Operations
Littoral combat ship Manchester (LCS 14) completes acceptance trials
The US Navy’s future littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14) completed acceptance trials after undergoing a series of tests with the navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. The Independence-variant LCS passed the trials on December 15, the US Naval Sea Systems Command announced. Acceptance trial
US destroyer USS James E. Williams wraps up seven-month mission
US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) concluded a seven-month deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, returning to its Naval Station Norfolk homeport on December 23. The ship departed May 23, to support anti-submarine exercises and operations in the Nor
Fire breaks out at Irish Naval Base in Cork
A fire broke out at Irish Naval Base on Haulbowline Island, Cork, on December 21 and was extinghuished within a few hours. The blaze started on the upper floor of a disused building at the Naval Base at 8:30 p.m. local time, Irish Defence Forces said in a statement. There were no casualties reported
Australian Navy releases new image of submarine wreck
The Royal Australian Navy has shared a new image of HMAS AE1, its first submarine which was located this week off Papua New Guinea after a 103-year search. The navy said the new image is providing researchers with “valuable new clues about the final moments of the boat and her 35 crew.” Compiled by
Fincantieri sets up company in Qatar
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has established a subsidiary in Qatar which will be “the focal point” of all the services and after sales activities on the naval vessels of the group in the country. The new company, Fincantieri Services Middle East in Doha, is licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre.
LÉ Niamh returns to Ireland after Mediterranean mission
LÉ Niamh, the first Irish Naval Service ship deployed as part of the EU Naval mission operation Sophia, has returned from the Mediterranean Sea. The ship, with a total of 57 members of the Defence Forces onboard, arrived at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork in the morning hours of December 20, 2017. The
South Korean Coast Guard opens fire at intruding Chinese fishing vessels
The South Korean Coast Guard was forced to fire over 200 rounds during a confrontation with dozens of Chinese vessels fishing illegally in South Korean waters on Tuesday. Coast Guard officials said the vessels were caught in South Korean exclusive economic zone waters off the country’s west coast. O
HMAS AE1 – Royal Australian Navy’s first submarine found off Papua New Guinea
Royal Australian Navy’s first commissioned submarine, the HMAS AE1, has been located 103 years after going under during World War I. The fate of 800 ton AE1 and her 35 crew members has remained one of the persistent mysteries of Australia’s military history. It was the first loss for the Royal Austr
HMS Ocean returns from final deployment as commissioned Royal Navy ship
Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Ocean returned home to naval base Devonport on December 19, concluding her final deployment as a commissioned Royal Navy ship. The ship was scheduled to enter Devonport on December 20, welcomed by families and friends, but a forecast of thick fog brought her final o
Italian auxiliary Etna becomes flagship of EU migrant rescue mission
The Italian Navy has taken over command of the operation Sophia task force from the Spanish Navy in a ceremony at Italian naval base Taranto. On the occasion, Italian Navy Rear Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto replaced Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Javier Moreno as the new deputy force commander. Durin
US destroyer assists stranded Iranian vessel
US Navy destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) assisted an Iranian vessel in the Persian Gulf, stranded 60 nautical miles from nearest land with no communication capabilities. An MH-60R Sea Hawk embarked with Preble was conducting routine flight operations on December 16 when they spotted the Iranian vessel
US cruiser Vella Gulf wraps up 8-month Persian Gulf stint
US Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) wrapped up eight months of operations in the US 5th Fleet area of operation returning to her homeport at Naval Station Norfolk on December 15. The cruiser got underway on April 23, as an independent deployer, to support maritime security operatio
Italian FREMM frigate ITS Virginio Fasan concludes counter-piracy mission off Somalia
The Italian Navy’s FREMM frigate ITS Fasan has returned home from a five-deployment to the EUNAVFOR counter-piracy operation Atalanta. Fasan and her 133 crew departed the mission earlier this month and entered their homeport in La Spezia on December 18. During her time off the coast of Somalia, the
HII gets $63m contract for USS Fitzgerald repairs
The US Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries an initial $63 million contract to repair and restore the damaged destroyer USS Fitzgerald. After being selected to perform the repairs in August and receiving a $29.4 million planning contract in October, the Mississippi-based shipbuilder is now