Training & Education
US destroyer USS Ross starts its sixth forward-deployed patrol
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) got underway from Naval Station Rota, Spain, on January 8, to start its sixth forward-deployed patrol in Africa and Europe. Ross completed its previous four-month patrol in July 2017. The 2017 patrol saw the destroyer take part
US destroyer USS Carney enters Ukrainian port of Odessa
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG64) arrived at the Ukrainian Port of Odessa on December 8, three days after entering the Black Sea. This is the destroyer’s second Odessa visit within a year. In July last year, Carney pulled into Odessa before taking part in the international e
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan heads for NATO SNMG2 deployment
Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan got underway from naval base Portsmouth on December 8 to start her deployment to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and the Royal Navy’s operation Kipion tasking. HMS Duncan is the first Royal Navy destroyer to deploy in 2018. The remaining five destro
Patria contracts Saab for Finnish Navy Squadron 2000 mid-life upgrade program
Finland’s Patria has contracted Swedish defense contractor Saab for work on the Finnish Navy Squadron 2000 mid-life upgrade program. The contract awarded to Saab is worth SEK 960 million (approx. US$117.7 million) with deliveries set to start in 2018. According to Patria, the total value of the upgr
Report: Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Ocean definitely sold to Brazil
UK helicopter carrier HMS Ocean has reportedly been bought by Brazil. The purchase was confirmed by Brazilian defense minister Raul Jungmann, according to UK Defence Journal. Brazil is reportedly paying £84 million for the UK helicopter carrier which recently returned from her final deployment as a
France, US conclude amphibious drill Alligator Dagger in Djibouti
US Marines embarked aboard French amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre (L9014) concluded ten days of amphibious operations in the vicinity of Djibouti during the Alligator Dagger exercise. US marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Ma
13 Royal Navy vessels and a submarine are deployed over the holidays
The Royal Navy will have a total of 13 vessels and one of its four Vanguard-class submarines on deployment overseas and in home waters over the holiday season, according to the Royal Navy. What is missing from the list of deployed assets are any major warships as no frigates or destroyers are curren
Fire breaks out at Irish Naval Base in Cork
A fire broke out at Irish Naval Base on Haulbowline Island, Cork, on December 21 and was extinghuished within a few hours. The blaze started on the upper floor of a disused building at the Naval Base at 8:30 p.m. local time, Irish Defence Forces said in a statement. There were no casualties reported
Poland decommissions first Kobben-class submarine ORP Kondor
The Polish Navy decommissioned the first of its four Kobben-class submarines – ORP Kondor – in a ceremony at the naval port in Gdynia on December 20. With 50 years of service behind them, the remaining three submarines in the class are also set to be decommissioned in the near future. Kondor and its
HMS Ocean returns from final deployment as commissioned Royal Navy ship
Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Ocean returned home to naval base Devonport on December 19, concluding her final deployment as a commissioned Royal Navy ship. The ship was scheduled to enter Devonport on December 20, welcomed by families and friends, but a forecast of thick fog brought her final o
German, US Navy EOD units wrap up joint drills
US Navy sailors from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 joined their German Navy counterparts for two weeks of EOD training missions at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Nov. 27 through Dec. 11. EODMU 12 and their German counterparts conducted training evolutions
US Marines start combat rehearsal off Djibouti aboard French assault ship
Members of the US Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) on December 13 started a bilateral amphibious combat rehearsal in international waters off the coast of Djibouti, Africa. They will be teaming up with the French Task Group 473.1 which is composed of
US destroyer concludes Malta visit
The crew of US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) concluded the first port call of their forward-deployed patrol, departing Valletta, Malta, on December 12. USS Carney also became the first US Navy ship to moor in Valletta since 2014. “We are thankful for the hos
Royal Navy submarine service reaches 350th deterrent patrol milestone
The Royal Navy’s submarine service achieved a major milestone recently as a Vanguard submarine completed the country’s 350th deterrent patrol. As the country’s ultimate weapon, submarine operations and movements are kept a closely guarded secret, but the ‘Silent Service’ has temporarily broken its s