Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced that the Australian Government had approved the acquisition of 24 MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ naval combat helicopters at a cost of over $3 billion. The 2009 Defence White Paper committed the Government to equippin
Sailors assigned to guided-missile frigates USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43) participated in a community relations project at an elementary school in Talcahuano, Chile, June 13. The 18 Sailors repainted classrooms and a cafeteria, and assisted with landscaping at Escuela Corneta Cabrales, a
Britain’s flagship HMS Albion has passed through the Suez Canal as the Navy’s key deployment of 2011 resumes. Events in Libya saw the assault ship, her escorting frigate HMS Sutherland and tanker RFA Wave Knight, plus helicopter carrier HMS Ocean and ‘floating warehouse’ RFA Fort Rosalie, diverted t
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) completed sea trials June 15, marking another milestone in the warship’s long and storied career. During the sea trials, the aircraft carrier engaged in high-speed turns and various other tests. Along with testing the ship and its equipment, Sailors participat
US State Department considers the Sea Breeze 2011 exercise a display of close cooperation between the US and Ukraine, and welcomes Moscow to hold by its own opinion, said Mark Toner, spokesman for US State Department at the briefing on June 13. Russian Foreign Ministry earlier stated that Aegis-carr
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departed Naples, Italy, June 14 after a three-day port visit. The ship is deployed in support of maritime support operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. This is the ship’s maiden deployment. Throughout the visit
Survey ship HMS Echo is giving the anti-piracy effort in the Indian Ocean ‘the edge’ by updating badly-needed charts of the region – eliminating no-go areas for Allied warships. The Devonport-based ship is gathering reams of bathymetric data – recording the depth of the ocean – in these troubled wat
In accordance with defense minister’s order, Baltic Fleet (BF) suspended ammunition recycling works since June 7. BF Commander ordered to set special commission in order to inspect depots and arsenals. The commission will check whether fire safety measures are fulfilled, and ammunitions are stored a
The Bold Monarch 2011 joint submarine rescue exercise finished on June 10 off Spain. Russia was represented by Black Sea Fleet (BSF) assets – rescue ship Epron, salvage tug Shakhter, mooring lighter KIL-158, and diesel submarine Alrosa. Throughout ten days the joint force practiced search-and-rescue
HMS York is on the last leg of her five-month deployment to the southern oceans after passing through the world’s greatest manmade waterway. After the bulk of her deployment around the Falklands, Britain’s fastest destroyer warship shifted oceans to the Pacific to begin a seven-and-a-half-week passa
Northern Fleet (NF) large ASW ship Severomorsk called at Djibouti port on June 11. The formal visit of the Russian warship lasts till June 14. Russian delegation headed by ambassador Valery Orlov boarded Severomorsk in the port. Also, the cruise commander paid a social visit to the Chief of Staff of
HMS Enterprise returned to her home port of Plymouth on Friday 10 June after 20 months away. The survey ship returned to Devonport having sailed over 50,000 miles during her deployment. Her most recent operations over the last few months include surveying an area the size of Dartmoor National Park.
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) returned to its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., June 13, after 45 days away conducting exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment. Stennis recently completed Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Training Exercise (JTFEX). “This underway
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recognized more than 50 individuals and commands for improving Department acquisition processes with a combined cost savings to the government of more than $5.5 billion during a ceremony at the Pentagon June 13. “I want to thank the whole acquisition community of the
