Operations
International submarine escape and rescue drill concludes in Italy
A major submarine escape and rescue exercise hosted by Italy concluded in the Gulf of Taranto on November 8. In addition to two submarines and multiple ships, the exercise was attended by International Submarine Escape & Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) based in Northwood, United Kingdom. Greek subma
Raising HNoMS Helge Ingstad to take three weeks
An operation to raise the almost-submerged Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad following a collision in the Hjeltefjorden fjord on November 8 is expected to be completed within some three weeks, the navy has said. Should all go according to plans, the stricken frigate will be loaded on
USS Lewis B. Puller embarks first airborne mine countermeasures in Middle East
The US Navy’s expeditionary sea-base platform ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) has embarked an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to the “Blackhawks” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 for the first time in the US 5th Fleet area of operations. The training, which concluded Novemb
USS Bulkeley returns from deployment with Harry S. Truman carrier strike group
US Navy destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on November 11, completing a seven-month deployment to the Navy’s US 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship operated as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) and also conducted independent operations in
CARAT kicks off in Brunei
The US Navy’s annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise kicked off at Muara Naval Base, Brunei, November 12. The CARAT exercise series is conducted every year by the US Navy. The evolution in Brunei started after similar engagements concluded in Indonesia, Malaysia a
HNoMS Helge Ingstad now almost completely sunk, Norwegian Navy photos show
Latest photos of the stricken frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad shared by the Royal Norwegian Navy on Tuesday reveal that the frigate is now almost completely underwater. In a social media update in the early morning hours of Tuesday, the navy said unexpected events “complicated” plans for the salvage ope
Royal Navy begins Tide-class Chinook trials
The Royal Navy has started Chinook helicopter trials for the Tide-class tankers off Portsmouth and in the Navy’s South Coast exercise areas. The trials for the largest helicopter in the UK armed forces inventory are taking place aboard RFA Tidesurge, the third of four ships in the class. The underta
After Trident Juncture, USS Harry S Truman docks in Portugal
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, for a port visit on November 10, after completing its participation in NATO exercise Trident Juncture. The carrier dropped anchor in Portugal after over a month of operations in the North Atlantic and becoming the first US carr
Norwegian frigate finally secured to land as salvage plans move forward
The Royal Norwegian Navy’s stricken frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad is now securely fixed with seven anchoring points on land and is out of danger of sinking, the navy has informed. Over the weekend, a total of seven fixing points welded onto the frigate’s hull were fixed to anchors on land with steel w
Update: Norwegian Navy working on securing frigate to land
Norway’s AEGIS frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad has spent the night on the rocks after sustaining a gashing hole in her hull following a collision with a commercial tanker on November 8. In their latest update, the Norwegian Navy said the frigate remained in place on the rocks in Hjeltefjorden where she
Canadian Coast Guard welcomes two new channel survey and sounding vessels
The Canadian Coast Guard has accepted two new channel survey and sounding vessels (CSSVs) into the fleet. The ships, CCGS Jean Bourdon and CCGS Helen Irene Battle, will support the ongoing commitment to ensure the safety of mariners in Canada as they serve as the platform for the Canadian Hydrograph
US Coast Guard to commission 1st California-based fast response cutter in San Pedro
The US Coast Guard is scheduled to commission today the first California-based 154-foot fast response cutter at Catalina Express Terminal in San Pedro. The Forrest Rednour (WPC-1129) is the first of four Sentinel-Class fast response cutters (FRC) to be homeported at Base Los Angeles-Long Beach. In J
Norwegian frigate collides with tanker after Trident Juncture
Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad collided with an oil tanker in a fjord in Norway as it was returning from NATO exercise Trident Juncture. The incident occurred at 4:26 (local time) on November 8 in Hjeltefjorden, north of Sotra, Norwegian Armed Forces said. Eight sailors have suffer
US Navy recognizes Anzac frigate for help after USS Fitzgerald collision
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Anzac frigate HMNZS Te Kaha received an award by the US Navy at the Devonport Naval Base on November 2. The award recognised the support provided by the ship’s company to the US Navy for a week in June/July last year. Te Kaha demonstrated the highest standards of seamans