The US Navy’s Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), carrying 1,000 marines, has sailed into the Mediterranean Sea and could be used for evacuation of American personnel from Libya, writes the Associated Press. The warship will remain in the region as a precautionary measure, but w
Phoenix Express 2014, a multinational maritime exercise between North African, European, and U.S. naval forces, which began its inport phase at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Training Center (NMIOTC) in Souda Bay, May 13, is now in its underway operations phase in the central Mediterranean
The boarding squad of the Spanish Navy frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105) visited a ‘dhow’-type fishing boat north of the IRTC (Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor) in the Arabian Sea. The ‘dhow’ was sailing back to her Iranian home port with 16 people on board: 13 Iranian and 3 Pakistani
Personnel from European, North African and U.S. Naval forces began preparing for the underway segment of Phoenix Express Exercise 2014 (PE14) by standing up the maritime operations center in Sigonella, May 26. Planners from 10 countries have begun tracking ships leaving ports and integrating logis
Last Friday, 23 May 2014, the five NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) arrived in Riga, along with FGS Elbe, which assumed its new role as flagship for the Group upon Germany’s assumption of command on Monday, May 26. SNMCMG1 is visiting the port as part
China and Russia have completed their joint naval drill named “Joint-Sea 2014”, which began in South China Sea on May 20th, according to the Voice of Russia. Russian and Chinese ships returned to the Shanghai port on Sunday, May 25th to attend the farewell ceremony for the Russian Navy staff parti
HMS Portland’s ship’s company has celebrated the ship’s 13th birthday as they enter the fifth month of a seven-month deployment as the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Patrol Ship. HMS Portland was built on the Clyde and launched by her sponsor, Lady Heather Brigstocke on 15 May 1999. Following successful comp
The sea part of the official acceptance trials of the tugboat «RB-406» of project 16609 (building No 625) of the Acceptance Program of 2014 has successfully finished. During this year the tugboat will be delivered to the State Customer – Russian Navy and put into operation within the Pacific Fleet
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has delivered a speech at the annual meeting of the Chiefs of European Navies in Portsmouth. During his speech to the Chiefs of European Navies on 23 May, Hammond was clear on the role the addressed audience must play in explaining the importance of Europe’s par
More Ukrainian Ships Pull Out from Crimea The evacuation operation of the Ukrainian Navy ships from the Crimea region resumes as more ships redeploy to other naval bases. Yesterday, May 20th saw the departure of several ships and vessels under the agreed arrangements of the Joint Commission of the R
Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 (EODMU 8), Platoon 802 wrapped up their participation in exercise Open Spirit 2014, May 22. Held annually in one of the Baltic States, the exercise aims to clear shipping routes, communication lines, and fishing areas and search for and dispose
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) will enter the Black Sea Friday, May 23, to promote peace and stability in the region. Vella Gulf’s mission is to work with NATO allies toward mutual goals, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening and improvin
The Royal Navy’s Flagship HMS Bulwark has given personnel from the Army and the RAF a taste of life on the ocean wave which ended with a steely display of her amphibious skills. Nearly 350 students, including international officers, from the Advanced Command and Staff Course from all three Service
A considerable load has been put on France due to its intention to continue with the construction and sale of Mistral-class ships to Russia. France said that the delivery of two warships to the Russian Navy will not be affected by the current EU sanctions imposed on Russia amid the Ukrainian crisi
