Training & Education
Horn of Africa: NSC Urges for Timely Reporting of Piracy-Related Incidents
In the last week there have been no significant events, as a result the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) has removed all Areas of Concern which were published last week (01-07 Aug 2013), NSC said in a weekly update. Nevertheless, the threat of piracy remains and vigilance is required when transiting thoug
British, Italian Sailors Honour the Fallen from World Wars
Sailors from the Royal and Italian Navies stood side-by-side as they honoured men killed in the battles to keep the nation’s maritime lifelines open in both World Wars. The ceremony at the Tower Hill Memorial in London was part of a five-day visit to the capital by the magnificent Italian naval cade
HNLMS VAN SPEIJK Completes Her Role in OCEAN SHIELD, Heads Home
On Monday, 12 August 2013, the Dutch frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK concluded more than two months deployment in support of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD and began her voyage back to the Netherlands. VAN SPEIJK joined OCEAN SHIELD just days before Commodore Henning Amundsen took command of
Maltese Boarding Team Conducts Fast-Rope Exercise Aboard Johan de Witt
Earlier this week, the Maltese Special Duties Enhanced Boarding Team (MSDEBT) on board the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ship Johan de Witt conducted a fast-rope exercise. They fast-roped from one of the two Cougar helicopters embarked on the Dutch warship. The Johan de Witt is currently the flagship of
European, US Dignitaries Tour USS Harry S. Truman
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) hosted U.S. and foreign flag and general officers from throughout Europe, Aug. 11 in support of regional maritime partnerships. U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander, Supreme Allied Command, Europe (SACEUR); U.S. Navy Adm. Bruce Clingan, commander, Allied Joint
VIDEO: HMS Westminster Sets Sail for Cougar ’13 (UK)
Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster sailed from Portsmouth on August 13 as part of the Cougar ’13 deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf which involves thousands of RN, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel. The long-planned deployment will see elements of the UK’s Response Force Task G
USS Mount Whitney Makes Port Call at Theoule-sur-Mer, France
The 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Theoule-sur-Mer, France August 13 to partake in commemorative events honoring the liberation of southern France by Allied forces during World War II. This port call marks the third consecutive year that Mount Whitney will take part in the
US, Partner Nations Kick Off PANAMAX 2013
Approximately 160 military personnel, including Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, and personnel from 19 nations arrived at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters Aug. 12 to begin exercise PANAMAX 2013. U.S. and partner nations train in th
HST CSG Flagship Welcomes Aboard SACEUR
On Sunday, 11 August 2013, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Philip Breedlove, visited the USS Harry S. Truman, a United States nuclear powered aircraft carrier, while it was transiting the Mediterranean on its way to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Central Command’s are
Israeli, US Navies Boost Interoperability within Reliant Mermaid
The U.S. Navy is participating in Exercise Reliant Mermaid in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 12-15. Reliant Mermaid, now in its 12th iteration, is a maritime search and rescue exercise designed to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies, as well as promo
Finnish AVPD Entrusts WFP Ship’s Protection to Lithuanian Counterparts
After 148 days in charge, the Finnish Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) handed over the responsibility for the protection of the World Food Program (WFP) Ship MV Caroline Scan to a Lithuanian AVPD on 10 August. On behalf of Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, Operation Commander European Union Na
Japan: Yokosuka Hosts SMASHEX
Sailors from Submarine Group 7 and organizations around the world participated in a Search for Simulated Submarine Casualty Exercise (SMASHEX) at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Aug. 7-8. SMASHEX is a table top exercise to test procedures and practices required in the very unlikely event of a submarine se
USS Nicholas Completes Final Mission before Decommissioning
The guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on August 9, marking the successful completion of her final six-month deployment. The ship deployed on Jan. 20 of this year and traveled to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility where she supported Mariti
UK’s RFTG Sets Sail for Cougar ’13
Thousands of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel will leave the UK today for an annual deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf region – Cougar ’13. The long-planned deployment will see elements of the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) – the naval force formed under the