Operations
UK: Alnmaritec, BMT Nigel Complete Design, Delivery of High Speed Patrol Boat
In partnership with Northumbrian boat builder, Alnmaritec, BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd the leading international maritime design and engineering consultancy has recently completed the design and delivery of its 40 knot fast patrol boat design. The vessel is destined for the Arab
USA: Argon ST Lands Additional SSEE Contract
The Boeing Company has announced that the U.S. Navy has exercised an additional contract option for production and delivery of Ship’s Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F systems. The $53 million award to Boeing subsidiary Argon ST is for the second lot of full-rate production (FRP) syst
Scotland’s Top Royal Navy Diver Flies to Italy in Grim But Vital Costa Concordia Mission
Scotland’s top Royal Navy diver, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, flies to Rome for multi-national discussions about the best way to recover the remaining bodies trapped in the luxury liner Costa Concordia. His swift departure for the Italian capital follows contact made by the Italian authorities to t
VCNO Concludes Three-Day Visit to Australia
The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) concluded a three-day engagement visit to Canberra and Darwin, Australia, Feb. 21. Adm. Mark Ferguson met with Chief of the Australian Navy Vice Adm. Ray Griggs and U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey L. Bleich, toured naval facilities, and delivered remarks to students
Iranian Warships Use Special Hardware to Jam Radio Bands
Iranian warships moored at Syrian port Tartus are equipped with special hardware to jam radio bands of Syrian opposition, writes London-headquartered Arab newspaper Asharq Alawsat. Referring to sources in Egyptian intelligence agencies, the newspaper reports that Iranian warships are jamming communi
UK: EU NAVFOR Hosts Press Conference to Present Update on Operation ATALANTA
EU NAVFOR hosted a press conference on 20 February 2012 to present an update on Operation ATALANTA, piracy off the Horn of Africa and a view towards future developments. The briefing was hosted by Operation Commander Rear Admiral Duncan L. Potts with Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Rainer En
USS Blue Ridge CO Thanks Family Readiness Group
The commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), U.S. 7th Fleet command ship, presented the ship’s Family Readiness Group’s (FRG) cabinet with letters of thanks, Feb. 21. Capt. Daniel Grieco presented the awards during an informal ceremony in his cabin while the group enjoyed cookies and coffee. E
Iranian Warships Return Through Suez Canal
The Reuters reports that Iranian naval ships returned from Syria through the Suez Canal yesterday. The two warships entered the Suez Canal early in the morning and were expected to leave the canal same day afternoon. They had docked at Port of Tartous, Syria, in show of support for Syrian President.
Russian: Community will Know if Inflamed Submarine Had Nuclear Arms Onboard, Vice Premier Says
By Feb 24, the investigative committee will finish an inquiry into the fire outbreak happened to SSBN Yekaterinburg, Russian vice premier Dmitry Rogozin told reporters adding that community would be informed if the sub had nuclear weapons on board during the incident. “Till the month end, namely by
UK: Navy Helps Reduce Somali Pirate Activity
Following his posting as Commander of the UK Counter-Piracy Task Group, Captain Gerry Northwood, Royal Navy, has written in The Times newspaper about how concerted efforts are helping reduce attacks on merchant vessels. Captain Northwood writes: “Eleven pirates on board with automatic weapons and ro
Russia to Arm Venezuelan Coast Guard with Bal-E Mobile Missile Systems
Venezuelan Armed Forces are about to establish a Coast Guard Command armed with Russian-made Bal-E mobile missile systems, reports Infodefensa. At present, a group of Venezuelan officers and technicians is passing initial training in Russia. Caracas was supposed to receive coast defense missile syst
USA: CSG’s Air Wing Commander Credits PMFR with Honing Strike Group Readiness
As the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 17, the CSG’s Air Wing Commander credited the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) with improving the group’s readiness seven months earlier as it prepared to deploy. “The Hawaii Range Complex provid
HMS Somerset to Return Home After Six-Month Deployment
An emotional homecoming is expected when the Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset returns to HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth, on Friday (24 February) following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. HMS Somerset’s second-in-command Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Ben Aldous, said: “Our home
US Navy Announces Changes to IDP
Sailors will now receive imminent danger pay (IDP) only for days they actually spend in IDP areas, according to NAVADMIN 062/12, released Feb. 17. This change, announced by the Department of Defense Feb. 2 and enacted in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, was implement