Operations
UK: Wartime Submariner Celebrates Centenary Birthday
A twice-decorated submariner who undertook dangerous convoy missions to Malta in the Second World War and plotted mines before the 1944 South Coast of France landings has celebrated his 100th birthday. Captain William Hedley Kett DSC* RD* RNR served for six years (1940 – 46) under the sea during the
ESPS Meteoro Joins EU NAVFOR
On August 6th, after passing through the Suez Canal, navigating the Red Sea and crossing the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, the Spanish warship ESPS Meteoro has been integrated into the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta. The ESPS Meteoro is the first of a series of four mod
NATO, EU Force Commanders Talk Cooperation on Counter-Piracy
Yesterday Commander Task Force 465, Commodore Peter Lenselink, visited Commander Task Force 508, Commodore Henning Amundsen, on board HNoMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN to discuss ongoing counter-piracy operations. Combined Task Force 465 is the European Union Naval Force, which executes counter piracy Operation
Atalanta: FGS Niedersachsen Steps In for FGS Augsburg
On 14 August, whilst in Djibouti the FGS Augsburg handed over the German commitment to the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta to FGS Niedersachsen. The handover was presided over by Captain Stefan Pauly, Branch Head of Maritime Operations from the Joint Forces Operatio
HMS Lancaster Visits Kingston, Jamaica
Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster recently paid a formal visit to Kingston on the island of Jamaica. The Type-23 frigate arrived in the Commonwealth Realm on her emancipation day; marking 51 years since she gained independence. The visit comes after the completion of Lancaster’s first counter narcoti
Horn of Africa: NSC Urges for Timely Reporting of Piracy-Related Incidents
In the last week there have been no significant events, as a result the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) has removed all Areas of Concern which were published last week (01-07 Aug 2013), NSC said in a weekly update. Nevertheless, the threat of piracy remains and vigilance is required when transiting thoug
Major Drug Bust for HMS Lancaster in the Caribbean Waters
The crew of a Royal Navy warship has seized a massive 680-kilogram stash of cocaine with an estimated street value of £100 million. HMS Lancaster made the bust after sailors boarded a speedboat near Puerto Rico. The boat, which was concealed by a tarpaulin, was spotted by a US Customs and Border Pro
RFA Argus Takes Part in Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week 2013
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus is playing a colourful role in the launch of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week 2013 after being officially dressed in bunting for the festival. RFA Argus is currently docked in Falmouth for works to be completed by A&P Falmouth, as part of the company’s ‘cluster’ contract w
NMCB 11 Takes the Helm of Seabee Projects in Europe & Africa
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif., transferred authority of Camp Mitchell and ongoing Seabee missions throughout Europe and Africa to NMCB 11, homeported in Gulfport, Miss., during a ceremony held aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, Aug. 12. Cmdr. Jeffrey
HNLMS Amsterdam to Keep Vigilance of Caribbean Waters
On August 11, Dutch supply ship HNLMS Amsterdam, equipped with an on-board NH90 helicopter, set sail for the Caribbean from the port of Den Helder. In the next 4 months, HNLMS Amsterdam will serve as a guard ship and be deployed to intercept drug transports and support the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guar
HNLMS VAN SPEIJK Completes Her Role in OCEAN SHIELD, Heads Home
On Monday, 12 August 2013, the Dutch frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK concluded more than two months deployment in support of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD and began her voyage back to the Netherlands. VAN SPEIJK joined OCEAN SHIELD just days before Commodore Henning Amundsen took command of
European, US Dignitaries Tour USS Harry S. Truman
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) hosted U.S. and foreign flag and general officers from throughout Europe, Aug. 11 in support of regional maritime partnerships. U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander, Supreme Allied Command, Europe (SACEUR); U.S. Navy Adm. Bruce Clingan, commander, Allied Joint
VIDEO: HMS Westminster Sets Sail for Cougar ’13 (UK)
Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster sailed from Portsmouth on August 13 as part of the Cougar ’13 deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf which involves thousands of RN, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel. The long-planned deployment will see elements of the UK’s Response Force Task G
HMS Montrose to Safeguard Shipping Lanes in the Middle East
The Royal Naval warship HMS Montrose sailed from its base-port in Plymouth yesterday for a seven-month deployment protecting shipping lanes in the Middle East. As the most Scottish ship in the fleet, HMS Montrose embarked a tartan-clad bagpiper for the journey down the River Tamar playing Caledonian