Training & Education
Ukraine: BSF Trains Boarding Parties for Joint Exercises
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Marine Brigade trains boarding parties within anti-terror teams to participate in international activities. If needed, they would have to board a suspect vessel and examine it. Training process is held in several stages. The first one implies selection of candidates to a boardi
USS Whidbey Island Visits Valetta, Malta
Deployed Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) concluded a four-day port visit in Valetta, Malta, Jan. 16. The crew hosted a dinner reception aboard the ship Jan. 13, assisted with refurbishing a public park Jan. 14, and enjoyed tours and time off around
Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise Remembers 1969 Fire
While underway in the Atlantic Ocean Jan. 14, Sailors and Marines assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) paused to remember the catastrophic fire that took place on its flight deck in 1969. Capt. William C. Hamilton Jr., commanding officer of Enterprise, addressed the crew over the
Russia: Submarine Yekaterinburg to Arrive in Severodvinsk for Repairs in May
Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yekaterinburg suffered from large fire late Dec 2011 will be delivered to Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk) not earlier than May 2012, reported RIA Novosti on Jan 16 referring to a shipyard’s official. On Dec 29, 2011 the fire occurred in
USS Bataan Welcomes Italian AV-8B Harrier on Board
A few hours after transiting the Strait of Messina, multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) welcomed an Italian AV-8B Harrier on board Jan. 13. Bataan will assist in transporting the Italian Harrier, assigned to the Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati “Wolves” based in Grottaglia, Italy, to the d
USA: Submarine Squadron 4 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Submarine Squadron 4 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London’s Shepherd of the Sea Chapel in Groton Jan. 13. Capt. Michael Holland relieved Capt. Michael Bernacchi. In conjunction with the change of command, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 2 disestablished. The disestabli
Spanish Judicial Authorities to Prosecute 6 Somali Pirates
It has been confirmed that the Spanish judicial authorities will prosecute the six Somali suspected pirates, who attacked the EU NAVFOR Flagship, the SPS PATINO on 12 January. Following receipt of the evidence package, the Spanish Audiencia Naciona has confirmed it will undertake judicial proceeding
USA: Raytheon Ends Ship Self-Defense System Deliveries
Raytheon Company delivered the final Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS MK 2) hardware ship set of its 2010 production contract, completing all system deliveries ahead of schedule. The system is slated for installation and integration onboard the John P. Murtha (LPD 26), providing the ship’s U.S. Navy-c
Russia Postpones Delivery of SSN Nerpa to India
Russia will hand over SSN Nerpa to India for lease on Jan 23, said an informed Indian military source on Jan 14. “The parties have signed all appropriate documents, and acceptance panel has finished its work. The date of flag-hoisting ceremony to be held in the Far East is set on Jan 23. When the [&
Royal Navy Arrests 13 Somalian Pirates in Indian Ocean
The career of a suspected pirate action group in the Indian Ocean came to an end when Royal Marines boarded their mother ship and arrested 13 modern-day buccaneers. It took a team of commandos from support ship RFA Fort Victoria – home to a British counter-piracy task force – to finally bring a halt
HMCS Vancouver Accomplishes Mediterranean Sea Mission
Heading west through the Strait of Gibraltar and leaving the gateway to the Mediterranean behind, HMCS Vancouver begins the first leg of her homeward journey and ends a successful tour of nearly six months of NATO duty in the Mediterranean Sea. Vancouver left Esquimalt, B.C., on July 10, 2011 to rel
UK: Royal Marines Start Week of Security Exercises
Royal Marines have joined police on the Thames in London for a week-long security exercise ahead of the 2012 Olympics. The commandos will work hand-in-hand with the Metropolitan Police’s marine unit this summer – and are using the five-day exercise to prepare them for the key mission. The green bere
Chief of Naval Operation, Master Chief Petty Officer of Navy Visit USS Enterprise
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West visited the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Jan. 12 while the ship was underway in the Atlantic Ocean. The visit showcased the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group and pr
Suspected Pirates Open Fire on ESPS Patino
At first light on 12 January 2012, having just completed the escort of a World Food Programme ship carrying food-aid into Somalia and while operating close to the Somali port of Mogadishu, the EU NAVFOR Flagship, the ESPS PATINO, was approached by one skiff with a group of suspected pirates onboard.