Operations
USS Gettysburg Sailors Participate in VBSS
USS Gettysburg (CG 64) Sailors participated in visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) team training as part of Exercise Joint Warrior off the coast of Scotland, Oct. 2. As part of the training, a small vessel approached the area where Gettysburg was patrolling and acted as a suspected pirate vesse
HMS Sutherland Shows Flexibility in Indian Ocean
HMS Sutherland met up with the giant American support ship USNS Supply to take on fuel and other supplies – and support her ongoing fight against illegal activity on sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. This a very bendy HMS Sutherland – as seen from close to the top of her 996 radar mast, […]
UK: HMS Diamond Tests Her Mettle Against Fastest Jet Fighters in the World
New destroyer HMS Diamond tested her mettle against two of the fastest jet fighters in the world when she played cat and mouse with US Air Force F15 Strike Eagles. The Type 45 warship came under mock attack from the American jets during a mine warfare exercise in the Gulf, when Diamond was called up
Royal Navy’s Next-Generation Merlin Helicopter Debuts at Sea
The Navy’s next-generation Merlin helicopter has made its debut at sea with 12 days of trials aboard HMS Illustrious. The first of 30 new and enhanced Mk2 Merlins flew ten sorties on and off the flight deck of the helicopter carrier in the Western Approaches. Being guided safely down on to the deck
HMS Illustrious Leaves for Major Mediterranean Exercise
Sea King and Merlin helicopters emerged from the mist to land on HMS Illustrious before she sailed for a major Mediterranean exercise. Six aircraft flew thundered around Portsmouth harbour yesterday morning before they embarked the helicopter carrier in driving rain. The Portsmouth-based ship then s
‘Joint Warrior’ Gets Underway in Scotland
From the Moray Firth to the Clyde warships, submarines and aircraft have been getting ready for the start of Europe’s largest military exercise. Exercise Joint Warrior involves 24 ships, two submarines , 40 aircraft and over 4,500 military personnel from ten countries, including the US, France, Cana
ROS Regele Ferdinand Joins EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA
Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand today joined the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) – Operation ATALANTA, combating piracy off Somalia. In doing so she becomes the first Romanian warship to take part in the EU’s counter-piracy operation. Commissioned into the Romanian Navy in 2004, the 146
BSF Landing Ship Novocherkassk Deploys for Mediterranean Sea
Having completed preparations for a long-range cruise, Black Sea Fleet (BSF) landing ship Novocherkassk left Sevastopol… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, October 02, 2012; Image: flot
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping to Perform Survey of Russian Navy Training Ship Smolny
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) will perform survey of the Russian Navy training ship Smolny under repair. The relevant agreement was concluded between RS and JSC Rosoboronexport. The RS activities include survey of the ship’s hull, machinery, electrical equipment and arrangements under r
UK: HMS Duncan Returns to Clyde After Initial Trials
Britain’s newest destroyer, HMS Duncan, has returned to the Clyde after highly-successful month-long initial trials. The sixth and final Type 45 destroyer tested her ability to manoeuvre, fire most of her weapons and flashed up her combat systems during the four weeks of tests off western Scotland.
Royal Navy Roars Into Mediterranean for Key 2012 Deployment
More than 3,000 sailors and Royal Marines are geared up for a three-month deployment to the Mediterranean – the key workout in 2012 of the UK’s new task force. Cougar 12 will see the Response Force Task Group train with the French – including their flagship Charles de Gaulle – and Albanians among ot
Russia: BF Frigates Return from Deployment
Baltic Fleet (BF) frigates Yaroslav Mudry (commanding officer Capt 2 Rank Alexei Suglobov) and Neustrashimy… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, September 30, 2012
HMS Blyth Takes Command of Mediterranean Task Group
HMS Blyth, the Clyde-based mine hunter currently deployed to the Mediterranean, has taken up position as “command platform” of a NATO task group in the region. The sophisticated Sandown Class Mine Counter Measures vessel, or MCMV, left its home at HM Naval Base Clyde June this year for a 3,000 mile
UK: London’s Royal Navy Reserve Unit Keeps Thames Safe For Olympics
London’s Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) unit, HMS President, was the hub of the Royal Navy’s security operation on the River Thames during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With its riverside location by Tower Bridge, and rapid access via road or water to all key venues, HMS President proved