Families from Make-a-Wish Foundation visited Fleet Base West during ‘Wish Day’ on Friday 22 March 2013. The children and their families were able to experience and gain an insight into Navy life through visiting a number of units, watching demonstrations and talking to Navy personnel. Make-a-Wish Fo
Some contributing nations support the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta with specialised assets to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa. Estonia supports Operation Atalanta with a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) on board the French frigate FS Courbet. VPDs are ready to emba
HMAS Childers and the crew of Ardent Six (Lieutenant Commander Chris Brough) have been instrumental in recovering 77 survivors from wreckage 60 nautical miles north of Ashmore Island. Responding to a request from the Rescue Coordination Centre Australia via Joint Task Force (JTF) 639, the Armidale C
The New Zealand Defence Force has confirmed that separate investigations into the death of a soldier who drowned during training in Waiouru are nearing completion. On 25 September, 2012, NZ Army soldier Private (PTE) Michael Victor Ross, aged 29 years, from Kaitaia, went missing while undertaking sm
On 17 March, during a visit by the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez to Salalah, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes, met with Omani officials in Salalah. The EU NAVFOR Force Commander met the Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman’s
Strategic Marine, a specialist shipbuilder with operations in Singapore, Australia and Vietnam, today announced it will build the Long Term Ashmore Capability (LTAC) for Gardline Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of the Government of Australia. The LTAC will be a 40-metre On Station Vessel designed for re
Playing a key role in the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta are the Spanish Airforce P3-M Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). The aircraft are based in Djibouti and have been a stalwart part of the operation since 3 January 2009, they provide an unbroken expertise ass
On 15 March, the German Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD), deployed with the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, transferred the responsibility for the protection of the World Food Programme (WFP) ship MV Caroline Scan to an AVPD from Finland. The German AVPD returns
Seven Senior Sailors and Officers in the Royal Australian Navy are ready to set sail after completing Boarding Operations training in Darwin. The Domestic Maritime Security Operations Course (DMSOC) and Boarding Officers Course (DMBOC) were conducted back-to-back over a nine-day period at the Larrak
After MV Royal Grace was released by pirates on Friday 8 March, it was EU Naval Force Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel ESPS Rayo who ensured that the chemical tanker and her crew stayed safe as the vessel sailed north towards Omani waters. ESPS Rayo was conducting counter piracy patrols last Friday 8
HMAS Toowoomba recently participated with other navies in Exercise AMAN 2013 while deployed on maritime security operations in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). Exercise AMAN 2013 was hosted by the Pakistan Navy to promote peace and stability in the region and enhance interoperability among
Austal announced that the first-in-series Cape Class Patrol Boat has been officially named the Cape St George during a ceremony held at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia today. Cape St George is the first of eight new boats being built by Austal for the Australian Customs and Border P
816 Squadron (816 SQN) has returned from the Avalon airshow with a highly sought-after award. The Australian International Airshow is the premier event on Australia’s international aviation calendar and the Military Concours d’Elegance is awarded after judging by a panel comprising representatives o
HMS Northumberland flew the flag for Britain when she was Britain’s participant in a major naval exercise involving more than two dozen nations in Karachi. Hosted by the Pakistani Navy, Exercise Aman – Urdu for ‘peace’ – demonstrates the united resolve of the nations taking part to combat criminal a
