The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a helicopter support contract worth £580 million to AgustaWestland, sustaining more than 1,000 jobs across the UK. The deal, worth over half a billion pounds, will provide maintenance support to the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 and Mk3 helicopters over the next five
For various reasons, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) has not deployed since 2004. But after a highly successful combat systems ship qualification trial (CSSQT), Wasp has sent a clear, concise, and concussive message to the fleet: She is back in the fight. After completion of a successfu
Personnel and ships from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. Navy Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) from Japan led by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 kicked off Multi-Sail 2015, March 22, in Guam. Multi-Sail is an annual DESRON 15 led exercise that is designed to assess combat syste
US Navy Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus completed a partnership-building visit to Indonesia on March 24. Mabus was in the area to meet with senior military and civilian officials to discuss bilateral and multilateral maritime security issues and efforts. Meetings were held with Indonesia’s minister
NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) welcomed the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Philip M. Breedlove, and the Commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), Vice Admiral James Foggo, to observe MARCOM’s full operational capability (FOC) certification Exercise
Canadian Navy’s HMCS Fredericton completed its participation in joint NATO training exercises in the Black Sea as part of NATO assurance measures. As part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) Fredericton will now resume its role as part of NATO maritime operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Thro
The NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) joined the operation FR HOD (Historical Ordnance Disposal) Baie de la Somme. The group will be working in an area facing the Dieppe harbour in a series of activities such as WW2 mines clearing operations and the sharing of operative procedures concerni
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) began Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) March 23, 2015. FOST is based out of naval bases in the United Kingdom (UK); it delivers operational training across all disciplines for the Royal Navy and other Navies that wish to make
The Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) announced the successful implementation of changes to the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Boarding Officer course, March 20. William Goodnoh, who serves as the course curriculum model manager for VBSS and advanced tactics, said: The changes to the c
The Royal Australian Navy Oiler HMAS SUCCESS (OR 304) joined NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD on Monday, 23 March 2015, joining New Zealand (2014) and Ukraine (2013) as partner contributors to the operation in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. HMAS SUCCESS, commanded by Captain Justin J
NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) completed their participation in joint NATO training exercises and maritime situational awareness operations in the Black Sea on March 20. SNMG2 was deployed to the Black Sea to reassure allies in the region of the Alliance’s collective
Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) leadership visited the Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) while it was in port Sasebo conducting routine maintenance, Mar. 20. While on board, JMSDF leadership toured Fort Worth’s bridge and mission control center as well as her airborne and waterbo
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO) hosted a final planning conference (FPC) for Southern Partnership Station Joint High Speed Vessel 2015 in Mayport, Florida, March 3-4. The FPC was attended by military and civilian representatives from U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), U.
NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) recently completed exercises in the Black Sea with ships from the Romanian Navy. SNMG2 is in the Black Sea to reassure allies in the region of the Alliance’s collective defence and to enhance NATO’s maritime force interoperability. Led
