Training & Education
HNLMS Rotterdam Joins NATO Counterpiracy Operation
As of August 4th, 2012, HNLMS Rotterdam is the flagship of NATO counterpiracy operation Ocean Shield. The Landing Platform Dock took over the tasks of air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the waters off the coast of Somalia. Along with the Rotterdam’s 320-strong crew, Commodore Ben Bekk
Italy Assumes Command Over EU Piracy Naval Force
In a ceremony held on Monday 6 August 2012, on board French warship FS Marne, French Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis handed over sea command of the EU Naval Force to Italian Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, embarked on the new EU flagship ITS San Giusto. The ceremony was presided over by the EU Nav
Peleliu Hosts Norwegian Midshipmen
Two midshipmen from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy trained aboard amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) from July 18 to Aug. 7 as part of the Foreign Exchange Training of Midshipman (FOREXTRAMID) program. This program is managed by Naval Service Training Command in coordination with Operati
UK: Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron Busy with Exercises
The unit has a broad role at the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a busy squadron and the routine business of protecting British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) only scratches the surface. This is a complex balance of presence and restraint that tests the squadron on a daily basis. Two fa
Sweden: Saab Receives Order for Naval Fire Control, Radar Systems
Defence and security company Saab has received an order for naval fire control and radar systems.The order amounts to SEK 450 million and involves business areas Security and Defence Solutions and Electronic Defence Systems. The fire control system and radar systems will be integrated with a third p
HMS Echo Pays Historic Visit to Libya
IF YOU don’t recognise the ancient ramparts – or the flag for that matter – it’s because no Royal Navy sailor has seen this historic fortress up close in decades. This is the Assaraya Alhamra (the Red Castle), bastion of Tripoli for more than half a millennium, as seen from the bridge of HMS Echo [&
Russian Navy’s Destroyer Admiral Chabanenko Prepares for EAGLE 2012
Crew of Northern Fleet (NF) destroyer (large ASW ship) Admiral Chabanenko prepares for the Northern Eagle 2012 joint naval exercise… (rusnavy) [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, August 3, 2012
UK: European Union High Representative Visits EU NAVFOR OHQ
On Thursday 2 August 2012, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, visited the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) counter piracy operation headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, UK. She was welcomed to the OHQ by Rear
Force Commander of EUNAVFOR Sustains Cooperation with Royal Navy of Oman
On 24 July Force Commander of the European Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR), Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis, met with the Omani authorities in Salalah (Oman) to deepen the excellent operational cooperation between Operation Atalanta and the Royal Navy of Oman. Following a twelve
UK: HMS Westminster Hands Over Gulf Role
She worked for half a year to protect Britain’s interests in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, but now that job lies with another ship. HMS Westminster is on her way home having handed over to Devonport-based frigate HMS Sutherland. During her time Westminster – known as The Capital Ship – has disru
USS Blue Ridge Holds Change of Command Ceremony
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) held a change of command ceremony July 27. Capt. Will Pennington relieved Capt. Daniel Grieco as commanding officer of the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship. Grieco served as commanding officer from May 2011 to July 2012. During his tenure, Grieco was responsible for leading Blue Ridge
HMS Triumph Returns to HM Naval Base Devonport, UK
A crowd of happy loved ones gathered on the jetty at HM Naval Base Devonport, including five fiancées who accepted proposals of marriage while the Trafalgar class submarine was on operations thousands of miles from home. The crowd waved and cheered and held home-made greetings banners aloft as the s
Ukraine: Multinational Exercise SB12 Ends On High Note
The multinational Exercise Sea Breeze 2012 (SB12) concluded with a closing ceremony at the Odessa Officer’s Club in Odessa, Ukraine, July 21. This year’s exercise was the 15th iteration of Sea Breeze and many participants are calling this the exercise’s most successful year to date. “This year we ha
Commander of Chinese Task Force Visits FS Marne
On July 17, the Commander of the Chinese task force operating in the Gulf of Aden met with EU Naval Force – Operation Atalanta Force Commander Rear Admiral Dupuis on board FS Marne. Additionally to the international Counter piracy forces, EU Naval Force Atalanta, NATO and Combined Task Force 151 (CT