The European Council yesterday launched the EU naval operation against human smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean called “EUNAVFOR Med”. Its mission is to identify, capture and dispose of vessels and enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. EU Hi
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) was scheduled to arrive in the Black Sea on June 21 to promote peace and stability in the region. Laboon’s presence in the Black Sea will serve to reaffirm the U.S. dedication and commitment toward strengthening the partnerships an
Royal Navy’s HMS Quorn brought the curtain down on the largest military exercise of 2015 by sending three quarters of a tonne of high explosive to its maker. Quorn plus half a dozen other minehunters and command ship FGS Donau have been helping to clear a path for some of the 40-plus ships assigned
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) arrived in Kiel, Germany, for a scheduled port visit, June 19. Jason Dunham’s visit to Kiel marked the conclusion of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2015, a large-scale naval exercise between 17 regional partners and NA
Last week, Commander Submarine Forces NATO (COMSUBNATO) led the 2015 NATO Submarine Commanders Conference to discuss issues of importance to NATO’s thirteen submarine operating nations. Attendees of the two-day conference included leaders and force commanders of submarine operating nations in NATO.
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) recently completed the final cross-pollination (CROSSPOL) event of the group’s U.S.-led deployment. CROSSPOL is designed to give Alliance Sailors the opportunity to spend one to two days aboard another Allied ship. While aboard, Sailors are assigned running mat
US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus concluded a two-day visit to Poland June 16 with a stop aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17) as the ship continues its participation in Exercise BALTOPS 2015. During meetings with, among other officials, Poland’s Minister of Defense Tomasz Siemoniak, Mabus applauded Pol
Marines from four nations came together during BALTOPS from June 7-17. U.S. Marines and partner nations integrated to practice expeditionary, ship-to-shore assaults to enhance their capability to work together as a combined amphibious force. Amphibious drills give each nation’s Marines the opportuni
Breaking from her busy training programme HMS Iron Duke has hosted US Navy Vice Admiral James Foggo III as well as sailors from the USS Jason Dunham. Currently deployed in the Baltic Sea with Royal Navy Flagship HMS Ocean and the minehunter HMS Quorn; Iron Duke is part of a large NATO task group inv
US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus concluded a two-day visit to Poland June 16 with a stop aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17) as the ship continues its participation in Exercise BALTOPS 2015. The shared commitment to regional security demonstrated by the 17 nations participating in this, the 43rd itera
NATO and partner nations conducted an amphibious landing rehearsal, June 13 during BALTOPS 2015. The landing was a rehearsal for the main event happening in Ustka, Poland, June 17. The troops arrived to shore via the U.S. Navy’s Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), the U.K. Royal Navy’s Landing Craft V
Senior NATO officer General Hans-Lothar Domröse has visited HMS Ocean to witness a joint exercise between the French and British Armed Forces. The Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) visited the Royal Navy Flagship to see elements of Exercise Griffin Rise – a bi-national exercise demonstr
The gallery pictures maritime forces from 17 nations underway in the Baltic Sea in formation for BALTOPS 2015 on June 8. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend
The designated Operational Commander for EUNAVFOR Med, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino (Italian Navy), was recently received by MARCOM Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio (Italian Navy) to discuss and assess matters of mutual interest. Rear Admiral Lazio and Rear Admiral Credendino have exchan