Lithuania is now in command of Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE. German Navy Commander Gunther Brassel handed over command of SNMCMG1 to Lithuanian Navy Commander Giedrius Premeneckas during a brief ceremony on Thursday, 7 August, 2014. The ceremony was conducted by NATO Allied Mariti
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
On Wednesday 6 August 2014 Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen (German Navy) handed over Force Command of the EU’s counter-piracy Operation Atalanta to Rear Admiral Guido Rando (Italian Navy). Brigadier General Dick Swijgman, who recently assumed the role of Deputy Operation Commander of the EU Naval F
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
HMS Ocean has returned to Plymouth yesterday as the Nation’s Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) following a month at sea holding intensive sea acceptance trials and training. From her brand new state-of-the-art radar to re-tuned engines, she now delivers a step change in performance following a £65
After seven months, Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy) handed over the role of Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, to Brigadier General Dick Swijgman (Royal Netherlands Navy). The handover took place at the Operational Headquar
The crew of the Royal UK Navy warship HMS Portland returned home to Plymouth on Friday, August 1, after a successful seven-month deployment to West Africa, the Falkland Islands and the Caribbean. HMS Portland has undertaken maritime security operations including counter narcotics and anti piracy p
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
The Type 23 frigate has paid a three-day visit to a naval base in Ghana building on the UK’s strong relations with the West African nation. Portsmouth-based HMS Iron Duke arrived in Sekondi where she berthed alongside Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Black Rover and the two ships hosted an official rece
A Plymouth ship has paid her respects to those who sacrificed their lives in past conflicts during a visit to Antigua. HMS Argyll has recently paid visits to both Antigua and Montserrat and during her stopover in Antigua a small service was held at the graves of soldiers who died during the Second
On Sunday morning 27 July a memorial service for the victims of Malaysia Airlines MH17 was held on board HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën. The Dutch frigate is currently at sea off the coast of Somalia conducting counter-piracy patrols as part of the EU Naval Force. The warship’s Chaplain, Thijs Oosterhu