Patrol Vessel ESPS ‘Meteoro’, as part of the EU Naval Froce (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta has carried out a series of trainings with personnel from the Tanzanian Navy as part of the Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMC
More than twenty destroyers, corvettes, frigates, submarines and patrol vessels from four different NATO nations have taken part in the Turkish exercise ‘Dogu Akdeniz 2013’ in the Eastern Mediterranean. The exercise contemplated an asymmetric threat scenario where the participating units trained in
For two days, 20 Heads of Navy, 54 international delegations and 127 distinguished guests; including General Philip Breedlove USA AF, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, will gather under the auspices of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the maritime
The Netherlands is to continue participating in the counterpiracy mission off the coast of Somalia for another year, until the end of 2014. This was decided by the government last week. From February to mid-May, the Netherlands will deploy the air-defence and command (ADC) frigate HNLMS Evertsen for
During the past week, two European Union missions, EUCAP Nestor and EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, have worked together on two operations for the benefit of the Somaliland Coast Guard. The first operation involved the transportation and handing over of five 4-wheel-drive vehi
Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Admiral Yurii Ilyin is participating in the Maritime Commanders Meeting (MARCOMET). The conference is aimed at learning and discussing the key aspects of defense policy and security of the Alliance concept, information on current and prospect NATO-led naval operations
On Monday, NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD warship UPS HETMAN SAGAIDACHNY of Ukraine boarded a skiff with seven suspected pirates aboard in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). As the Ukrainian boarding team approached, the skiff tried to escape and suspected pirates
The Ukrainian Navy corvette Ternopil led by Capt. 3rd Rank Oleg Grygoriev completed all the tasks in the Mediterranean Sea assigned within the NATO anti-terrorist operation Active Endeavor and is now en route to Sevastopol. The crew of the Ukrainian military ship completed the practical actions on m
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) while the ship was moored in Souda Bay, Greece, Nov. 15. While aboard, he promoted six Ramage Sailors, presented Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pins to seven others, reenl
The Italian Frigate ITS Libeccio, which is currently deployed with the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, has provided medical assistance to a dhow in need of help near the Horn of Africa. During a patrol flight, one of the helicopters of ITS Libeccio spotted a dhow t
Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday ordered HMS Illustrious to make for the Philippines to help out in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. The helicopter carrier heads east with destroyer HMS Daring just a day away from the worst-affected area ready to begin her relief mission. Helicopter carrier HMS Ill
On Tuesday November 12, marines of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, embarked on the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atlanta flagship, HNLMS Johan de Witt, have executed a parachute jump exercise in the Gulf of Aden. The marines are part of the Enhanced Boarding Element of HNLMS Johan
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus made a brief stop in Moron, Spain, Nov. 14, to meet with Marines assigned to the Special Purpose – Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SP-MAGTF) Crisis Response unit. During his short time in Moron, Mabus ate breakfast with Marines prior to touring the SP-MAGTF facilities.
More than 200 participants including representatives from African nations, the shipping industry, legal experts and NATO discussed the continuing threat of piracy off the eastern African coast at an international conference held in Djibouti this week. The meeting was the 15th Plenary of the Contact