Operations
After Russia, US destroyer USS McCampbell challenges China’s territorial claims with freedom of navigation operation
US Navy destroyer USS McCampbell carried out a South China Sea freedom of navigation operation on Monday, sailing within 12 miles of the Paracel Island chain. According to media reports, the Yokosuka-homeported destroyer sailed near three islands in the chain which is claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan b
USS Fort McHenry is the first US Navy ship to enter Black Sea since Kerch Strait incident
Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) entered the Black Sea on Sunday, becoming the first US Navy ship to do so since the Kerch Strait incident from November 2018 when Russia fired on, and seized, three Ukrainian Navy ships near the the Kerch Strait. USS Fort McHenry, with
Spain’s Aegis-equipped FFG(X) contender en route to US for deployment with USS Abraham Lincoln
Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez got underway from her Ferrol homeport on Thursday to start what will eventually be a year-long deployment with the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The Aegis-equipped Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate (also referred to as F100) will spend the next two
Royal Navy OPV deploys to Channel in response to migrant crossing uptick
The United Kingdom has deployed a Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel to the English Channel as part of the country’s response to the recent increase in migrant crossings. HMS Mersey will support Border Force and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in their efforts to patrol the stretch of water, keep
BAE Systems gets $78m for USS Shoup refit
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded BAE Systems a $78.8 million contract for the maintenance and modernization of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86). The value of the competitively awarded contract could reach $87.6 million if all options are exercised. “The Sho
USS Anchorage trains with Indian destroyer after port visit
US Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) took part in a cooperative deployment with Indian Navy destroyer INS Rajput (D51), December 26. The at sea training followed a port visit to Visakhapatnam, India, Dec. 22-26. During the port visit, the Anchorage and 13th MEU team held pro
US Navy destroyer seizes hashish in Gulf of Aden
US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) seized almost five tons of hashish from a dhow in the Gulf of Aden on December 27. According to the US Navy, the destroyer made the interception during a flag verification boarding as part of maritime security operations in the region. “We h
Japan releases footage of South Korean destroyer’s radar lock-on on JMSDF patrol plane
Japan’s defense ministry has released footage of an incident on December 20 in which a Republic of Korea Navy destroyer trained its fire-control radar on a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft off the Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan. Filmed from aboard the Kawasaki P-1 fixed-wing patrol aircraft of
Italy’s seventh FREMM frigate returns from maiden deployment
FREMM frigate ITS Federico Martinengo returned to its homeport of La Spezia on December 20, completing its maiden deployment. The seventh Italian Navy FREMM frigate started its first operational deployment in August this year after entering service in April. In the past five months, the frigate oper
Australian frigate seizes 900 kilos of heroin in Middle East
Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat seized over 900 kilos of heroin in two separate interceptions in the Middle East, the Royal Australian Navy has announced. In two boarding operations on December 21 and 23, the frigate’s crew seized approximately AU$279 million worth of narcotics as part of the ship
Russian Navy’s Admiral Essen returns from 300-day Mediterranean mission
The Russian Navy’s Black Sea frigate Admiral Essen (751) arrived in Sevastopol on December 26 after completing missions in the Mediterranean, the country’s defense ministry said. The crew of the frigate performed tasks as part of the country’s permanent formation in the Mediterranean Sea from August
Kearsarge ARG ships arrive in Europe
Ships from the US Navy’s Kearsarge amphibious ready group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered the US 6th Fleet area of operations on December 25 for a regularly-scheduled deployment. During its time in theater, the ARG/MEU team and its more than 4,500 sailors and marines
After calls for Black Sea FONOPS, US to support Ukraine Navy with $10m investment
The US state department announced on Friday it would support the development of Ukraine’s naval capabilities with $10 million in foreign military financing (FMF). FMF enables eligible nations to purchase US-produced military equipment, services, and training. The department said the investment was i
US destroyer duo returns from Middle East deployment
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) returned to their homeports after completing a seven-month deployment to Europe and the Middle East. On December 21, USS Jason Dunham returned to Naval Station Norfolk while USS The Sull