The crew from Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand are proud to be sailing home to their base port of Constanta after completing Romania’s first counter piracy operation as part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia, Operation Atalanta. ROS Regele Ferdinand joined EU NAVFOR at the beginning of
On Sunday 02 December 2012, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR), Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, met with Somali and Djiboutian media on board the EU NAVFOR flagship, ITS San Giusto, off the Somali town of Berbera. The event was the first opportunity fo
The Netherland’s Ministry of Defence and Thales Nederland have signed an agreement for the update of 16 Goalkeeper Close-In Weapon Systems that are operational in the Royal Netherlands Navy. The operational modification will bring the system to the highest operational status again, capable of dealin
The amphibious warship HMS Bulwark returned to her home base of Plymouth last week after two months with the largest Royal Naval deployment of the year in the Mediterranean. The command and control ship led the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) on Exercise Cougar 12, consisting of the helicopter
Extended session of the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Military Council was held in Sevastopol. Officers summarized results… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, December 3, 2012; Image: Flot
The Navy’s key autumn deployment draws to a close with the man in charge delighted it has laid firm foundations for future task groups – and especially Anglo-French co-operation. The two capital ships in the UK’s Response Force Task Group – flagship HMS Bulwark and helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious
The amphibious warship HMS Bulwark is due to return to the South West of England today (Friday) after two-months with the largest Royal Naval deployment of the year in the Mediterranean. The Plymouth-based assault ship is due to berth at about midday tomorrow in HM Naval Base Devonport. The command
Recently HMS Enterprise found the wreck of a dhow in the waters around one of the world’s busiest harbours using her new hi-tech motor launch. Two sunken vessels were discovered by the Devonport-based survey ship as she worked in Port Rashid – one of the main ports serving Dubai – as her nine-month
On Tuesday 27 November 2012, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, met with local Somali fishing representatives, clan elders of coastal communities and local authorities on board the EU NAVFOR flagship, ITS San Giusto, of
This week, Chief of Defence General Tom Middendorp held an introductory visit with the United States’ most senior military officer, General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and met with members of the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington DC. In addition, he opened the
For the second time this year HMS Illustrious launched Army Apache gunships to fire live Hellfire missiles as the helicopters let rip on the ranges off Gibraltar. Seven tank-busting missiles were successfully fired by the Apaches as the carrier headed west having completed her part in the Royal Navy
The Director of Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf region says coalition efforts have led to a fall in piracy attacks against merchant shipping and local fishing dhows but the risk to trade remains high. The International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre reported just one attempted attack
RFA Argus broke off from drug-busting duties in the Caribbean to deliver disaster relief aid to Jamaicans so they can repair more than 70 schools damaged by Superstorm Sandy last month. Although the local authorities dealt with the immediate aftermath of the storm, Argus carries also supplies which
Portsmouth mine warfare experts have now taken over command from their Faslane counterparts in charge of the Royal Navy’s key mine warfare force in the Gulf. After six months in the hot seat, the battle staff from the Faslane-based 1st Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCM1) have handed over command of
