Training & Education
British Minehunter Ledbury Returns from Busy Deployment
Royal Navy minehunter HMS Ledbury returned to Portsmouth on August 9 following a three- month deployment across the Mediterranean and northern Red Sea. She formed part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2, working extensively with NATO partners from Germany, Italy, Turkey and Albania as
HNLMS Johan de Witt Joins EU Naval Force
The Dutch Landing Platform Dock HNLMS Johan de Witt joined the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta on 6 August 2013. For the next 4 months, Johan de Witt will be the EU Naval Force flagship, hosting the Force Commander, Commodore Peter Lenselink, and his multinational staff on bo
HMS Richmond Sets Sail for Atlantic Patrol Tasking
Portsmouth based warship HMS Richmond sailed on August 5 for a routine seven-month Atlantic Patrol Tasking. Maintaining the continuous Royal Naval presence in the Atlantic, the Type 23 Frigate will provide ongoing protection and reassurance to British interests within the region. The Atlantic Patrol
HNLMS Van Speijk Ensures Safe Passage of Maersk McKinney Moller
The Dutch Frigate HNLMS Van Speijk, part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield, ensured the safe passage of the cargo vessel Maersk McKinney Moller, currently the world’s largest ship, as it transited the Gulf of Aden on Monday (5 August 2013). The 400-metre long, 165,000 ton commercial sh
ESPS Numancia Completes Successful Counter Piracy Deployment
On Wednesday 7 August, ESPS Numancia completed her deployment with the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, and started her journey back to her home port in Rota, Spain. This was the second time that the Spanish frigate has deployed as part of EU NAVFOR, the first hav
UK Navy’s Largest Ship Undocks
The undocking of amphibious assault ship HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy’s largest ship, at the end of July marked an important milestone in the extensive 15 month deep maintenance period being carried out by Babcock. The upkeep programme is the largest on a Royal Navy warship in Devonport for over 20 yea
Portugal Hands Over Force Command of EU NAVFOR Counter Piracy Operation to the Netherlands
Earlier yesterday, Tuesday 6 August, Commodore Jorge Novo Palma Portuguese Navy handed over the Force Command of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta to Commodore Peter Lenselink Royal Netherlands Navy during a change of command ceremony aboard NRP Álvares Cabral in the Port of Djib
HNLMS Van Speijk Exercises with Seychelles Coast Guard
On Monday, 29 July 2013, the Dutch frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK, part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, conducted a maritime exercise together with the Seychelles Coast Guard, focusing on search and rescue operations and enhancing coordination and cooperation between the Coast Guard and N
Finland: STX Names, Launches New Offshore Patrol Vessel
The Offshore Patrol Vessel UVL10, currently being built for the Finnish Border Guard at STX Finland Oy’s Rauma shipyard, was named Turva at a festive naming and launching ceremony on Friday 2 August. Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen acted as godmother for the ship, wishing the vessel and its c
Spanish Frigate Blas de Lezo Returns from Deployment
The F-100 frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ arrived at Ferrol Naval Base on Sunday after a two-month deployment in the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea. On June 5th the ship left Ferrol to become command ship of the SNMG-2. During this period the Naval Group, under the command of Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz d
UK: HMS Portland Set for Operational Duties after Revamp
Safeguard of the UK’s waters and coastline for the next two months is frigate HMS Portland which has completed extensive training to begin her first operational duties after a £27m revamp. While much of the Navy goes on summer leave through August, Portland will be at 24 hours’ notice to respond to
Top News of the Week July 29 – August 2, 2013
USS George Washington Drops Anchor in Brisbane, Australia The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, arrived to Brisbane, Australia, July 29, for its first port visit of its 2013 patrol. USS George Washington Hosts Reception in Brisbane, Au
International Sea Cadet Training Camp Takes Place at HMS Raleigh
Sea Cadets from all over the world have descended upon HMS Raleigh this week (Monday 29 to Friday 2 Aug) to take part in a summer training camp. A group of 44 Sea Cadets from Australia, Belgium. Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Sweden are taking part in a week long prog
Pella Shipyard Starts Building Russian Navy’s New Tug
Pella Shipyard held a keel-laying ceremony for a special vessel based on the tug of project 16609, building No 629 on July 24th. This vessel pertains to the series of the project 16609 vessels being built for the Russian Federation’s (RF) Navy. The solemn ceremony saw the participation of the troop