On April 30 Minister for Defence Stephen Smith met in Auckland with his New Zealand counterpart, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman, in the run up to travelling to Tonga to attend the inaugural South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting. He was accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Se
Protecting World Food Programme (WFP) shipments to Somalia is a core task for EU Naval Force Somalia; ensuring the safe transportation of humanitarian aid to the Somali people. In 2013, WFP aims to bring humanitarian assistance to an estimated population of 1.56 million in Somalia. Since the beginni
The Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), Rear Admiral Eric Dupont recently visited the Republic of the Seychelles in support of the opening of the new EUCAP NESTOR Seychelles Office. During the visit Rear Admiral Dupont conducted joint talks with the Head of Mission of EU
HMAS Toowoomba is assigned to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) mission to provide security and stability to vital sea lanes inside the Middle East Area of Operations. At the heart of it, Toowoomba has been tasked with stopping the transit of illegal narcotics, weapons and to act as a deterrent to
The Australian guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney has successfully completed a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the Spanish tanker ESPS Cantabria off the coast of Cairns, while on passage to Japan, where the Australian warship will embed with the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet. HMAS Sydney’s Commandi
Exhibitors and delegates at the upcoming International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX Asia) will have the opportunity to meet more key players from international navies, coast guards and maritime agencies as the biennial exhibition is set to host the highest number ever of Navy Ch
HMAS Creswell played host to high school students from across New South Wales recently when participants in the Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme (NAPS) visited the region. Students from as far as Wangaratta and Jindabyne participated in the March session of the work experience scheme and had an insig
EUCAP Nestor, EU Naval Force, and the Seychelles Coast Guard carried out a joint counter-piracy exercise in the Seychelles on 26 April. The exercise involved a mock interception of a suspected pirate skiff in Seychelles waters by the combined efforts of EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles Coast Guard. The
On 24 April the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Commodore Jorge Novo Palma, visited ESPS Rayo. It was the first time to personally meet Rayo’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Commander Rafael Hernandez Rodriguez, and his crew. During the short visit Rayo’
Sailors from Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville joined with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) 725 Squadron April 25 to commemorate ANZAC Day, the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War 1. “In 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army C
Anzac Day is a day of national pride when we stop to remember those who forged our military history, and acknowledge those who continue the legacy. This year in true ANZAC spirit the Ships Company of HMAS Success welcomed eleven sailors from the Royal New Zealand Navy Replenishment Ship HMNZS Endeav
Training support to help boost the Horn of Africa regional states’ maritime security and counter piracy capabilities is very much part of the European Union’s counter piracy mission – Operation Atalanta. In this context and in co‑operation with the recently launched civilian led mission, EUCAP NESTO
A Royal Navy Reservist has donated his training bounty to the Trowbridge Sea Cadet unit. On the 15th April Able Seaman James Savory of HMS Flying Fox made a donation of £250 to Trowbridge Sea Cadet Unit Training Ship (TS) Achilles. The name Achilles dates back to Leander Class Frigates that served d
Sri Lanka Navy intercepted 55 persons illegally bound for Australia in a multi-day trawler in the early hours of 24th April 2013. The trawler named “Mithuna Putha-3” was intercepted by a Fast Naval Patrol Craft attached to the Western Naval Command 12 nautical miles west of Negombo. Among the arrest
