Operations
US creates European ballistic missile defense task force
The U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet operating in Europe and Africa has established a new task force that will be solely responsible for ballistic missile defense in Europe. On March 24, Commodore Jeffrey Wolstenholme assumed command of the newly established Commander, Task Force 64, as the unit was named. U.S
US Coast Guard assists in $194 million cocaine seizure
A U.S. Coast guard vessel seized around 5,800 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $193,939,000 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on March 2. The action, directed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations agents, lead to the arrest of four drug traffickers. The crew aboard a P-3 Lo
German combat support ship ‘Berlin’ changes command
German Navy combat support ship EGV Berlin is set to hold a change of command ceremony on March 31, 2016, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Frigate Captain Marcel Rosenbohm, who has been the ship’s commander since November, 2012, will be relieved by Frigate Captain Sven Hikele during the ceremony on board
Mystery solved: US Navy boat found after 95 years
A team of researchers from the U.S. Navy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have found the wreck of a navy fleet tug whose whereabouts have been a mystery for 95 years. The USS Conestoga (AT 54) was found in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary off San Francisco, aft
EUNAVFOR vessels seize 98 vessels, arrest 58 smugglers in Op Sophia
Since EUNAVFOR’s mission to tackle human trafficking and smuggling in the Central Mediterranean Sea and off the coast of Libya entered its second phase, Op Sophia ships have seized 98 vessels and helped arrest 58 suspect smugglers. The Op Sophia mission started June 22, 2015 with the first phase of
Royal Navy survey ship returns from nine-month deployment
Royal Navy ship HMS Scott has returned to HM Naval Base Devonport after completing a nine-month, worldwide deployment. As the only deep-water survey vessel in the Royal Navy, the ship deployed in June last year following an extensive refit last summer. The captain of HMS Scott, Commander Karen Dalto
Second Russian Navy Admiral Grigorovich-class ship on state trials
Russian Navy’s second frigate of the Project 11356, ‘Admiral Essen’, carried out a base transition and arrived in Kronstadt, Russia. Since the Admiral Grigorovich-class ship is currently performing state tests, the transition was attended by representatives of the factory acceptance team together wi
Indian Navy deploys maritime aircraft to Seychelles
The Indian Navy has deployed a P 8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Seychelles on March 20, to conduct surveillance missions in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Seychelles, in accordance with the MoU between the Governments of India and Seychelles. The Indian Navy has, in the past, undertaken surv
USS San Jacinto joins Ike’s carrier strike group
U.S. Navy’s Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) sailed out of Naval Station Norfolk to begin composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), March 16. San Jacinto will join the rest of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to conduct COMPTUEX, which tests the strike
Chinese warship frees illegal fishing boat detained by Indonesia
A heavily armed Chinese patrol vessel on March 19 ordered a smaller Indonesian Navy vessel to free a Chinese fishing boat caught fishing illegally in the Natuna Sea, which is in the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone. While Indonesian authorities were forced to escort the fishing boat outside their
8 injured aboard US aircraft carrier
Eight sailors aboard the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) were injured on March 18 when an arresting gear broke during a routine landing by an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, the U.S. Navy said. The injured sailors were working on the flight deck at the time of the mishap. Six
Royal Navy’s third Astute-class submarine enters service
HMS Artful, Royal Navy’s first Astute Class submarine on March 18 officially started service with the Royal Navy after a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde. Since the 97 metre submarine was handed over to the Royal Navy by BAE Systems Submarines in December 2015, it has been conducting trials to prove
NATO mine counter measures group visits Montenegro
Led by the Turkish tender TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasa, ships from NATO’s mine counter measures group two (SNMCMG2) arrived in Bar, Montenegro, March 18. The ships are on a scheduled port visit during the group’s deployment to the Mediterranean to enhance maritime security and readiness. The visit
HMAS Mermaid tests new 3D technology on sunken minehunter
Royal Australian Navy’s Survey Motor Launch HMAS Mermaid was recently conducting hydrographic survey work in Far North Queensland, Australia and visited the wreck of HMAS Warrnambol (I). The Bathurst class minesweeper was clearing a mine-field in the Great Barrier Reef when on September 13, 1947 she