Cmdr. Cory Blaser, commanding officer of USS Nicholas (FFG 47), decommissioned the ship during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk March 10; 30 years ago to the date in which it was placed into commission in 1984. Nicholas’ commissioning commanding officer, retired Vice Adm. James F. Amerualt, was
Earlier this month, a delegation from Yemen’s Coast Guard and Navy, headed by Colonel Abdul-Hafed Al-Wali, paid a visit to the Commander of NATO’s Counter-Piracy Task Force 508 (CTF-508), Rear Admiral (ESP N) Eugenio Diaz del Rio. The meeting took place on board ESPS ALVARO DE BAZAN which is curre
Spanish warship Alvaro De Bazan, NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, took part in an air defence training drill in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday (5 March 2014) in order to maintain its readiness to tackle any challenge on the high seas, including deterrance of Somali pirates. French air force fighters
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s frigate HMNZS TE MANA returned this morning to Devonport Naval Base after a seven-month deployment. About 700 family members along with three Seasprite helicopters welcomed TE MANA’s 182 Warriors of the Sea. The ship fired a 17-gun salute as she arrived, replied by a s
During the last week, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta warships FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado have carried out several ‘Friendly Approaches’ in the Gulf of Aden. In addition to patrols in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocea
General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp (GDEB) has received a USD 57.1 mln contract modification for the planning and execution of the USS Minnesota’s (SSN 783) post shakedown availability (PSA). Electric Boat will also procure long lead time material in preparation to accomplish the maintenance, repa
In early March, the warship ITS MIMBELLI, currently deployed in support of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, wrapped up a port visit to Antisiranana, Madagascar. The purpose of the visit was to pursue the ongoing cooperation with the Malagasy authorities in efforts to eliminate sea pir
On Friday, 7 March 2014, Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO (SNMCMG2) carried out a major damage control exercise near the island of Corfu. The exercise included a focus on basic seamanship exercises, including firefighting, steering gear breakdown, man overboard, medical casualty, speedb
A ceremony celebrating the laying and authentication of the keel of the future USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) was held at the Austal USA shipyard, yesterday. The keel was authenticated by the ship’s sponsor, Virginia Kamsky, who confirmed that it was truly and fairly laid. Although the laying of the keel h
Austal Limited (Austal) has been awarded a contract from a naval customer in the Middle East for the design, construction and integrated logistics support of two 72 metre High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs). The value of the contract is approximately US$124.9 million. Austal will construct the HSSV
The guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) arrived in Split, Croatia for a routine, regularly scheduled port visit, March 8th. The port visit is designed to continue Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s efforts to strengthen maritime partnerships with European countries. In addition these visits
The guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) arrived in Romania for a scheduled port visit on Saturday, Mar. 8. Truxtun is to partner with regional NATO Allies and participate in a series of routine multilateral naval exercises. Scheduled events include a passing exercise (PASSEX), division
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) completed the vital repair and recertification of the hull on the Pressurized Rescue Module System (PRM-1 Falcon), the U.S. Navy’s only deep sea submarine rescue asset Feb. 14. Falcon arrived at the shipyard in April 2013 for complex hull repairs including validati
INS ‘SUMEDHA’, indigenously designed in-house Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV), built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), was inducted into service today. The vessel was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy by VAdm Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, FO C-IN-C East at an impressive ceremony held at Goa S