Training & Education
Poland: SNMCMG1 Marks 40th Anniversary
On Tuesday, 29 October 2013, SNMCMG1 marked 40 years of service afloat with a ceremony in port, during the harbour phase of Exercise STEADFAST JAZZ 2013. More than 260 crewmembers from six SNMCMG1 ships participated in this event along with former commanders of the Group and official guests from all
Spanish Navy Holds ‘Cartago 2013’ Search & Rescue Exercise
Between the 21st and 25th of October, the Spanish Navy organized the exercise ‘Cartago 2013’ off the coast of Murcia, intended to implement national search and rescue procedures for submarines. During these days several search and rescue drills were carried out simulating all required procedures to
FGS Niedersachsen Provides Medical Assistance during Friendly Approach
German frigate FGS Niedersachsen, which is currently deployed with the EU Naval Force, recently carried out two friendly approaches on dhows. To help strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the EU Naval Force and local seafarers, as well as obtain first hand information about possible pira
VIDEO: Harbour Phase of Steadfast Jazz Exercise Well Underway (Poland)
The harbour phase of the maritime part of the Steadfast Jazz exercise is well underway in Gdynia, Poland. Dutch command ship HNLMS De Ruyter, Italian destroyer ITS Duilio, six ships of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) and the British minehunter HMS Ledbury are now preparing
UK: Merlin Sub Hunters Go Dutch
Whilst visiting Royal Naval establishment across the UK, Officers from the Royal Netherlands Navy’s called into Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose for a briefing with ‘Sub-Hunting Aircrew’ on tactics and procedures. The Dutch Navy’s Principle Warfare Officers Submarines – PWO (SM) Course visited 824 N
Oman: HMS Bulwark Welcomes Head of Protocol Department for Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark welcomed His Highness Mohammed Bin Salim Al Said, Head of Protocol Department for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the official reception and capability demonstration held during her recent visit to Muscat, Oman. The event was to demonstrate the capabilities of
Royal Navy Sharpens Claws for Exercise Omani Cougar
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are putting all their core war fighting skills to the test as they launch into Exercise Omani Cougar. As the fourth major exercise of the ongoing Cougar 13 deployment, personnel are working alongside the Royal Navy of Oman to hold the intense six-day exercise. Royal
France: FREMM Frigate Normandie Starts Sea Trials
FREMM frigate Normandie, the second of the Aquitaine class for the French Navy, was put to sea for the first time on 25 October. This milestone marks the beginning of the ship’s sea trials, which will take place off Brittany and are expected to last several weeks. The main aim of these preliminary t
UK Ship RFA Lyme Bay Welcomes EU NAVFOR Force Commander on Board
On Tuesday 22 October, EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Commodore Peter Lenselink and members of his staff, visited RFA Lyme Bay. RFA Lyme Bay recently joined EU Naval Force’s Operation Atalanta. During the visit, the Force Commander visited the different departments on board and met the crew members of t
ITS Libeccio Conducts Friendly Approach with Local Seafarers
Italian frigate ITS Libeccio carried out a ‘Friendly Approach’ on Sunday 20 October. During the approach, the warship’s crew received information about the movements of maritime traffic in the area and strengthened relationships with local seafarers. The understanding between the maritime community
HMS Illustrious Sails through Strait of Hormuz
HMS Illustrious has been escorted through the Strait of Hormuz by frigate HMS Montrose as she continues on her Gulf deployment. The helicopter and commando carrier is due to begin exercises in the Gulf of Oman as part of Cougar 13 – the annual workout of the Royal Navy’s rapid reaction force known a
Secretary Hagel Meets with Russian Minister of Defense
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu two days ago during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium. The leaders discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, to include updates from the August 2+2 meeting,
HMS Iron Duke Tests Main Gun near Dorset, UK
The mighty 4.5” gun of HMS Iron Duke pounded the waves off Dorset, proving that she remains a fighting force, ready for operations around the globe. The Type 23 Frigate tested her Main Gun near Dorset, firing rounds from the newly refurbished weapon. The practice firings test both the weapons system
UK: Joint Helicopter Operations on Cougar 13 Exercise
Army Apache helicopters have joined Navy Sea King, Merlin and Lynx helicopters on board HMS Illustrious for two weeks in the Gulf as part of the ongoing Cougar 13 deployment. The Apache helicopters from 656 Squadron 4 Regiment Army Air Corps joined Illustrious in the waters off the United Arab Emira