Defense Strategies
SNMCMG1 Vessels Engage in Manoeuvre Exercise
As part of Baltic Sea tasks, the Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE provided a short update on the group’s operations. The Belgian minehunter Lobelia (M921), integrated in SNMCMG1, conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the German Navy’s Elbe-class replenishment ship FGS Donau. The vessels
NDG Trained for Submarine Sinking Incident
The Northern Diving Group (NDG), based at HMNB Clyde at Faslane, the experts when it comes to a diverse range of Diving tasks and Explosive Ordnance Disposal, are trained for a highly unlikely event of a sinking incident involving a submarine. NDG play a huge part in the successful deployment of the
Spanish Navy’s Vessels Leave for NATO’s Active Endeavour Op
The Spanish Navy’s vessels SPS Canarias (F86) and SPS Patiño A14 deployed for NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour on January 26. The vessels deployed from Rota Naval Base, and are expected to take part in the operation during February. They will be integrated in Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).
SNMG2 Vessels Receive Fuel from German Oil Tanker
Two Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) vessels recently met with the German oil tanker FGS Spessart (A 1442) for a replenishment-at-sea operation. While on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea, the group’s vessels USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and Turkish ship TCG Turgutreis (F 241) were both approached by t
UK’s New RFA Tankers to Get Military Capabilities
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £15 million contract to A&P Group to install high-end military capabilities in four new tankers so that they are ready for operations by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The decision, which will see the creation of 16 new jobs, including 6 new apprenticeships, will
SNMG2, French Navy Engage in Mediterranean Sea Drills
Over the past week, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and the French Navy’s CHARLES DE GAULLE Carrier Strike Group (TF 473) conducted exercises across the Mediterranean Sea in a demonstration of the power of NATO maritime forces to rapidly come together in a crisis or for collective defence. The ongoin
Dutch Navy Takes Command of NATO SNMCMG1
The Netherlands Navy took over command of Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) yesterday morning in Den Helder, the Netherlands. The Lithuanian Navy Commander Giedrius Premeneckas handed over command of SNMCMG1 to Dutch Navy Commander Peter A.J. Bergen Henegouwen during a brief ce
New Commander Steps aboard USS Cole
Cmdr. James Quaresimo relieved Cmdr. Dennis Farrell as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) during a change of command ceremony in port of Piraeus, Greece, January 21. Farrell successfully led Cole’s 331 Sailors through a complete training cycle; J
Deputy Commander of Allied JFC NAPLES Visits MARCOM
The Deputy Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC NAPLES), Lieutenant-General Michael Day, OMM, MSC, CD, visited NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), meeting with the MARCOM Command Group to discuss coordination of operational activities and areas of common interest. Lieutenant-Genera
HMS Enterprise Captures Images of Seamounts
Royal Navy’s survey ship HMS Enterprise captured images of what appears to be two large mountains, which are actually underwater scans of the seabed off the coast of Northern Africa. The larger of the two seamounts, the technical name for underwater mountains, was measured at 1100m which is taller t
New Commander of Submarine Forces NATO Named
Rear Admiral Matt Zirkle, United States Navy, relieved Rear Admiral Bob Kamensky, United States Navy, as Commander, Submarine Forces NATO (COMSUBNATO) and Deputy Chief of Staff, Submarines, for NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), at an informal ceremony in Northwood, UK on January 16. During near
HMS Shoreham Sailors Return to Faslane
The men and women of HMS Shoreham have returned home to Faslane after seven months of operational duty in the Persian Gulf. It was a varied deployment for Crew 5 who found themselves conducting a wide range of activities throughout the Middle East, from survey missions with the Kuwaiti Navy to takin
Most Read News, January 12 – 18, 2015
Chinese Warships Dock in Portsmouth, UK Three Chinese Naval ships were given a rapturous welcome as they arrived in Portsmouth for a formal visit aimed at enhancing military understanding between the UK and China. Damen Completes Build of Two FCS 5009 Patrol Vessels Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT)
USS Donald Cook Leaves the Black Sea
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed the Black Sea, Jan. 14, 2015, after a series of engagements that promoted peace and stability in the region. Donald Cook’s presence in the Black Sea serves to reaffirm U.S. commitment towards strengthening partnership