Defense Strategies
UK: Three Merlin Helicopters Prepare to Weave Its Magic in Massive Mediterranean Sub Hunt
Three Merlin helicopters will go a-hunting off Sicily this weekend as they join the biggest anti-submarine exercise in western Europe. The aircraft, plus 75 personnel from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, are Britain’s contribution to NATO’s Proud Manta, a two-week war game involving the forces of ten All
Swedish Coast Guard MPRA Aircraft Completes Contribution to EU Naval Force
The Swedish Coast Guard MPRA aircraft left the Seychelles on 15 February 2013 after a productive four month deployment to the Seychelles as part of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta. The Swedish coastguard Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, joined the operation in October 2012 and lef
UK: HMS Exploit Ventures on Sea Weekend
HMS Exploit ventured up the River Avon to the bustling port of Bristol on Sea Weekend Number 8 of the 2012-2013 academic year during a cold, crisp and sunny February weekend. Exploit, tender to Birmingham University Royal Navy Unit (URNU) berthed in the port’s Cumberland Basin at the high profile Ar
Polish, French Navies Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Maritime Security
Expanding cooperation in the field of maritime security was the main subject discussed during another set of bilateral staff talks between Polish and French Navies on February 14 in Gdynia (Poland). Vice admiral Ryszard Demczuk, Deputy Commander of the Polish Navy and Rear admiral Charles-Henri du C
UK Admiral Assumes Command over NATO Maritime Headquarters
On February 14, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CBE (UK Navy), took over command of the NATO Maritime Headquarters during a brief ceremony in Northwood, London. He takes over at a time of major change within NATO which sees Northwood as the Alliance’s sole maritime command with command of the range of NAT
Australian, Spanish Defence Ministers Strengthen Cooperation Ties
Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith hosted today his Spanish counterpart Minister Pedro Morenés Eulate, who is staying in a visit to Melbourne. They were joined by the Minister for Defence Materiel, Dr Mike Kelly. Minister Morenés was in Melbourne to conduct bilateral discussions and to pa
UK Sailors Keep Romance Alive Miles from Home
Despite being thousands of miles from home, when it comes to Valentines Day even the toughest sailor and marine can’t escape the aim of Cupid’s arrow. And turning up the heat in the already scorching operational arenas of the Gulf and Afghanistan are the ship’s company of HMS Monmouth and 40 Command
Mediterranean Countries, US Set Out Phoenix Express Exercise’s Agenda
Military representatives from eight Mediterranean countries from Africa and Europe came together with the U.S. Navy for the main planning conference in support of Exercise Phoenix Express 2013 in Garmisch, Germany, Feb. 5-8. Phoenix Express, set to take place in the spring, is an at-sea maritime exe
Initial Planning Conference for APS Held in Germany
The three-day initial planning conference for Africa Partnership Station took place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Feb. 11-13. The primary operational elements of APS include international partner missions conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, and U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, with African n
UK: Forward Island of HMS Queen Elizabeth Joins the Rest of the Carrier
After a 550-mile journey from the south coast, the forward island of HMS Queen Elizabeth has safely arrived in Rosyth to join the rest of the carrier. The iconic 700-tonne structure passed beneath the Forth Rail Bridge at mid-day yesterday and is now in the dockyard, where it will be raised on to th
NATO Commander Discusses Naval Operations with Russian Counterpart
At the beginning of February Rear Admiral Antonio NATALE welcomed RADM Vladimir Nikolayevich Vdovenko, Commander of Russian Federation Pacific Fleet Task Group on board the NATO flagship ITS San Marco. The meeting was a useful opportunity to discuss naval operations and in particular where there are
Top News of The Week Feb 4 – 9, 2013
The Philippines: AGHAM Calls for Naval, Ship-Building Self-Reliance In light of the recent Tubbataha incident, activist scientist group AGHAM or Advocates of Science and Technology for the People called on the Philippine government to build a national ship-building industry that will strengthen the
USA: Secretary of Navy Visits Pacific Northwest
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited Sailors, Marines and Department of the Navy civilians in the Pacific Northwest, Feb. 6-7. The SECNAV’s visits included all-hands calls at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bremerton, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) and a tour of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN
HSV Swift Wraps Up 10-Month Deployment to Europe and Africa
Military Sealift Command-chartered HSV Swift (HSV 2) completed a nearly 10-month deployment to the Europe and Africa areas of responsibility Jan. 31. During that time, Swift and her crew of contract mariners and a U.S. Navy detachment conducted 38 port visits to Africa and 15 to Europe, circumnaviga