Naval forces from the United States, along with African and European maritime partners, commenced the fourth annual multinational exercise Saharan Express 2014, March 6. Exercise Saharan Express 2014, being held in waters off West Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperat
A recent Operation Atalanta medal parade held in Djibouti marked the end of the Serbian Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments (AVPD) tenure with the EU Naval Force. The Operation Atalanta medal parade was conducted by the Officer in Charge of the Djibouti Support Element Atalanta (SEA) Commande
NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, the Alvaro De Bazan participated in an air defence training drill in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday (5 March 2014) meant to keep the ship’s crew ready for any challenge on the high seas, including their mission to deter Somali pirates. The Spanish vessel also current
On Sunday, 2 March 2014, NATO’s counter-piracy task force Commander, Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz del Rio, paid a visit to HNLMS EVERTSEN, currently deployed with Operation OCEAN SHIELD. This was the first time the Admiral went on board the Dutch warship since she joined the operation on 7 December 201
On Thursday, 27 February 2014, NATO’s counter piracy warship TCG GELİBOLU (F-493) concluded a visit to Dar es Salaam to reinforce relationships with Tanzanian Navy and to support regional capacity building efforts. During the 3-day port visit, the Commanding Officer of TCG GELIBOLU, Commander Olca
Plymouth based HMS Portland has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to Nigeria with a successful three day visit to Lagos. The Type 23 Frigate visited the region and conducted training with the Nigerian Navy, hosted a Security Forum in support of United Kingdom Trade and Industry and a maritime secur
Ukrainian Frigate Hetman Sahaidachny Heads Home Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny has successfully completed an operational tour with the EU Naval Force and is now sailing towards her home port of Sevastopol in the Ukraine. USS Taylor’s Commander Relieved of Duties Capt. Jim Aiken, commander, Tas
On Wednesday 26 February 2014, German Navy frigate, FGS Hessen which is operating as part of the EU Naval Force, and South Korean destroyer, Kang Gam Chan, met up in the Gulf of Aden to carry out a joint exercise. Both warships are currently conducting counter-piracy operations. The counter-piracy
The Spanish Navy’s Oceanic Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Infanta Elena’ has left Cartagena to take part in different cooperation-related activities in the African continent that the Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Navy carry out as part of the ‘Africa Partnership Station’ (APS) initiative. The deployment
During their recent 3-day port visit to Mombasa, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, paid a visit to Kenyan military and civilian authorities. The following day he visited the Mombasa Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Information Sharing Centr
On Tuesday 18 February, after the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, arrived in Mombasa for a port visit, the French warship’s commanding officer, Captain Jean-Marc Le Quilliec officially delivered diplomas to members of the Mauritians Coast Guard who had completed their training course at sea. T
On Friday, 21 February 2014, New Zealand Warship HMNZS TE MANA concluded her support to NATO’s counter-piracy task force as part of Operation OCEAN SHIELD. “Over the past month, the crew of TE MANA have demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and interoperability with NATO, fully int
On Friday, 21 February 2014, NATO warship HNLMS EVERTSEN rescued 8 Yemeni seamen who were found in the water in the Gulf of Aden. Earlier that morning, an automated distress call was received by the UK Coast Guards in Falmouth, United Kingdom, indicating that a ship was in distress off the north-e
On Monday 17 February, during a ‘friendly approach’ with local seafarers, the medical team from German Navy frigate FGS Hessen, was able to provide eight local Somalia fishermen with medical examinations and some dental treatment. The offer of medical help to the local fishing community was initia
