Operations
NATO units boost exercise Sea Breeze in Ukraine
A division of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 and maritime assets from other allied nations joined the U.S.-Ukraine co-hosted international exercise Sea Breeze in the Black Sea from July 27 to 30. Personnel from Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine,
US Coast Guard, Royal Navy conduct VBSS drill in Bahrain
The U.S. Coast Guard maritime engagement team (MET) and the Royal Navy from HMS Portland (FS 79) recently carried out a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise at a training site in Bahrain. The exercise was held between July 26- 27 aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain which included a Shi
Pacific Partnership visits Malaysia for first time
The annual Pacific Partnership deployment embarked aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived in Kuantan, Malaysia thereby marking the first time the mission has visited Malaysia, although Malaysia has provided teams to support the mission since 2006. Malaysian civilian and military leadershi
Lockheed Martin delivers final Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 24th, and final, MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to the U.S. Navy in support of the Navy’s foreign military sales (FMS) program with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The milestone delivery took place during a July 27 ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Owego, New York facility.
SNMCMG2 completes Black Sea deployment
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) recently completed its third Black Sea deployment under the command of Turkish Navy Captain Ramazan Kesgin. SNMCMG2 started its deployment on July 8 in support of NATO’s assurance measures regarding alliance resolve and commitment to collective de
USS Frank Cable docks in Goa, India
The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Goa, India, for a port visit, July 29. The visit is aimed at building friendship and goodwill between the U.S. Navy and the people of India. The Frank Cable team, consisting of more than 500 Sailors and civilian mariners, is currently on deploy
Pacific Partnership 2016 completes first live SAR FTX
Pacific Partnership service members from New Zealand, the U.S. and Australia supported a Da Nang border guard-led Search and Rescue Field Training Exercise (SAR FTX) July 26 that began on the Han River and concluded aboard Vietnam people’s navy hospital ship Khanh Hoa and USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). The F
Operation Atalanta welcomes new Deputy Operation Commander
On Friday 29 July 2016 Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrӧm (Swedish Navy) handed over the role of Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of the European Union’s counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia to Rear Admiral Cristobal Gonzalez-Aller (Spanish Navy). The handover took place at the operational He
US military vessel embarks JGSDF vehicles
Embarkation for the first ever point-to-point shipment of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) vehicles aboard a U.S. military vessel took place at Commander, U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, July 27. The embarkation was both practical and a training opportunity to build interoperability between
NAVFAC Atlantic changes command
Capt. Darius Banaji relieved Rear Adm. Louis V. Cariello as commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Atlantic in a ceremony held at NAVFAC Atlantic’s Lafayette River Complex, Norfolk, July 27. Rear Adm. Bret J. Muilenburg, commander, NAVFAC and chief of Civil Engineers, presided ove
UK MoD inks about USD 241,3 Mln weapons system contract
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has signed a £183 million contract for a weapons system which will sit on board the Royal Navy’s new next generation Type 26 Global Combat Ship. The Maritime Indirect Fire System (MIFS) will be integrated onto the Type 26 Global Combat Ships, currently being designed by
Montpelier, Texas receive Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award
Commander, Submarine Forces, Vice Adm. Joseph E. Tofalo, presented the prestigious Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award for 2015 to USS Montpelier (SSN 765) during a pierside presentation at Naval Station Norfolk, July 22. The award encompasses operational readiness, retention and inspections and is pre
Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft Contingents hold handover ceremony
On Tuesday, 26th of July 2016, the Spanish Orion Air Contingent XXV, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Saiz Quevedo, completed a successful four month deployment with Operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia. Detachment XXVI will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Juan Ferrero. The handover
USS Oklahoma City COB Relieved
The chief of the boat (COB) of the Guam-based Los Angeles-class submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) was relieved of his duties July 27, 2016 due to a pattern of ineffective leadership. Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Weapons) Joseph H. Decker III was removed from his position by Cmdr. Patrick Fried