After three years continuously deployed at sea Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria has begun her journey back to the UK to undergo planned maintenance. Over the course of her deployment Fort Victoria has operated in the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. She has embarked the staff of
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose based 771 Naval Air Squadron (Search and Rescue) is proud to welcome onboard the first fully qualified SAR female ‘Aircrewman’, Leading Aircrewman (LACMN) Sarah Christenson. The inspiration for Sarah to join the Fleet Air Arm and train to become a SAR Aircrewman orig
If there was ever a good reason to heed naval forces’ warnings about the continuing threat from Somali piracy, then an attack on a super tanker is surely one of them. As reported by the EU Naval Force last week, the fully laden super tanker was attacked by eight armed pirates on Friday 11 October, [
Royal Navy ice patrol ship HMS Protector left Portsmouth yesterday (October 17) for a ‘double deployment’ to the frozen continent of Antarctica. The 5,000-tonne ship will stay in the region for two consecutive deployments, returning to her new home at Devonport Naval Base in Spring 2015. She will co
HMS Exploit, Birmingham URNU’s training ship, has entered her annual refit period at Holyhead Marine Service’s Boatyard in North Wales. However before arriving in Anglesey for her Annual Slip and Repair Period (ASRP), Exploit conducted sea weekend number two of term which included a port visit to Fi
HMS Blyth is in action off the North West coast of Scotland as part of Europe’s largest annual multi-national exercise, Joint Warrior; a highly enjoyable and challenging experience. Among the other forces deployed are sister Sandown Class vessel HMS Bangor, Hunt class vessels HMS Brocklesby and HMS
HMS Penzance has taken part in a two-week exercise off the Sardinian coast as part of her ongoing NATO work in the region. Known as exercise Brilliant Mariner 13 the exercise involved warships from seven different NATO nations and ranged in size from the giant Italian aircraft carrier Cavour with th
The MoD is looking for ideas for how best to preserve the legacy of the Royal Navy’s Invincible class aircraft carriers. The last of the ships, HMS Illustrious, is due to retire in late 2014 after 32 years of distinguished service that has seen her involved in operations across the world. Following
HMS Bulwark hosted a Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID), sponsored by UK Trade and Industry (UKTI), on her recent visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Plymouth based Fleet Flagship, currently in the Gulf leading the Response Force Task Group’s Cougar 13 deployment, invited eight
The third major exercise of Cougar 13 has just ended on the shores of the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group has completed Sea Khanjar – a five day exercise culminating in a large amphibious demonstration for gathered visitors. Watching on were guests including: Major G
Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral (VAdm) Philip A Jones CB visited the Devonport-based frigate, HMS Montrose, at sea whilst deployed on Op KIPION; the UK’s primary deterrence and presence patrol in the Middle East. At the time of the visit HMS Montrose was operating alongside other UK units, namely HMS
Nearly six months after her departure in April for the Middle East, HMAS Newcastle was welcomed home by hundreds of family and friends at a ceremony at Garden Island, Sydney. Joining the ship’s company’s loved ones in welcoming home the 230 men and women of Newcastle was the Prime Minister of Austra
On 6th of October, whilst in the Indian Ocean ITS Zeffiro handed over the Italian commitment to the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta to ITS Libeccio. The counter-piracy duties were handed over in Djibouti from Commander Marco Antoniazzi (ITS Zeffiro) to his successor
HMS Daring has left Australia’s largest city after a week in the spotlight taking part in the country’s centennial celebrations of its navies. On a rather gloomy spring day, tugs helped the 8,500-tonne destroyer under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the equally-famous Opera House as vessel
