Training & Education
US, Japan navies complete mine warfare drill MIWEX
US Navy mine warfare specialists from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 and their Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) EOD counterparts recently completed mine warfare exercise (MIWEX) 2JA 2019. MIWEX 2JA is an annual bilateral exercise held between the US and Japan to incre
F-35B in first hot ordnance reload action in Indo-Pacific
F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp used the GAU-22 cannon against a simulated target and executed the first shipboard hot reload of ordnance in the Indo-Pacific region while underway in the Solomon Sea. The aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor S
Russian Navy nuclear test site explosion kills two, injures six
An explosion at a Russian military range in Nyonoksa in the northwestern Arkhangelsk region on August 8 killed two and injured another six servicemembers, defense officials have confirmed. The Arctic missile test site is used by the Russian Navy to test intercontinental ballistic missiles. Following
US Navy destroyer Porter enters Black Sea
US Navy’s Spain-based Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) is entering the Black Sea for exercises and engagements with regional allies. The US Navy said the Aegis destroyer started its north-bound transit to the Black Sea on August 8. Porter’s arrival in the Black Sea wi
JMSDF, US amphibious ships team up for drill off Australia
US Navy’s Japan-based amphibious ships met up with their Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts for training off Australia. US Navy transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) trained with Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 18
US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan arrives in Philippines
The US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in Manila, the Philippines, for a port call on August 7. The carrier arrived together with ships from its carrier strike group, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Antietam (CG 54). T
Australian flagship HMAS Canberra returns from six-month Asia deployment
Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra returned home last week, completing a six-month deployment to Asia. The 230-meter LHD sailed almost 22,000 nautical miles during the deployment, visiting Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia as part of the
Royal Navy frigate escorts Chinese Type 052C destroyer through English Channel
Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster escorted a Chinese Type 052C destroyer through the English Channel as it was returning from Russia’s annual Navy Days event in St Petersburg. Fresh from a five-month patrol with NATO in the waters of northern Europe, Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster was activated t
Citing synergies, Germany chooses NH90 as Sea Lynx successor
After choosing the NHIndustries-developed NH90 to replace its old Sea King search and rescue helicopters, the German Navy now announced that it has picked the NH90 as replacement for the Sea Lynx Mk 88A helicopters. The navy said the decision to have a single aircraft type adjusted for performing bo
LCS USS Montgomery joins drill with Indonesian Navy
A littoral combat ship taking part in an Asia-Pacific exercise for first time since late 2017.
US command ship returns to Italian homeport after Baltic deployment
USS Mount Whitney supported a major milestone by the re-established US 2nd Fleet.
Final Tide-class tanker joins Royal Navy fleet
Almost a year after arriving in the UK for military customization and armament, Tide-class tanker RFA Tideforce entered service. Tideforce is the final of four ships in the class acquired to support Royal Navy, NATO and ally ship operations by providing fuel and fresh water. After receiving military
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force eyeing purchase of 20 unmanned helicopters
The Japanese government intends to acquire around 20 unmanned helicopters for its Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF), local media reports have said citing unnamed officials. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the acquisition of a yet unspecified large, unmanned helicopter fleet would be in response
Standing NATO groups welcome new flagships in Spain
NATO’s two standing maritime groups welcomed new flagships in a ceremony at naval station Rota, Spain, on July 26. SNMG1, the group that mainly operates in the North and Baltic Sea, has a US Navy ship at its helm again as USS Gravely (DDG 107) was relieved by sister destroyer USS Gridley (DDG-101).