Warm-up exercises are already underway as Japanese and U.S. forces prepare for more complex scenarios of the annual 2JA mine countermeasure exercise (2JA MCMEX). The annual exercise, which officially began July 19, brings together Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. Navy surface and a
Clearance divers from the Royal Navy’s Faslane-based Northern Diving Group (NDG) helped recover historic World War Two bouncing bombs from the bottom of Loch Striven. On Wednesday, July 19, three of the famous “Highball” bombs broke the surface of the Argyll Loch for the first time in over 70 years.
Taking charge of the largest amphibious assault conducted by an Australian force in 70 years as part of exercise Talisman Saber presented an opportunity to shine for the Amphibious Task Group Headquarters. The assault, led from amphibious asssault ship HMAS Canberra, was a significant milestone in t
A Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter has wrapped up its integration aboard a German Navy frigate during her pre-deployment training which started in April this year. The Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton-based helicopter spent seven weeks aboard the Bremen-class frigate FGS Lübeck. This was also t
Peru is hosting naval forces from 19 countries for this year’s edition of the annual exercise UNITAS. Scheduled to conclude on July 26, the exercise will be commanded by Peruvian navy Rear Adm. Alberto Alcala. Participating countries include the United States, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Aust
Royal Australian Navy’s Armidale class patrol boats joined their much larger counterparts for the northern component of exercise Talisman Sabre proving they can play a role in complex war drills. The Darwin-based HMAS Bathurst and Broome took on a superior force including guided missile frigates HMA
Ships, submarines and aircraft from the U.S., India and Japan concluded their participation in the week-long Bay of Bengal exercise Malabar 2017 The exercise was designed to advance military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multinational environment.
A Chinese Navy three-ship task group is sailing towards the Baltic Sea where it is set to take part in exercises with the Russian Navy. The bilateral drill, dubbed “Maritime Interaction 2017”, is scheduled to take place between July 21 and 28, and will involve an overall of 21 ships, according to a
Royal Navy assault ship HMS Albion has completed her first set of sea trials, spending four weeks in open waters after being tied to port for six years. After a £90m revamp in her home base which took her out of mothballs and saw 110 major changes and improvements carried out, the assault ship left
German special forces have returned to training aboard the biggest ship in the Royal Netherlands Navy’s fleet after it spent almost a year undergoing engine repairs. HNLMS Karel Doorman returned to sea in April this year after completing repairs at the Den Helder base. The ship’s engine issues cause
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS St. John’s concluded her six-month deployment to operation Reassurance supporting NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. While deployed, HMCS St. John’s conducted operations and took part in multi-national exercises with NATO Allies and
Royal Navy sailors and marines exercised with their counterparts from other countries during a five-month annual French naval deployment to the Indian Ocean and Far East. UK forces joined the French Navy assault ship FS Mistral in March as part of the Jeanne d’Arc 2017 French task group, which has v
UK-based defense contractor BAE Systems announced it has been awarded £457,000 to design and deliver the UK’s first dedicated autonomous systems testing service. The grants were awarded by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), a locally-owned partnership between businesses and authorities.
The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS John Finn (DDG 113), in a ceremony at Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor on July 15. The destroyer is named after Chief Aviation Ordnanceman John Finn, who was World War II’s first Medal of Honor recipient. Adm. Chester Nimit
