Defense Strategies
HMS Bulvark Helps Promote UK Industry
HMS Bulwark hosted a Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID), sponsored by UK Trade and Industry (UKTI), on her recent visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Plymouth based Fleet Flagship, currently in the Gulf leading the Response Force Task Group’s Cougar 13 deployment, invited eight
UAE: RFTG Completes Exercise Sea Kahnjar
The third major exercise of Cougar 13 has just ended on the shores of the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group has completed Sea Khanjar – a five day exercise culminating in a large amphibious demonstration for gathered visitors. Watching on were guests including: Major G
ITS Libeccio Takes Over from ITS Zeffiro
On 6th of October, whilst in the Indian Ocean ITS Zeffiro handed over the Italian commitment to the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta to ITS Libeccio. The counter-piracy duties were handed over in Djibouti from Commander Marco Antoniazzi (ITS Zeffiro) to his successor
EU NAVFOR Confirms Super Tanker Safe After Attack by Suspect Pirates off Somali Coast
EU Naval Force confirmed that on Friday 11 October 2013, a fully laden super tanker, known as a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), was fired upon by eight armed men in two ‘skiffs’ 230 miles off the Somali coast. The attack was successfully repelled by the Armed Security Team on board the super tanker
Commander, US 6th Fleet Changes Command
Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples Capodichino in Naples, Italy, Oct. 11, in front of distinguished guests, friends, family and shipmates. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Phil Davidson relieved Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe as commander, U.S. 6t
UK: Royal Navy Frigates Ready for Joint Warrior
Royal Navy frigates and Mine-Hunters are ready to take part in the major multi-national military exercise Joint Warrior. Exercise Joint Warrior is a tri-service exercise held in the spring and autumn of each year. Providing high quality tactical training for the three UK armed forces, as well as vis
Royal Navy Lynx Lights Up Mediterranean Sunset
As HMS Dragon patrols the Eastern Mediterranean her Lynx helicopter breathes fire into the sunset sky with a stunning array of decoy flares. One of the Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyers, HMS Dragon has arrived back from the Gulf and is now in the Eastern Med, patrolling UK sovereign base areas and ta
Spain: ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ to Assume Command over SNMG-2
The frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) departed Ferrol yesterday morning towards Barcelona to relieve the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ (F-103) as command ship of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2). The SNMG-2 is made up of escorts and logistic ships from different NATO nations. Spanish Navy Rear-a
ESPS Meteoro, EUCAP Nestor Conduct Diving Training with Djiboutian Navy, CG
On Friday 4 October, during their recent visit to the Port of Djibouti, EU Naval Force warship ESPS Meteoro conducted a diving exercise with the Djiboutian Navy and Coastguard, organised in cooperation with EUCAP Nestor. The Djiboutian Forces and EUCAP Nestor team were welcomed on board by the Comma
Commanders from MCF, EU NAVFOR and NATO Met Aboard HNLMS Johan de Witt
On Saturday 5 October, the counter piracy Force Commanders from Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the EU Naval Force and NATO met at sea off the Somali Coast on board the EU Naval Force flagship, HNLMS Johan de Witt. The aim of the meeting was to review the current and future situation concerning pira
The Mediterranean: Brilliant Mariner 2013 Gains Momentum
One week into the exercise, Brilliant Mariner 2013 is gaining momentum and Task Force 445 (TF445) is keeping pace. So far, the units participating in the exercise have been conducting “serialised” exercises, ranging from gunnery practise to anti-submarine and anti-aircraft drills. This helped the 23
US Navy’s First JHSV Passes IOT&E
The Navy’s first Joint High Speed Vessel, USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), successfully completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) end-to-end event, NAVSEA announced Oct. 3. This test represents the last event in the JHSV program’s IOT&E schedule, a series of post-delivery test and trials
ITS Zeffiro Conducts Friendly Approach
On Tuesday 1 October 2013, Italian warship ITS Zeffiro conducted a Friendly Approach with a Yemeni dhow in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. ITS Zeffiro sent a Djiboutian linguist with the warship’s security team to the dhow in order to investigate the nature of the crew’s activities. The security tea
Australian Ships Enter into Sydney Harbour, International Fleet Review Kicks Off
Australian Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced the entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney Harbour for the International Fleet Review. Senator Johnston said the International Fleet Review was planned in partnership with the NSW Government and the City of Sydney a