In 2011, crews of Northern Fleet (NF) surface ships have completed over 50% of the fleet’s training activities. In total, NF surface ships have spent 870 days at sea. Twenty six NF surface ships took the sea in this training year. The crews have performed over 400 qualification drills, including 6 c
In accordance with state rearmament program, Caspian Flotilla (CF) received new Project 705B harbor tug RB-10 developed by JSC Vympel Design Bureau (Nizhny Novgorod) and built by Astrakhan Shipyard, affiliate of JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center. First tug of this project joined Caspian Flotilla in
U.S. 7th Fleet Command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) completed a two-day Light Off Assessment (LOA) Nov. 9-10 in Yokosuka, Japan. The evolution, assessed by Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 with the assistance of Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP), checked the ship’s ability to safely op
Type 23 frigate HMS Kent has left Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard to start sea trials, with a number of significant upgrades following a successful refit by Babcock. The demanding and tightly scheduled project has seen HMS Kentreceive more than 20 upgrades, as well as undergoing a full programme of deep m
Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit led by Guard missile cruiser Varyag on Nov 12 has completed visit to Canadian port Vancouver and set a course for Vladivostok. The visit was held in Nov 8-12. According to Capt 1 rank Sergei Zhuga, “Canadians showed attention and hospitality. We were welcomed very warmly
On 11 November, the Yemeni dhow AL JABAL was handed-over by the Commanding Officer of the FGS KOELN to the Yemen Coast Guard for return to its owner after it had been stolen to be used as a pirate mother-ship. The dhow had been taken by a group of Somali pirates and was detected in […]
Subordinate units of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 conducted Exercise Brilliant Tern off USNS Bob Hope at Naval Base San Diego and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Nov. 9-10. This two-day exercise was designed as a proof-of-concept, first-of-its-kind exercise honing core maritime pre-position force (M
Guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) departed the 6th Fleet area of operations Nov. 11 after its scheduled Black Sea deployment, concluding three weeks serving as goodwill ambassadors of the U.S. During the deployment, Philippine Sea made scheduled port visits to Bulgaria, Georgia, Turk
On 8 November, following detection by EU NAVFOR warships and aircraft working in close cooperation in the Somali Basin, the Yemen registered dhow, AL JABAL, which had been stolen for use as a pirate mother-ship, was stopped by the FGS KOELN. A group of 19 Somali men were onboard and surrendered to t
Military leaders, government officials, staff and friends gathered for the dedication of the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, at Bethesda (WRNMMC), Nov. 10 The facility is the world’s largest military hospital with more than 2.4 million sq. ft. of clinical space, providing care to a
On 10 November FS SURCOUF finished her deployment as an EU NAVFOR warship after 94 days of valuable contribution under the stars of European Flag. During this period the French frigate guarded three ships of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on passage between Mombasa and Mogadishu and t
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) helicopter destroyer JS Kurama (DDH 144) will join U.S. Navy ships in exercise Koa Kai 12-1 beginning Nov. 10, marking the first time a JMSDF surface ship will participate in the semi-annual exercise in and around Hawaiian waters. Koa Kai 12-1 is an inte
Helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious has come through her first mock war since her £40m revamp earlier this year as she continues her rigorous training ready for front-line duties in the new year. The 22,000-tonne warship is in the hands of the Navy’s premier trainers, Flag Officer Sea Training, who’v
Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Nov. 9 for a visit as part of its continued operations in the Western Pacific. With a crew of approximately 140, Oklahoma City will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabil
