Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset has begun a nine month docking period being undertaken by Babcock at Devonport – marking the first refit to be undertaken under the Surface Ship Support Alliance (SSSA) Class Output Management (COM) Phase 2 arrangements, which officially came into effect last month (Apri
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced the commanding officer for the 2013-14 seasons during a press conference at the National Aviation Museum on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., May 1. A panel of admirals and former Blue Angels commanding officers sel
The combined U.S. and Canadian Exercise Frontier Sentinel 12 (EX FS12) formally kicked off with a live diving demonstration by the Royal Canadian Navy’s, Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic (FDUA), at the Sydney Marine Terminal, May 1. Led by Royal Canadian navy, Rear Adm. Dave Gardam, Canadian Joint Task Fo
The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) visited Sailors and Marines assigned to amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), while the ship was in Aqaba, Jordan, for a port visit, April 26. SECNAV Ray Mabus, was in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a regional tour to thank
Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) concluded their participation in exercise Saharan Express 2012 while underway off the coast of West Africa, April 30. Saharan Express, one of four express series exercises, focused on improving communications and building relationships o
In order to strengthen its knowledge and expertise regarding cyber threats, the Netherlands Defence organisation has joined the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. The official membership ceremony was held in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, on 24 April. The Netherlands is the eleve
An aircraft at the cutting edge of naval airpower will return to RNAS Yeovilton for its annual Air Day on 23 June. Living up to its name, the Dassault Rafale (‘Squall’, or ‘Hurricane’) will tear through the skies over this key Royal Naval Air Station. The Dassault Rafale M is the French Navy’s most
Fleet Base West has experienced a busy first half of 2012, with both HMAS Stirling and West based Fleet Units playing host to several high profile international visitors since January. April was particularly busy with a flurry of VIP visits to the West. The first was from the United States Secretary
A&P Falmouth yard has had a very busy first quarter to 2012 working on 34 projects including six ferries, four of which were from P&O, tankers, MOD vessels, offshore supply vessels, tugs, barges and manufacturing the first wave energy device to go onto the FabTest site in Falmouth Bay. Some of these
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Royal Navy, with the support of BAE Systems, are hosting a weekend of free events this Saturday and Sunday to commemorate the Naval and local contribution to the liberation of the South Atlantic islands 30 years ago. There will be displays and the opportunity to
The Royal Australian Navy has handed over command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) to the Pakistan Navy during a change of command ceremony on board Pakistan Naval Ship Badr in Bahrain. Commodore Jonathan Mead AM, RAN has handed over command to Commodore Mukhtar Khan SI(M) on 17 April, concludin
The Navy formally transferred ownership of the historic battleship Iowa (BB 61) to the Pacific Battleship Center April 30. The transfer followed the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act regulatory requirements. The ship donation contract was sign
To meet the growing demand for its marine services and facilities, Austal has officially announced the opening of its Marine Support Base in Henderson, Western Australia. Located adjacent to Austal’s Henderson shipyard, the Henderson Marine Support Base provides comprehensive refit, repair and maint
Sailors, Soldiers, Airman and Royal Marines from the UK, Australia and New Zealand held a moving and poignant service to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice made by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli during World War I. The ceremony was held aboard the Devonp
