Over the weekend, the Turkish Navy Corvette TCG BUYUKADA (F-512) joined NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD. This is the second counter-piracy deployment of the Turkish corvette in the past two months. During her tour of duty, the ship will operate with recently joined Royal Australian Navy
Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty One (COMDESRON 21) held a change of command ceremony at Pier 2 on board Naval Base San Diego, March 27. During the ceremony Capt. Brian Shipman turned over command of DESRON 21 to Capt. Robert Chadwick. Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three,
Two U.S. Navy ships, the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, departed Norfolk, Va., for Scotland, March 27, to participate in Joint Warrior 15-1. Exercise Joint Warrior is a semi-annual train
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Groups recently engaged in operations to clear the sea lanes of World War II mines. During the North Sea operation, titled FR HOD (Historical Ordnance Disposal), the groups are working together on detecting mines in the English Channel, and afterwards detonating the
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair received a $16,7 million modification to previously awarded contract for USS San Diego (LPD 22) fiscal 2015 selected restricted availability. A select restricted availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modificati
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut completed a scheduled port visit in Lisbon, Portugal, March 25. While in port, Farragut conducted two community relations (COMREL) projects, and engaged in several Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) events. Farragut also hosted a tour a
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