Operations
HST CSG Flagship Welcomes Aboard SACEUR
On Sunday, 11 August 2013, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Philip Breedlove, visited the USS Harry S. Truman, a United States nuclear powered aircraft carrier, while it was transiting the Mediterranean on its way to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Central Command’s are
USS New Mexico Rounds Off Her Maiden Mission
Under the command of Cmdr. George Perez, New Mexico transited more than 34,000 miles over the course of six months while conducting national security operations in the European region. “New Mexico’s performance on her inaugural deployment was exemplary,” said Perez. “I could not be more proud of the
UK: Lusty Casts Off for Cougar ’13
Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious sailed from Portsmouth on August 12 as part of an annual deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf region involving thousands of RN, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel. The long-planned Cougar ’13 deployment will see elements of the UK’s Re
Finnish AVPD Entrusts WFP Ship’s Protection to Lithuanian Counterparts
After 148 days in charge, the Finnish Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) handed over the responsibility for the protection of the World Food Program (WFP) Ship MV Caroline Scan to a Lithuanian AVPD on 10 August. On behalf of Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, Operation Commander European Union Na
Operation Atalanta: Meteoro Relieves Numancia
Spanish Maritime Action Ship (BAM) ‘Meteoro’ relieved on August 7 the frigate ‘Numancia’ in the port of Djibouti. Operation ‘Atalanta’ is a EU-led mission fighting piracy in the coast of Somalia. Meteoro will remain in the theatre of operations for a period of four months. Her mission will be to pro
USS Nicholas Completes Final Mission before Decommissioning
The guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on August 9, marking the successful completion of her final six-month deployment. The ship deployed on Jan. 20 of this year and traveled to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility where she supported Mariti
UK’s RFTG Sets Sail for Cougar ’13
Thousands of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel will leave the UK today for an annual deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf region – Cougar ’13. The long-planned deployment will see elements of the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) – the naval force formed under the
British Minehunter Ledbury Returns from Busy Deployment
Royal Navy minehunter HMS Ledbury returned to Portsmouth on August 9 following a three- month deployment across the Mediterranean and northern Red Sea. She formed part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2, working extensively with NATO partners from Germany, Italy, Turkey and Albania as
Top News of the Week August 5 – 10, 2013
USS Lassen Docks in Melbourne, Australia The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) arrived in Melbourne for a port visit, Aug. 7. During the port visit Lassen will be involved in several community engagement projects including a visit to an after school program and a socce
UK: Southern Diving Unit 1 Detonates WW2 Bomb
A Royal Navy ordnance disposal team safely detonated a WW2 bomb in the South West on wednesday 7th. The team of four from the Southern Diving Unit 1 at HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth, blew up the air-dropped bomb in-situ in a controlled explosion where it was found by contractors for SW Water lay
HNLMS Johan de Witt Joins EU Naval Force
The Dutch Landing Platform Dock HNLMS Johan de Witt joined the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta on 6 August 2013. For the next 4 months, Johan de Witt will be the EU Naval Force flagship, hosting the Force Commander, Commodore Peter Lenselink, and his multinational staff on bo
HMS Richmond Sets Sail for Atlantic Patrol Tasking
Portsmouth based warship HMS Richmond sailed on August 5 for a routine seven-month Atlantic Patrol Tasking. Maintaining the continuous Royal Naval presence in the Atlantic, the Type 23 Frigate will provide ongoing protection and reassurance to British interests within the region. The Atlantic Patrol
ESPS Numancia Completes Successful Counter Piracy Deployment
On Wednesday 7 August, ESPS Numancia completed her deployment with the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, and started her journey back to her home port in Rota, Spain. This was the second time that the Spanish frigate has deployed as part of EU NAVFOR, the first hav
UK Navy’s Largest Ship Undocks
The undocking of amphibious assault ship HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy’s largest ship, at the end of July marked an important milestone in the extensive 15 month deep maintenance period being carried out by Babcock. The upkeep programme is the largest on a Royal Navy warship in Devonport for over 20 yea