Operations
Dutch, Spanish EU Navfor Warships Conduct Helicopter Exercise
On the morning of 27 March, the helicopter of Dutch EU Naval Force warship HNLMS De Ruyter landed on the flight deck of the Spanish EU Naval Force vessel ESPS Rayo, becoming the first helicopter from another Operation Atalanta unit to land on the Spanish warship. This helicopter landing occurred as
RFA Fort Victoria to Hunt Pirates in Indian Ocean
British Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Fort Victoria is heading up the international task force hunting pirates in the Indian Ocean. RFA Fort Victoria, which traditionally provides crucial supplies for Royal Navy and Coalition warships east of Suez, will serve as the seagoing headquarters for inte
UK: HMS Edinburgh Returns from Her Final Deployment
HMS Edinburgh – the Royal Navy’s last remaining Type 42 destroyer – returned to Portsmouth from her final deployment today (March 28). The 30-year-old warship has spent the last six months patrolling the Atlantic. She decommissions in June – having clocked up 793,345 miles – as the Type 42s make way
Head of British Navy’s South West Fleet Retires
The head of the Royal Navy’s fleet in the South West is retiring after 37 years overseeing great changes. Commodore Jake Moores, commander of the Devonport flotilla’s 21 ships and submarines at Plymouth, says the Royal Navy has become smaller, but more committed and effective during his career. A De
EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander Visits Djiboutian CG, EU NAVFOR Units
The Deputy Operation Commander of EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Eric Dupont (French Navy) recently visited Djibouti when on a regional visit to the Operation Atalanta area of operations. During the visit he met with Lieutenant Colonel Wais O. Bogoreh the Commander of the Djiboutian Coast Guard. Admir
UK: St Albans Makes History
HMS St Albans has shot her way into Royal Navy history – bringing an end to 40 years of gunnery with the legendary 4.5in gun. For four decades the distinctive round Mod 0 gun – fitted to all Type 42 destroyers, Type 23 and later Type 22 frigates – has been the Fleet’s principal weapon […]
Bahrain: HMS Monmouth’s Crew, Rear Admiral Discuss Personnel & Welfare Issues
During a recent visit to Bahrain, the company of HMS Monmouth had the opportunity to discuss key welfare and operational matters. Rear Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and NAVSEC, visited HMS Monmouth to discuss personnel and welfare issues. He met a wide cro
HMS Atherstone Heads East for Stand Down in Dubai, UAE
Following a busy three months at sea, the company of HMS Atherstone are preparing for some down time. For the past three months the members of Mine Countermeasures 2nd Squadron’s Crew 1 – known as ‘The Fighting Aces’ – have been deployed in the Gulf as part of the UK’s enduring presence in the regio
HMS Quorn Divers Gear Up for Biggest Mine Warfare Exercise in the Gulf
Divers from HMS Quorn are preparing for the biggest minehunting exercise of the year in the Middle East. They will join counterparts from 20 or so nations in May at the second annual IMCMEX, which aims to show how the world’s navies can keep the sea lanes open – and deal with the mine threat. [&hell
German Navy MPRS Contribute to Maritime Security around Horn of Africa
Currently it is the 12th rotation of the P3C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRS) and its support group, serving since 20 February with the EU Naval Force. German navy aircraft are contributing to maritime security around the Horn of Africa based in Djibouti for almost ten years.
UK: Modus Creates New AUV Division
Modus Seabed Intervention continues to demonstrate its commitment to be at the forefront of subsea technologies with the creation of a new Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) division. The North East England-based company has begun an investment programme into a planned fleet of AUV units; utilised
RAF Helicopter Helps in Rescue Operation of Injured Fisherman
After being alerted to the situation by Milford Haven Coastguard, the duty RAF search and rescue (SAR) helicopter from A Flight, 22 Squadron, arrived on the scene to find French fishing vessel, ‘Alf’, being tossed around in the water like a piece of driftwood. Weather conditions were so atrocious th
HMS Trenchant Clocks Up Nine Months on Patrol in Indian Ocean
The crew of hunter-killer submarine HMS Trenchant have passed the nine-month barrier on their marathon tour of duty in the Indian Ocean. The Plymouth-based boat has clocked up 277 days on patrol since leaving Devon last year, continually maintaining the UK’s submarine presence east of Suez. She sail
ESPS Rayo Trains with Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard
The Spanish Oceanic Patrol Vessel ESPS Rayo, as part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, has taken advantage of her second port visit in Djibouti to conduct training on 20 and 21 March 2013 with the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard. The Boarding Team of ESPS Rayo and Spani