Operations
USS Mason Drops Anchor in Palermo, Italy
Guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) arrived in Palermo, Italy for a scheduled port visit, on March 31. The port visit is designed to continue Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s efforts to strengthen maritime partnerships with European nations in order to improve maritime safety and security in t
Spanish Warships Visit Doha during DIMDEX 2014
The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and the OPV ‘Relámpago’ visited Doha (Qatar) during the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2014) Both warships made the most of their scheduled port calls in support of the national defense industry in what is considered the most imp
Korea: Boxer Amphibious Ready Group Participates in Ssang Yong 2014
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), began participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 March 27 off the coast of the Republic of Korea (ROK) with the ROK navy and Marine Corps. Ssang Yong, which means “twin dragons,” is an annual combined exe
Spanish Frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ Returns Home
The Spanish frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) has arrived in Ferrol after 179 days out of her home port, integrated into the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2). During this deployment the F-101 participated in operation ‘Active Endeavour’ fighting terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea and the coun
Joint Forces New Zealand Changes Command
On March 31, Major General (MAJGEN) Tim Gall became the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand. At a Change of Command parade held at Trentham MAJGEN Gall was promoted to his new rank and took command of Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (HQ JFNZ). MAJGEN Gall was raised in Invercargill and Nelson
Final Preps for USNS Spearhead’s Deployment Gain Momentum
Service members and civilians involved in the scheduled deployment of the joint high speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) this summer to the U.S. Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations met March 25 and March 26 at Naval Station Mayport to finalize plans for the mission. The Spearhe
ESPS Relampago Welcomes Aboard EU Flagship Commander
On 16th March the Force Commander of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean visited the Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel, ESPS Relampago for the first time since the ship arrived in the piracy high risk area. ESPS Relampago joined Operation Atalanta, the EU
USS Robert G. Bradley Ends US Navy Service
Nearly 30 years after she was commissioned in 1984, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Pete Ehlers, commanding officer of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), decommissioned the ship on March 28, at a Naval Station Mayport ceremony. Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander, Joint Special Operations Command, was the guest spea
EU Navfor Bids Fond Farewell to MV Caroline Scan
After two and a half years protecting the World Food Programme (WFP) ship, MV Caroline Scan, from pirate attack off the coast of Somalia, the EU Naval Force has bid the vessel and her hard-working crew a fond farewell. In April 2014, MV Caroline Scan will be entering a period of maintenance, so th
USS Boxer Earns Battle E Award
The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer received the 2013 Battle Effectiveness (Battle E) Award for Commander, Amphibious Squadron One. The announcement was made via naval message from Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific, March 20. In addition to the 2013 award, Boxer also was the recipient in 20
Ramsgate Hosts Three Royal Navy Patrol Vessels (UK)
The Universities Royal Naval Units’ (URNU) ships, HMS Example, HMS Blazer and HMS Puncher, will call in at Ramsgate during their Easter deployments. Example is Northumbria universities’ ship and she arrived at Ramsgate Marina on Saturday March 29, remaining in town until Monday. Blazer, which is t
UK: Rolls-Royce Gets KC-130J Contract
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to support the US Marines Corps fleet of KC-130J air-to-air refuelling tankers, worth more than $50 million. The MissionCare™ contract covers sustainment services for more than 200 Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines as well as propellers and other propulsion system
Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Wraps Up Mission to Middle East
Ships and embarked squadrons from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) completed operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR) March 28. The strike group completed a 120-mile transit of the Suez Canal, marking the end to more than seven straight months of operations in th
HMAS Toowoomba Joins International Search for MH370
The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Toowoomba departed Fleet Base West near Perth on 29 March, to join the international search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. The Anzac-class frigate has been diverted from other operational tasks to join the search. It will carry a S-70B2 Seahawk helicopter whi