723 Squadron Pilot Instructor Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Tony Reyne recently added to his considerable list of achievements by clocking up his 9,000th hour of military flying. Fellow training officer LCDR Cliff Gaudie put LCDR Reyne’s accomplishment in perspective: “9,000 hours is equal to approxim
The Royal Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyer has been undertaking intense sea trials off the south coast to test all of her guns. HMS Defender has been testing every single system onboard the new ship to ensure it is ready for operation. From radars to engines, computer systems to radios they have all
Austal USA’s order backlog has grown by approximately US$681.7 million as a result of two additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract options being exercised by the United States Navy. The contract options fund construction of the LCS 14 and LCS 16, the fifth and sixth ships in the 10-ship block
In early February, the Falkland Islands Patrol ship HMS Clyde had a change of commanding officer. On Monday 11 February 2013 patrol ship HMS Clyde went through a pivotal moment in any ship’s life as her Commanding Officer handed over the reins of command to his relief. After bringing the ship alongs
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Arabian Gulf for the ship’s first time, March 1. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway in the region. At its widest, the strait spans 21 miles, and offers the only sea
The “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 are conducting daily flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) from aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). By providing direct air support to coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan, fli
The Navy’s first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) departed her homeport of San Diego to venture out to the Asia-Pacific region on its maiden deployment March 1. Making good on a pledge made initially by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the 2011 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Fr
After navigating the Suez Canal and Bab-el-Mandeb strait, ESPS Rayo joined EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta on Tuesday 26 February. Having completed her first patrol in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Spanish warship is currently alongside Djibouti, together with EU
New Russian Stealth corvette Boiky of the Project 20380 commanded by Captain 2 Rank Sergey Lipsky successfully performed the ASW helicopter Ka-27 deck to the ship… Source: Russian Navy, March 1, 2013; Image: mil
Exercise Proud Manta 2013 (POMA 13), NATO’s largest anti-submarine warfare exercise, began in the Ionian Sea, Feb. 23. Participants in POMA 13 include four submarines, 16 aircraft and eight surface ships from 10 NATO nations, including the United States. POMA is an annual at-sea exercise focused on
Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) returned home to Norfolk Naval Base Feb. 26 after completing an eight-month deployment to the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of theater security cooperation. The ship and her crew traveled more than 45,000 nautical miles d
The U.S. Pacific Fleet announced yesterday that the Navy’s first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) will depart her homeport of San Diego on March 1 and deploy to the Asia-Pacific region. Making good on a pledge made initially by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the 2011 Shangri-La
The keel of the offshore patrol vessel being built for the Finnish Border Guard was laid, on Monday 25 February 2013, at STX Finland Oy’s Rauma Shipyard. The event was witnessed by representatives of STX Finland, Finnish Border Guard, classification society and media. Scheduled for delivery in Novem
A naval airman from Ramsgate serving in the helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious recently played his part in raising the profile of the forthcoming Battle of the Atlantic 70th anniversary. HMS Illustrious – known to her crew as Lusty – visited Liverpool recently and Naval Airman Chris Heale, 31, was a
