Operations
HMS Edinburgh Visits South Africa
With a flash of fire from her saluting gun, the Fortress of the Sea makes her ceremonial entry into the home of the South African Navy. HMS Edinburgh sails into Simons Town where, despite being late winter it’s already warmer than the destroyer’s home base of Portsmouth (over 20˚C). The veteran wars
Russia: Almaz Shipyard Launches Project 12200 Sobol 2nd Rank Patrol Boat
Launching ceremony of Project 12200 Sobol 2nd rank patrol boat (hull number 213) was held on Sept 1 at JSC Almaz Marine Plant. It is the third vessel of this project launched in 2011. The ceremony was conducted routinely because it was 14th Sobol-class boat built by Almaz shipyard. Despite the stand
Vice Adm. Mark Fox Visits USS George H.W. Bush
Commander, US. 5th Fleet, accompanied the Sailors of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as it transited the Strait of Hormuz Aug. 30. Vice Adm. Mark Fox embarked the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, visited with crew members, and expressed his appreciation for their ef
The Netherlands: Damen Schelde Naval Begins SAT for “Zeeland”
On Wednesday 31 August, the second of four Holland Class Oceangoing Patrol Vessels, “Zeeland” built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding for the Royal Netherlands Navy, left Vlissingen, The Netherlands, for her sea acceptance trials (SAT). During the SAT, primarily the platform as well as parts of th
Black Sea Fleet Large Landing Ship Caesar Kunikov Returns to Sevastopol, Ukraine
Summer activation of Black Sea joint task group BLACKSEAFOR headed by Russian Navy’s representative Capt 1 rank Yury Zemsky finished on Aug 29 in Bulgarian port Varna. During the exercise warships of Black Sea states carried out a number of humanitarian drills. Besides, Bulgarian, Russian, Romanian,
UK: Antarctic Survey Vessel HMS Protector Prepares for Maiden Mission
Looking more like one of Her Majesty’s Ships by the day – and less like an oil rig support vessel – is new Antarctic survey vessel HMS Protector, which has spent the summer being readied for her inaugural deployment. The Portsmouth-based ship now boasts miniguns (Gatling guns) and General Purpose Ma
Norwegian Army Visits Guided-Missile Frigate USS Carr
A platoon of troops from the Norwegian army toured the guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) Aug. 30. Carr was pierside in Tromso for a three-day port visit to the northern Norwegian town. During their visit, Carr Sailors invited the Norwegian army aboard the Norfolk-based frigate to strengthen t
Russia: PF ASW Ship Brigade Turns 45
Throughout this period, PF antisubmariners have participated in numerous important events. Only in the Indian Ocean ships of the brigade were on mission over 30 times. For instance, during Iran-Iraqi war of 1987-1990 in the Persian Gulf PF antisubmarine ships safely escorted 150 merchant ships throu
Russia: BF Military Council Convenes Meeting in Kaliningrad
Session of Baltic Fleet (BF) Military Council was held in Kaliningrad under the guidance of BF Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov; the subject was the fleet’s everyday problems, fire and explosion safety at the fleet’s assets, and anti-corruption measures. Also, representatives of BF command and
UK: Royal Navy Warship HMS Ledbury to Visit Bristol
Royal Navy warship HMS Ledbury will sail into Bristol from Wednesday August 31 for the start of a six-day visit and the general public will have the chance to go on board this ultra-modern, fighting mine-hunter. The ship has enjoyed a long-standing affiliation with the town of Ledbury in Hertfordshi
Russia: Warships of Black Sea Fleet Conduct Antiaircraft Drill
Warships of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) have successfully performed missile firing at air targets, reported Capt Vyacheslav Trukhachev, press secretary of BSF Commander on Aug 29. “At the closing stage of tactical exercise directed by BSF Commander Rear Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, Guard missile cruiser
Russia: Khabarovsk Shipyard Launches Sea-Going Ice-Class Tug for PF
New sea-going ice-class tug was launched at Khabarovsk Shipyard on Aug 26. The solemn launching ceremony was attended by the shipyard’s directors, representatives of Khabarovsk Territory Government, Russian Navy, and Khabarovsk eparchy. Deputy minister of regional industry and transport Sergei Ivash
BLACKSEAFOR Finishes Bulgarian Phase of Exercise
Warships of Black Sea joint task group BLACKSEAFOR headed by Russian large landing ship Caesar Kunikov on Aug 29 had finished Bulgarian phase of the exercise. Participating ships were Bulgarian minesweeper Priboy, Romanian corvette Sebastian, Turkish frigate Yildirim, and Ukrainian minesweeper Cherk
Guided-Missile Frigate USS Carr Departs Edinburgh, Scotland
The guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) departed Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 26, concluding a four-day port visit that was part of U.S. 6th Fleet efforts to build maritime global partnerships with European nations, and improve maritime safety and security. While in port, Carr hosted a reception a