Defense Strategies
Italian Navy Assumes Command of NATO’s Counter Piracy Mission
On 7 December 2012, in Djibouti, Rear Admiral Antonio Natale, assumed command of Operation Ocean Shield, NATO’s counter piracy mission from Cdre Ben Bekkering (Royal Netherlands Navy) who has completed a successful 6-month deployment in the region. After a short port visit, the flagship will commenc
Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes Takes Command of EU Counter Piracy TF 465
In a ceremony held on board EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) warship ITS San Giusto in the port of Djibouti, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino (Italian Navy) handed over force command of EU counter piracy Task Force 465 to Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes (Spanish Navy). The name of the new EU NAVFOR Fla
UK: Budding Navigators Tested on HMS Echo
HMS Echo took eight would-be navigators to sea as experienced sailors assessed whether they had ‘the right stuff’ to guide Her Majesty’s ships on the world’s oceans. The survey ship was used by staff and students on the Fleet Navigating Officers course – which sets the benchmark for all navigators o
Royal Navy Sailors Help Criminal Crackdown in Middle East Waters
Two dozen Royal Navy personnel oversaw a concerted effort to tackle terrorism and piracy in the seas east of Suez. Over five days, an international force of warships and Coast Guard vessels, focused their attention on either side of the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating the Arabian Peninsula a
HMS Blyth Heads Home after Leading NATO Minehunting Mission
HMS Blyth has begun the 3,000-mile journey for home on the Clyde after completing six months leading a NATO minehunting force in the eastern Mediterranean. The Sandown-class ship has left Aksaz in Turkey and will be back in Faslane in time for an emotional reunion with families before Christmas. The
UK: Royal Navy Welcomes New Fleet Commander
The Royal Navy has welcomed its newly appointed Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at a handover ceremony in Portsmouth. Vice Admiral Phil Jones has taken up the role from outgoing Fleet Commander, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, who will continue his NATO role, Commander Maritime Command
ROS Regele Ferdinand Sails for Home
The crew from Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand are proud to be sailing home to their base port of Constanta after completing Romania’s first counter piracy operation as part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia, Operation Atalanta. ROS Regele Ferdinand joined EU NAVFOR at the beginning of
EU NAVFOR Force Commander Briefs Somali & Djiboutian Media on Combating Piracy
On Sunday 02 December 2012, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR), Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, met with Somali and Djiboutian media on board the EU NAVFOR flagship, ITS San Giusto, off the Somali town of Berbera. The event was the first opportunity fo
UK’s Response Force Task Group Brings the Curtain Down on Cougar 12
The Navy’s key autumn deployment draws to a close with the man in charge delighted it has laid firm foundations for future task groups – and especially Anglo-French co-operation. The two capital ships in the UK’s Response Force Task Group – flagship HMS Bulwark and helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious
HMS Scimitar Makes Short Trip to North Africa to Work with Moroccan Navy
Gibraltar guardian HMS Scimitar left the Rock behind to make the short trip to North Africa to work with the Moroccan Navy and honour wartime personnel buried in the country. The patrol boat, one half of the two main vessels in the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron, headed the three dozen miles across
EU NAVFOR Meets Somali Fishing Representatives, Elders on ITS San Giusto
On Tuesday 27 November 2012, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, met with local Somali fishing representatives, clan elders of coastal communities and local authorities on board the EU NAVFOR flagship, ITS San Giusto, of
UK: Royal Navy Divers Blow Up WW2 Mine
Royal Navy bomb disposal experts have blown up a huge German mine off the Kent coast after a delicate operation to remove it from a dredger. It took seven hours to safely dislodge the wartime device, containing 1,500lbs of high explosive, which was trapped in the teeth of the boat’s dredge head. HIS
Coalition Efforts Yield Fall in Piracy Attacks in the Gulf Region
The Director of Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf region says coalition efforts have led to a fall in piracy attacks against merchant shipping and local fishing dhows but the risk to trade remains high. The International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre reported just one attempted attack
Russia in Talks with NATO on Munitions Disposal Agreement
Russia plans to sign a munitions disposal agreement with NATO, writes Kommersant on Nov 26 referring to sources in… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, November 27, 2012