Operations
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond deploys to the Mediterranean
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond got underway from Portsmouth on September 29 for maritime security operations in the Mediterranean Sea. The Type 45 destroyer will provide reassurance to allies in the region throughout the autumn. The deployment follows a busy few months for HMS Diamond and her crew
German Navy corvette returning from Lebanon mission
The lead ship of the German Navy’s K130 corvettes, the FGS Braunschweig, is returning from a five-month mission in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The corvette, manned by the “Charlie” crew, is scheduled to return to her homeport in Warnemünde on October 5. C
F-35Bs land on HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time ever
The UK has once again joined the club of aircraft carrier operating nations as first F-35Bs landed on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth. Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray and RAF Squadron Leader Andy Edgell were the first pilots to make history by landing their F-35 Lightning stealth jets on the
Wasp ARG ships in live-fire drill in South China Sea
The new flagship of US 7th Fleet’s amphibious forces carried out a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea on September 27. Joined by the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the USS Wasp amphibious ready group (ARG) conducted an integrated Defense of the Amphibious Task Force (DATF) dri
HMS Argyll trains with helicopter carrier JS Kaga en route to South China Sea
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll on Wednesday joined a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force task group led by helicopter carrier JS Kaga for maneuvers in the Indian Ocean. Prior to drills with the Royal Navy, JS Kaga’s group was part of the first known Japanese anti-submarine warfare drill in the
French frigate seizes 7 tons of hashish in Indian Ocean
French Navy frigate FS Floreal has seized over 7 tons of hashish from two dhows in the Indian Ocean on September 23 and 24. According to Combined Maritime Forces, the drugs are valued at $3.5m, based on street values in Yemen, which was the expected destination for the hashish. This is the most sign
Sea Guardian special ops unit achieves full operational capability
NATO’s operation Sea Guardian Special Operations Command Control Element (SOCCE) achieved full operational capability last week, NATO’s Maritime Command has announced. On September 20, under Maritime Command (MARCOM) guidance and SOCCE control, an opposed live boarding exercise commenced with the pa
USCG cutter home after seizing $61 million worth of drugs
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) cutter Seneca returned on September 25 to her homeport of Boston following a 50-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Seneca crewmembers and a tactical law enforcement detachment team conducted multiple interdictions while patrolling international
Royal Navy announces photographic competition winners
The Royal Navy has announced this year’s winners of the annual Peregrine Trophy Awards photographic competition. The Peregrine Trophy is awarded to the photographic section or unit submitting the best portfolio of six images of Service-related subjects captured throughout the year. This year’s winne
USS California returns from six-month European deployment
Virginia-class submarine USS California (SSN 781) wrapped up a six-month deployment, returning to her Groton homeport on Friday, Sept. 21. The nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarine, under the command of Cmdr. Dave Payne, California returned to her homeport of Naval Submarine Base, New London follow
US Navy concludes Middle East drills
US Navy and coalition assets completed the US 5th Fleet Theater Counter Mine and Maritime Security Exercise on September 18. As explained, the multi-faceted exercise was conducted to ensure maritime stability and security in the US Central Command area of responsibility, connecting the Mediterranean
Sailors injured in fire aboard German Navy frigate in Baltic Sea
A fire broke out aboard the German Navy frigate FGS Schleswig-Holstein while the ship was underway in the Baltic Sea on September 17. While the fire was quickly brought under control by the ship’s crew, ten sailors were injured after inhaling smoke. According to the German Navy, the fire broke out i
Smuggled cigarettes found on Italian Navy transport ship
Italian Navy transport vessel Nave Caprera was used to smuggle cigarettes on the return trip from Libya where the ship was deployed in support of an EU migrant interdiction mission. The ship reportedly returned to the Italian Navy base Brindisi with over 700 kg of cigarettes on board. This was confi
Elbit lands $173m naval remote weapon station deal in Asia-Pacific
Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems announced it has been contracted to deliver naval remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS) for navy and coast guard ships of an unidentified Asia-Pacific country. The contract is worth approximately $173 million and will be performed over a five-year period,