One of the key elements of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy operation in the waters of the Horn of Africa is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). These long-range, capable aircraft conduct aerial patrols over the sea areas where pirates are known to operate and can provide earl
The two Spanish Navy warships participated in NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’ and EU’s operation ‘Atalanta’ fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. They have both been relieved by other Spanish Navy ships in the port of Djibouti. The frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) has been relieved by her sis
The Royal Marines have been flexing their collective muscle on exercise in Cornwall. Raiding Craft at picture-postcard Cawsand Beach – just some of the roughly 700 Royal Marines involved in Exercise South-West Sword, a week-long workout for the green berets and the nation’s flagship, HMS Bulwark,
On Saturday 15 March, EU Naval Force French Flagship, FS Siroco, and South Korean destroyer, ROKS Kang Gam Chan met at sea in the Gulf of Aden to conduct a series of maritime exercises. Both warships are currently conducting counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. During the exercises, C
Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) partnered with regional NATO allies Romania and Bulgaria for a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Black Sea, March 19, to enhance maritime capabilities between these countries. The exercise allowed Truxtun and the Romanian navy the opportunity to conduc
Ready to patrol the waters around the UK once again after a major overhaul followed by intensive training is fishery protection ship HMS Mersey. The Portsmouth-based ship received a revamp in Falmouth at the tail end of last year and just squeezed in trials in time to return to the Solent for Chri
Survey ship HMS Echo became the first Royal Navy ship to visit the Middle East’s newest port – a port her sister ship Enterprise played a role in creating. Echo tested the facilities in the Omani port of Duqm – a fishing village just a few years ago – to confirm that they could […]
On Thursday 13 March the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, rendezvoused at sea in the Gulf of Aden with Hellenic warship, HS Psara, to conduct a replenishment from sea. The meeting was also an opportunity for Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean to visit the crewmembers of the Hellenic Navy frigate, which
The Royal Netherlands’ Navy Holland-class offshore patrol vessel HNLMS Zeeland entering Aruba mid March. Built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen, HNLMS Zeeland is a new addition to Dutch Navy’s fleet, commissioned in August 2013. The vessel is deployed to the Caribbean Sea since February
Acting Defense Minister of Ukraine Ihor Tenyukh said in an interview for Interfax that the Ukrainian Navy would remain stationed in Sevastopol, adding that there would not be a relocation of the headquarters of any sort. “Right now the ships are located at the places of permanent deployment, but t
Pilot Lt Dave Neyland and Flight Observer Lt Sammy Haynes brought Wildcat ZZ377 safely on to Portsmouth-based warship as she ploughed through the Irish Sea following a visit to Liverpool. Wildcat is currently undergoing extensive trials with 700W Naval Air Squadron, which has been formed especiall
Six ships, led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, departed the U.S. for Scotland, March 14, to participate in Joint Warrior 14-2, a semiannual, United Kingdom-led training exercise designed to provide NATO and allied forces a unique multi-warfare environment in which to prepare for global
Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), departed Naval Station Norfolk March 14 on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding waters. “It is an honor to command USS Vella Gulf as we set sail to the 6th Fleet area of operations to enhance maritime security,” said Capt. R
On 13 March 2014, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Tornado departed Operation Atalanta’s patrol areas off the Somali coast after completing 105 days and is now heading for her home port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. As the ship set a navigation course for Spain, the Rear Admiral Bléjean, who is the F
