Operations
HMS Ocean Returns to Plymouth, UK
After seven months away from home, 1,000 loved ones finally got to see them in the flesh as Britain’s biggest warship, HMS Ocean, returned to Plymouth. The ship – which has hit the news around the world this week thanks to a spoof Mariah Carey video (endorsed by the diva herself) – arrived back unde
Somali Pirates Obtained over USD 135 Million Ransoms in 2011, Admiral Says
The current year has brought a record-breaking income to Somali pirates hijacking ships and crews for ransom, said deputy director of EU NAVFOR – Operation Atalanta in the interview to online Bruxelles2. According to the admiral, pirates have obtained over $135 mln ransoms in 2011, while in the past
Sailors, Marines Aboard USS Makin Island Remember 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
A ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor took place Dec. 7 aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) as the ship conducted operations in the western Pacific Ocean. Hundreds of Makin Island Sailors and Marines from 11th Marine E
Forward-Deployed Amphibious Assault Ship USS Essex Returns to Sasebo, Japan
The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) returned to Sasebo, Japan Dec. 8 after completing a two-and-a-half month patrol of the Western Pacific. Throughout the patrol, Essex Sailors along with the embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in two
First of Three Frigates Built for Indian Navy Successfully Passes Last Trials
First of three frigates built for Indian Navy has successfully passed the last trials before delivery, reported RIA Novosti on Dec 7 referring to Sergei Mikhailov, press secretary of JSC Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia). “Project 11356 frigate INS Teg has almost completed closing stage of trial
Vice President Joe Biden Welcomes Home USS Gettysburg’s Sailors
Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to more than 600 Sailors, friends and families during a homecoming celebration for USS Gettysburg (CG-64) Dec. 8. The guided-missile cruiser returned to Naval Station Mayport after a successful seven-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea
Russia: BF Warships Head for Deployment
Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry and replenishment tanker Lena on Dec 7 left BF main naval base Baltiysk heading for the North Sea. The long-range cruise of BF task unit under command of Capt 1 rank Alexander Ivanovsky will be held in accordance with the Russian Navy Combat Training Plan. Th
UK: HMS Diamond Passes Final, Demanding Test
The UK now has three groundbreaking Type 45 destroyers ready to deploy on operations after HMS Diamond passed her final, demanding test. The state-of-the-art warship has come through six weeks of training and assessment off Plymouth, the final hurdle to jump before she can sail on front line duties.
BSF Congratulates Ukrainian Counterparts
Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) command on Dec 6 congratulated Ukrainian naval servicemen on 20th anniversary of Ukrainian Armed Forces. “We closely cooperate in providing security at southern frontiers of our countries and conduct full-scale interaction. Joint exercises, consultations, and festivitie
HMS Astute Visits Norfolk Naval Station, USA
Passing the cruisers USS Monterey (left) and USS Normandy this is the world’s most advanced submarine entering the world’s biggest naval base. HMS Astute made her debut at Norfolk Naval Station – roughly 11 times larger than HM Naval Base Portsmouth and home to more than 70 warships – on the latest
Sailors, Marines Aboard USS New Orleans Reflect on Pearl Harbor, Namesake’s Role in World War II
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) observed a moment of silence Dec. 7 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which resulted in America’s entrance into World War II. The ship’s commanding officer ordered a pause in all s
Russia: NF Carrier Group Starts Long-Range Cruise
Aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov left Northern Fleet (NF) main base Severomorsk and headed for the Barents Sea. Departure of the aircraft carrier kicks off shaping of NF carrier group consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko and auxiliary vessels – rescue tu
USS Abraham Lincoln CSG Deploys
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, embarked on its flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), along with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 and USS Momsen (DDG 92), got underway Dec. 7 from Naval Station Everett for the last time for a scheduled routine deployment. The deployment will be to the western Pacific Co
Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer Disrupts Pirate Activity in Gulf of Aden
USS Carney (DDG 64), part of NATO’s counter-piracy task force Operation Ocean Shield, worked with other NATO forces and coalition partners to disrupt pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 5. A Japanese maritime patrol aircraft patrolling the area on counter-piracy operations spotted a suspicious