Operations
Australia: Northrop Grumman Showcases Its Portfolio at Pacific 2013
Northrop Grumman Corporation is participating in the Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, where it will highlight its maritime security capabilities, including unmanned aircraft systems for maritime and coastal surveillance, marine navigation, radar and mine detection systems, a
USA: 26th Successful Intercept for SM-3 Program
In a Missile Defense Agency test, the U.S. Navy fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IB, made by Raytheon Company, from the USS Lake Erie. The SM-3 eliminated the medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target. “We remain on track to deliver this critical capability in time for a 2015 deployment in suppor
HMS Westminster Tests Her Skills in Gulf of Oman
Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster currently on deployment has been putting her submarine hunting skills to the test with a combined UK and US Naval Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise in the Gulf of Oman. HMS Westminster is part of the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) currently on the Royal Navy’s
USNS Montford Point Completes Final Contract Trials
The Navy’s first-in-class mobile landing platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1), successfully completed final contract trials Sept. 13. Final contract trials (FCT) are the final in-depth examination of a newly constructed ship while still under warranty to the shipbuilder. FCT are conducted by the Na
US, Japan Strengthen Security & Defense Ties
U.S. and Japanese diplomatic and military leaders agreed to revise the 1997 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation, increase security and defense collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and advance the realignment of American troops in Japan. U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry
George Washington Strike Group Reflects on 40 Years in Japan
The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group observed its 40th anniversary of the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and carrier air wing operating from Japan, Oct. 5. In 1973, aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV 41) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 arrived in Japan with missions to stabilize the security a
Sri Lanka: Navy’s OPV Rescues 65 Persons
Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel, Sagara has been dispatched to rescue around 65 persons stranded in the south western deep seas. The multi-day trawler, which had carried the people, is named “Dinuja Putha” and it had developed mechanical problems while in the sea between Sri Lanka and the Ma
ITS Zeffiro Conducts Friendly Approach
On Tuesday 1 October 2013, Italian warship ITS Zeffiro conducted a Friendly Approach with a Yemeni dhow in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. ITS Zeffiro sent a Djiboutian linguist with the warship’s security team to the dhow in order to investigate the nature of the crew’s activities. The security tea
The Seychelles: Eleven Pirates Apprehended by HNLMS Van Amstel Found Guilty
On Wednesday, 2 October 2013 eleven pirates were convicted in the Seychelles Supreme Court of committing acts of piracy and operating a pirate vessel between 7 – 11 May 2012. Their sentences ranged from 18 months to 16 years. The pirates had been apprehended by the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate, HN
Scotland Ready for Exercise Joint Warrior
A major multinational military exercise is set to get underway in October with dozens of ships, aircraft and land units participating across Scotland. Exercise Joint Warrior is a tri-service multinational exercise held during the spring and autumn of each year. Providing high quality tactical traini
USS Cowpens Comes Back to 7th Fleet AO
The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) returned to the 7th Fleet area of operations after essential repairs Sept. 29. Home-ported in San Diego, Cowpens and is on deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations promoting maritime security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Cowpens swapped hul
UK: Royal Navy Officer Receives Top Award
A team led by an Orkney born Royal Navy Officer has received a top award. The Merlin helicopter flight of the Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans has been presented the distinguished Sopwith Cup. The presentation took place in June at 829 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall
USS Boxer, USS Orleans Dock in Singapore
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), and the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), visited Singapore for their second port visit since entering the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, Oct. 2. The two ships are currently deployed in the U.S. 7th F
USS Bataan Sailors, 22nd MEU Marines Start Preparations for Upcoming Deployment
More than 1,300 Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and almost 1,000 Sailors from USS Bataan (LHD 5) departed Norfolk Sept. 20, 2013 to begin PHIBRON-MEU Integration (PMINT) off the coast of eastern North Carolina. The PMINT exercise allowed the Sailors and Marines to work with each