Defense Strategies
HMS Blyth Returns to HM Naval Base Clyde, UK
HMS Blyth, one of the Royal Navy’s advanced Sandown-Class mine hunters, received an emotional welcomed home from families, friends and loved-ones, when the vessel and its 37-strong crew returned to HM Naval Base Clyde from a six-month NATO deployment. Home in time for Christmas and sporting Santa ha
ESPS Méndez Núnez Conducts Her First WFP Escort
During the night of 12 December, EU Naval Force flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez conducted her first World Food Programme (WFP) escort as part of the EU’s counter piracy mission – Operation Atalanta. ESPS Méndez Núnez escorted MV Canarsie Princess along the Somali coastline to ensure the food aid she was
Commander of UK’s Maritime Reserve Forces Visits HMS Sherwood
The Commander of the UK’s Maritime Reserve Forces has made his first visit to HMS Sherwood in Nottingham to meet Royal Navy and Royal Marine Reservists based there. HMS Sherwood is the home of the Royal Navy in the East Midlands and the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) Unit for Reservists across the East M
HMS Penzance to Get Multi-Million-Pound Overhaul
HMS Penzance has arrived in Rosyth – the latest of the Sandown-class flotilla of minehunters to receive a multi-million-pound overhaul. The ship follows her recently-revamped sister Grimsby into the ship shed on the Forth, where she’ll spend five months receiving upgrades, improvements and a general
HDMS Iver Huitfeldt Frees Danish Ship after Pirate Attack
The Danish MV Torm Kristina was sailing to Muscat (Oman) in order to perform a quick logistical port visit, when she was approached by 2 suspected pirate skiffs. The crew quickly assembled in the citadel and sent a mayday message out. Meanwhile the mayday message was passed to the Commander of the N
USA: EPC Completes Training
The multinational training exercise Eurasia Partnership Capstone (EPC) 2012 concluded during a ceremony held at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center, Dec. 14. During the weeklong exercise, more than 80 representatives from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Romania, Ukraine
BNS Louise-Marie Apprehends Five Suspected Pirates
In the afternoon of 15 December 2012, the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie intercepted one skiff with five suspected pirates on board. While underway to the probable pirates’ operating area, the Swedish EU NAVFOR maritime patrol aircraft (MPRA) was able to locate the suspi
UK: Sailors from Frigate HMS Richmond Take on Disaster Relief Exercise
Sailors from frigate HMS Richmond have been put through their paces with a disaster relief exercise under the watchful eye of Flag Officer Sea Training in Devonport. HMS Richmond has spent the last five weeks conducting Basic Operational Sea Training (BOST) under the expert instruction of the Flag O
RFA Argus Returns to UK after Seven-Month Deployment
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus returned to the UK after a seven-month deployment to the US and Caribbean Sea on counter drugs and disaster-relief patrol. On Thursday December 13, RFA Argus returned into the Port of Portland, Weymouth, having left Falmouth in May, from Atlantic Patrol Task (North) deplo
Greece: EPC 12 Exercise Improves Maritime Skills
Multinational service members participated in boarding training aboard the Hellenic navy training ship Aris at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center during Eurasia Partnership Capstone 2012 (EPC 12), Dec. 12. This training is just one of many events that EPC has as part of its c
UK MoD Extend Through Life Support Contract with A&P Group
The Ministry of Defence announced on 2nd December 2012 that it has extended its 2008 contract by five years for A&P Group to continue supporting and maintaining Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships at home and abroad. Head of Commercially Supported Shipping for Defence, Equipment and Support, Commodore (RFA)
Russia’s BSF Ships Head Home from East Mediterranean
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ships return from East Mediterranean to home bases, said a Russian Navy’s spokesman… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, December 11, 2012; Image: NATO
BLACKSEAFOR Members Convene at Turkish Naval Station Golcuk
Planning group of Black Sea naval cooperation task group (BLACKSEAFOR) convened at Turkish naval station Golcuk… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, December 11, 2012
Poslish Navy Welcomes Commander-in-Chief of Royal Norwegian Navy
On Tuesday, December 4, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy visited the Polish naval forces. Vice Admiral Bernt Grimstvedt met with the Commander of the Polish Navy Vice Admiral (three star) Tomasz Mathea and visited the 3rd Flotilla of Ships, Divers Training Centre and the Naval Acad