Defense Strategies
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 Docks in Barcelona
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) ships arrived in Barcelona yesterday for a port visit and to prepare to join forces with France’s Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group for a short period of combined exercises. SNMG2 leadership will meet with local Allied authorities to discuss items of mutua
UK MOD Publishes Equipment Plan
An independent audit found the cost of the department’s 11 biggest equipment programmes fell by £397 million in the past year. The defence equipment plan is an annual update to Parliament on the MOD’s spending plans over the next decade. The update sets out plans to spend around £163 billion on new
ITS Andrea Doria Conducts Counter-Piracy Exercise
During a recent port visit to The Seychelles, the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, conducted a counter-piracy exercise called ‘Exchange 2015’ with members of the Seychelles Coast Guard and Maritime Police. The exercise was planned and coordinated with staff from EUCAP Nestor. One of the ma
HMCS Fredericton Arrives in Portugal for Op Reassurance
The Royal Canadian Navy frigate, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton arrived yesterday in Lisbon, Portugal to join Standing NATO Maritime Forces as part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO-led assurance measures that promote security and stability in Central and Easter
USS Donald Cook Strengthens Ties with Constanta, Romania
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 30. Donald Cook’s visit to Romania reaffirms to NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthening ties, while working toward mutual go
HMCS Fredericton Joins Operation Reassurance
Canadian Navy’s vessel HMCS Fredericton deployed on December 30 to join NATO’s Operation Reassurance. The ship will replace HMCS Toronto, which has been part of Standing NATO Maritime Forces since August 2014. Operation Reassurance refers to the military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed F
Civitavecchia, Italy Hosts USS Iwo Jima
Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) pulled in to Civitavecchia, Italy for a scheduled port visit Dec. 30, 2014. The visit provided the Sailors with the opportunity to build relations with the people of Italy, while affording them a chance to enjoy the remainder of the holiday season in port
SNMCMG1 Finishes Five Month Sea Deployment
Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group One (SNMCMG1) concluded its 5 months sea deployment under the command of Lithuanian Navy Officer, Commander Giedrius Premeneckas onboard the Lithuanian flagship LNS JOTVINGIS, and returned to Klaipėda, Lithuania. LNS JOTVINGIS (Lithuania) accompanied by the
UK Navy Recognizes 2014 Surface Fleet
Efforts to bring peace to the Middle East and fight the spread of Ebola in Africa have been singled out by Royal Navy commanders as the Senior Service recognises the best ships and units of the past 12 months. More than a dozen Fleet Effectiveness Trophies are being awarded to surface ships and Roya
USS Vicksburg Becomes SNMG2’s New Flagship
USS Vicksburg (CG 69) relieved USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 flagship in the Port of Naples. Vicksburg, home-ported in Mayport, Fla., departed North America Dec. 4 on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as the SNMG2 flagship, and support NATO tasking. The
HMS Iron Duke Comes Home for Christmas
HMS Iron Duke returned to Portsmouth on December 19 from a successful South Atlantic patrol conducting maritime security operations and providing support to British Overseas Territories in the region. The Type 23 frigate and her 180 crew covered 27,442 miles and visited 11 countries during the six-m
Poland Orders NSM from Kongsberg
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract with the Polish Ministry of National Defence for an NSM (Naval Strike Missile) Coastal Defence System valued at NOK 1.3 Billion. The scope of delivery is a Squadron-size unit similar to the contract won with Poland in 2008. After a successful deliv
Almirante Juan de Borbón Docks in Home Base Ferrol
The Spanish Navy’s frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón (F-102) returned to Ferrol after finishing its deployment in Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2). During this deployment the F-102, commanded by Commander Fernando Rosety Fernandez de Castro, participated in Operation ‘Active Endeavour’ fightin
HMS Grimsby Returns Home to HMNB Clyde
Royal Navy minehunter HMS Grimsby returned to HM Naval Base Clyde yesterday, December 18. The Clyde-based ship and the 40-strong Crew 6 have spent the past four months on Mediterranean deployment, exercising with international navies and helping to keep vital sea lanes safe. The vessel departed HM N