The new flagship of EU Naval Force ITS Andrea Doria conducted its first friendly approach in the Gulf of Aden. To help strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the EU Naval Force and local seafarers, as well as obtain first hand information about possible piracy incidents in the area, EU
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conducted a division tactics exercise with the Turkish navy fast attack craft TCG Tuzla (P 1200) in the Black Sea, Aug. 8. Vella Gulf and Tuzla conducted tactical maneuvering during the exercise. U.S. Navy ships regularly hold sim
The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) arrived in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) after participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise, Aug. 9. Peleliu is expected to carry out various operations in support of the nation’s maritime strategy, providing presence in the 7th
Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) has one of the largest medical departments in the fleet aside from the hospital ships USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), and has acquired some new faces with unique specialties to aid their mission overseas. Makin Island has added a ps
NATO’s Counter-Piracy Mission, Operation Ocean Shield, has bid farewell to the Italian destroyer ITS MIMBELLI. The ITS MIMBELLI left Task Force 508 on Wednesday, 6 August 2014, after a job very well done as part of Operation Ocean Shield. The continuous, main effort of Task Force 508 is keeping co
Lithuania is now in command of Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE. German Navy Commander Gunther Brassel handed over command of SNMCMG1 to Lithuanian Navy Commander Giedrius Premeneckas during a brief ceremony on Thursday, 7 August, 2014. The ceremony was conducted by NATO Allied Mariti
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Adm. Mark Ferguson and senior leaders of the command welcomed Rear Adm. Geoffrey Mawuli Biekro, Chief of the Naval Staff for the Ghana Armed Forces, Aug. 5. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen bi-lateral ties between the two navies and discuss inc
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) has entered the Black Sea, Aug. 6, to promote peace and stability in the region. Vella Gulf’s mission is to improve interoperability and work toward mutual goals, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening the co
On Wednesday 6 August 2014 Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen (German Navy) handed over Force Command of the EU’s counter-piracy Operation Atalanta to Rear Admiral Guido Rando (Italian Navy). Brigadier General Dick Swijgman, who recently assumed the role of Deputy Operation Commander of the EU Naval F
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Qingdao, China, Aug. 5 to promote maritime cooperation and reinforce a positive navy-to-navy relationship with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA(N)) North Sea Fleet. “We greatly appreciate the warm welcome our North Sea Fleet counterp
Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is being awarded a $25,6 million modification to a previously awarded contract for the detailed design and construction efforts to support the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) construction. Huntington Ingalls Inc. will complete the detailed design and constr
ITS Francesco Mimbelli continues her engagement in NATO Ocean Shield antipiracy operation in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, within Combined Task Force 508 (CTF 508). Following a long activity at sea, the Italian destroyer’s personnel, during an operational stop at Salalah harbor (Oman), ha
Babcock has successfully trialled a new system for Fleet Time maintenance activities, geared to reducing the burden on ship’s staff (particularly valuable for lean-manned ships) and ensuring optimum safety. The five week trial was undertaken on Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland during her recent
As part of her counter-piracy role within the EU Naval Force, Spanish frigate ESPS Navarra has completed an escort at sea of a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel along the coast of Somalia. The merchant vessel’s ports of call were Kismayo and Mogadishu, which are both in Somalia. Both cities are us
