Operations
German minehunter Weilheim joining NATO mine warfare group SNMCMG1
German Navy Frankenthal-class minehunter FGS Weilheim is set to join the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) for over four months of joint operations. The vessel will depart its Kiel homeport on July 29 for a two-week at-sea phase before heading to the German Navy’s fire and damage
Italian aircraft carrier Cavour docks for F-35B upgrades
The 2008-built carrier will be fitted with capability to operate the Joint Strike Fighter.
US Navy ends search for missing USS Abraham Lincoln sailor
The US Navy has ended its search and rescue efforts for a sailor believed to have gone overboard from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the morning hours of July 17. The sailor, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, is still listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). The ca
Search underway for USS Abraham Lincoln sailor reported missing in Arabian Sea
A sailor assigned to US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) has been declared missing on July 17. A search for the sailor is currently underway in the Arabian Sea. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Spanish Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate
Trump says USS Boxer jammed an Iranian drone to bring it down
The sailors and marines aboard US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer have destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz on July 18, US president Donald Trump said during a White House event. While various media reports said the incident was confirmed by “senior defense officials”, Iranian o
Destroyer USS Stethem returns from 14-year deployment
US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) has returned to the US after spending 14 years forward-deployed to Japan as part of the US 7th Fleet. The destroyer arrived at its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego on July 18. Stethem traded Fleet Activities Yokosuka with San Diego as its n
Post-repair tests reveal new issues on USS John S. McCain
The latest round of tests carried out on US Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain after it was repaired following a deadly 2017 collision have revealed further issues postponing the ship’s return to the fleet. The Japan-based ship was expected to complete all repairs from the collision with a merchant v
Australia leads its “largest amphibious assault since WWII”
A multinational amphibious landing and offensive assault was part of exercise Talisman Sabre.
Kearsarge amphibious ready group returns from Middle East deployment
Ships from the US Navy’s Kearsarge amphibious ready group (ARG) are set to return to Norfolk on July 18, after eight months of operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. More than 4,500 sailors and marines are embarked aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious trans
Royal Navy’s Martlet missile debuts on Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland
The missile will defend against small boat attacks.
Australian frigate home after seizing over $1B worth of drugs in Middle East
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat returned to its Perth homeport on July 14, following a nine-month deployment to the Middle East. The frigate’s 200 officers and sailors worked together with the international Combined Maritime Forces to seize nearly 20 tonnes of illicit drugs worth an esti
UK sending destroyer Duncan to Persian Gulf amid Iran tensions
The UK is sending Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan to the Persian Gulf in the wake of an escalation of tensions in the region following the scrapping of the Iran nuclear deal and a spate of attacks on commercial tankers. HMS Duncan was operating in the Black Sea when the ship’s new tasking was announced
Dutch Navy modernizing support, hydrographic ships
The Netherlands defense ministry has awarded Dutch shipbuilder Damen a contract for the refit and upgrades of three Royal Netherlands Navy ships. As part of the midlife upkeep (MLU) contract, Damen Shipyards Den Helder will modernize support ship HNLMS Pelikaan, along with hydrographic survey vessel
Royal Navy frigate prevents Iranian vessels from stopping British tanker in Persian Gulf
Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose has chased off five Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessels trying to impede the passage of tanker British Heritage in the Persian Gulf on Thursday. According to media reports, HMS Montrose positioned itself between the tanker and Iranian vessels and issued verbal warnin