North Dakota Submarine Completes Alpha Sea Trials The US nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, North Dakota (SSN-784), returned to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard Tuesday following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas, called alpha sea
NATO’s Counter-Piracy Mission, Operation Ocean Shield, has bid farewell to the Italian destroyer ITS MIMBELLI. The ITS MIMBELLI left Task Force 508 on Wednesday, 6 August 2014, after a job very well done as part of Operation Ocean Shield. The continuous, main effort of Task Force 508 is keeping co
Portsmouth-based warship HMS Middleton has raced into pole position as the Royal Navy’s fastest minehunter following a major upgrade of her engines. HMS Middleton has become the second ship of her class to have new and improved Caterpillar engines fitted as part of a major overhaul. The new engine
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) has entered the Black Sea, Aug. 6, to promote peace and stability in the region. Vella Gulf’s mission is to improve interoperability and work toward mutual goals, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening the co
During a visit to Bahrain, HMS Defender hosted Vice Admiral John W. Miller, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. Vice Admiral Miller was accompanied by Commodore Keith Blount OBE RN, United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander and Deputy Comman
MCM2 Crew 6 has commenced a seven month deployment aboard HMS Atherstone in support of Operation Kipion. Crew 2 handed over the baton to Crew 6 in Bahrain where the Hunt Class Minehunter is operationally based. HMS Atherstone will continue to operate as part of the UK’s contribution to promoting s
ITS Francesco Mimbelli continues her engagement in NATO Ocean Shield antipiracy operation in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, within Combined Task Force 508 (CTF 508). Following a long activity at sea, the Italian destroyer’s personnel, during an operational stop at Salalah harbor (Oman), ha
During the last week end naval air units of the Italian Navy were busy rescuing migrants on boats arriving from North African coasts. Between Friday and Sunday, over 2,500 have been rescued as part of the country’s Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) operation with several units, including frigates Aliseo and
Babcock has successfully trialled a new system for Fleet Time maintenance activities, geared to reducing the burden on ship’s staff (particularly valuable for lean-manned ships) and ensuring optimum safety. The five week trial was undertaken on Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland during her recent
Italian Navy’s launcher destroyer Andrea Doria has set sail from the Mediterranean to the Suez Canal for the second time after 2011 heading south. From next August 6, the unit will act as Flag Ship for Task Force 465 under the command of Rear Admiral Guido Rando, Force Commander of the EU Antipira
On Friday 25 July 2014 the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, took the opportunity to visit warship, ESPS Navarra. The Spanish Navy frigate recently joined the EU Naval Force and was in close vicinity to the EU flagship, FGS Brandenburg, in the Gulf of Aden. The purpose of the vis
The Italian Navy is currently leading an international Training Campaign in the Atlantic Ocean for the Cadets of the Naval Academy. The Spanish corvette Infanta Elena, and the Italian destroyer Luigi Durand de La Penne, commanded by Captain Ostilio de Majo, conducted kinematic maneuvers, flight an
Portsmouth-based HMS Richmond has been putting her ship’s company through their paces during operational sea training. Designed to test the full capability of a type 23, Richmond has been conducting high intensity warfighting exercises in all environments, from air through to anti submarine operat
DDG 1000 Zumwalt-Class Destroyer Program Continues to Progress The DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer program continues to progress, meeting key program milestones on the path to Initial Operational Capability (IOC). As the prime mission systems integrator for the DDG 1000 ship class, Raytheon provide