Operations
Virginia-class submarine changes command in Pearl Harbor
USS North Carolina (SSN 777), the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class, fast attack submarine held a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, January 20. Cmdr. Gary Montalvo, commanding officer of North Carolina, was relieved by Cmdr. Matthew Lewis. Capt. Robert Roncska, commander, Submar
New light is shed on disastrous Royal Navy explosion in Scapa Flow
A team of civilian divers is investigating the wreck of battleship HMS Vanguard which perished with all but two of her crew in the greatest disaster in Royal Navy history. HMS Vanguard sunk on 9 July 1917 when a series of explosions shook the ship before a final blast tore it to pieces and showered
George H.W. Bush carrier strike group to deploy
U.S. Navy’s George H.W. Bush carrier strike group (GHWBCSG) is set to depart on a deployment to Europe and Middle East on Saturday, January 21. Nearly 6,000 sailors assigned to the carrier strike group will depart Norfolk and Mayport, Florida, after they spent more time ashore than it was anticipate
NATO escorts Russian flotilla en route home from Syria
NATO said it is monitoring the Russian carrier strike group centered around the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov as it sails back home after spending several months off the coast of Syria. The aircraft carrier took part in Russian military operations in Syria. Admiral Kuznetsov has been monitored
US Navy introduces new flame resistant coveralls
U.S. Navy sailors will be receiving new flame resistant uniforms as the U.S. Fleet Forces commander announced on January 19 that an improved variant of the flame resistant coverall was approved for use. The approval came after a review of the results from recently completed afloat wear tests conduct
USS Hopper docks in Colombo, Sri Lanka
U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a visit on January 19. During their four-day visit, the crew will have the opportunity to engage with members of the Sri Lanka Navy and public. The visit also provides the opportunity for the crew of Hopper to
German Navy Sea Lynx helicopters return to full operational capability
German Navy’s Sea Lynx helicopters returned to their full operational capability after they were grounded in 2014 due to a recurring fault on the helicopters’ fuselages. The helicopters were pulled from service due to a 20 cm rupture or hole found on 15 of the navy’s 22 helicopters. The issue was fi
Two jet skiers fined for causing trouble in Portsmouth harbour
The Royal Navy has welcomed a Portsmouth Magistrates decision that fined two jet skiers who obstructed operations in Portsmouth harbour by reckless riding. An MOD police launch was forced to intercept 35-year-old Stuart Roberts from Southampton and 37-year-old James Gallagher from Gosport to put an
White paper suggests types of ships needed for US Navy ramp up
While it is important for the U.S. Navy to increase the number of ships being built, it is even more important to have the shipbuilders construct the ‘right kinds of ships’, a new Senate Armed Services Committee white paper has suggested. A Small Surface Combatant that could begin procurement in 202
UK Maritime Forces commander highlights Royal Navy operations of 2016
Refuting negative press reports, UK’s Maritime Forces commander Rear Admiral Alex Burton pointed to the Royal Navy’s numerous operations in 2016 during a speech he delivered to the All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Armed Forces at the Palace of Westminster on January 16 Below is a trans
F-35Bs arrive in Japan
U.S. Marines’ F-35B Lightning II aircraft arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on January 18 as the first F-35B squadron on an operational overseas deployment. With this deployment, the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 begins a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni from MCAS Yuma, Ari
US Navy patrol ships return from Caribbean patrol
U.S. Navy Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships USS Zephyr (PC 8) and USS Shamal (PC 13) returned to Mayport, Florida, concluding counter drug patrols in support of operation Martillo. The ships returned on January 17 wrapping up their 64-day patrol in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. Marking
Two eject in US Navy training jet crash
A U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawk training jet aircraft crashed on Tuesday, off the east runway of the Naval Air Station Meridian. The station reported that the incident occurred during a training flight and that both student and instructor managed to eject before crashing. After the first responders arrive
Indian Navy contracts private company to lift INS Betwa
The Indian Navy has contracted a U.S.-based marine salvage company to lift the INS Betwa which tipped over during a December 6, 2016 incident that left two sailors dead and a number of others injured. Resolve Marine Group received a INR 20 crore (US $2.9 million) contract to return the frigate to an