Training & Education
EU NAVFOR Trains African Mission in Somalia Vessel Protection Detachment Troops
A team of 24 troops from Uganda, part of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) received vessel protection training from French and Estonian troops in Mombasa onboard FS FLOREAL, which is operating as part of the EU NAVFOR. The training was planned as part of ongoing improvements in capability and
Djibouti: EU NAVFOR Transfers Six Powerful Outboard Motors
In Djibouti on 7 December, RAdm Christian Canova FRAN, Deputy Commander EU NAVFOR, transferred six powerful outboard motors which had been confiscated from Somali pirates to Colonel Abdourahman Aden Cher, Chief of the Djiboutian Navy. The engines were taken from small skiffs which had been stopped b
Russia: CF Task Units Start Exercise
Caspian Flotilla (CF) task units on Dec 12 left basing sites in Astrakhan and Makhachkala heading for central and southern parts of the Caspian Sea. According to plans, the CF task units will conduct anti-terror exercise in Russia’s maritime economic activity zones in the Caspian Sea. In total, up t
NATO Warship USS De Wert Disrupts Suspected Pirate Activities
NATO warship USS De Wert prevented a suspected pirate dhow from engaging in acts of piracy and forced it back to the Somali coast making further acts of piracy impossible at this time. While engaged in a replenishment at sea, USS De Wert received intelligence reports that a dhow acting suspiciously
US Navy Successfully Concludes Final Alternative Fuel Demonstration
The Navy successfully concluded its final alternative fuel demonstration for the year today with the Dec. 7-9 operational tests of the 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) amphibious transport vehicle. The tests also marked the
Somali Pirates Obtained over USD 135 Million Ransoms in 2011, Admiral Says
The current year has brought a record-breaking income to Somali pirates hijacking ships and crews for ransom, said deputy director of EU NAVFOR – Operation Atalanta in the interview to online Bruxelles2. According to the admiral, pirates have obtained over $135 mln ransoms in 2011, while in the past
Russia: Group of Baltic Fleet Officers Discuss FRUKUS 2012
Group of Baltic Fleet (BF) officers returned fr om St. Petersburg where they discussed the coming FRUKUS 2012 international exercise. It will take place in the Baltic Sea for the first time. During the session of working group, BF officers along with representatives of Russian Navy main HQ, Northern
Forward-Deployed Amphibious Assault Ship USS Essex Returns to Sasebo, Japan
The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) returned to Sasebo, Japan Dec. 8 after completing a two-and-a-half month patrol of the Western Pacific. Throughout the patrol, Essex Sailors along with the embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in two
First of Three Frigates Built for Indian Navy Successfully Passes Last Trials
First of three frigates built for Indian Navy has successfully passed the last trials before delivery, reported RIA Novosti on Dec 7 referring to Sergei Mikhailov, press secretary of JSC Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia). “Project 11356 frigate INS Teg has almost completed closing stage of trial
Russia: BF Warships Head for Deployment
Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry and replenishment tanker Lena on Dec 7 left BF main naval base Baltiysk heading for the North Sea. The long-range cruise of BF task unit under command of Capt 1 rank Alexander Ivanovsky will be held in accordance with the Russian Navy Combat Training Plan. Th
German Frigate FGS BAYERN Holds Change of Command Ceremony
In Djibouti on 6 December the Change of Command ceremony of Commander Task Force 465 was held on board the EU NAVFOR German frigate FGS BAYERN. Rear Admiral Thomas Jugel handed over the responsibility to Captain Jorge Manso, Spanish Navy, in a ceremony attended by military and civilian guests, inclu
Malaysia: PELICAN Exercise Series 31/11 Finishes
PELICAN Exercise Series 31/11 was officially deactivated with the closing ceremony onboard KDB DARULEHSAN. Sea phase was indeed a triumphant phase for the PELICAN Exercise, in which objectives were accomplished, the aims to expose young officers in conducting all the exercises has been achieved and
Sailors, Marines Aboard USS New Orleans Reflect on Pearl Harbor, Namesake’s Role in World War II
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) observed a moment of silence Dec. 7 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which resulted in America’s entrance into World War II. The ship’s commanding officer ordered a pause in all s
Russia: NF Carrier Group Starts Long-Range Cruise
Aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov left Northern Fleet (NF) main base Severomorsk and headed for the Barents Sea. Departure of the aircraft carrier kicks off shaping of NF carrier group consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko and auxiliary vessels – rescue tu