Training & Education
UK, French teams train together for hurricane relief in the Caribbean
Royal Navy’s auxiliary ship RFA Mounts Bay has landed a team of UK military personnel ashore in Martinique, an insular region of France, to train in hurricane relief with their French counterparts. The training comes one year after the devastating impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean
Royal Navy ship sails near disputed islands in South China Sea
Last month, Royal Navy amphibious assault ship HMS Albion sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China in a freedom of navigation operation. The ship passed close to the Paracel Islands, which are controlled by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, on August 31. This was in line with inte
Sea phase of Kakadu 2018 begins
Ships taking part in Exercise Kakadu 2018 have sailed out of Darwin to begin the sea phase the Royal Australian Navy’s regional exercise. Kakadu, which began in late August, is split into three phases — a harbor phase, a Force Integration Training (FIT) and finally a free-play phase. The sea phases
Rolls-Royce to power US Navy’s MQ-25 aircraft
Rolls-Royce engines have been selected by Boeing to power the US Navy’s new MQ-25 Stingray aircraft, which will provide unmanned, carrier-based air-to-air refueling. Recently, the US Navy awarded the MQ-25A engineering and manufacturing contract to Boeing to provide four aircraft. The $805.3 million
Colombian Navy hosts Unitas LIX exercise
Gathering in Cartagena, Colombian naval forces are taking the helm for Unitas LIX, a multinational maritime exercise taking place from August 31 – September 11. Colombia is hosting eleven navies participating in the exercise — the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, M
Fiji Navy uses sea phase of Kakadu to boost joint capability
The Republic of Fiji Navy ship Kikau will use the sea phase of Kakadu 2018 to work alongside regional partners including Australia and Tonga to boost joint capability. This is the first time that the Fijian Navy has participated in the bi-annual Kakadu regional exercise, although it has previously a
NAVSTA Rota, US Navy ships conduct integrated fire drill
Spanish Naval Station Rota personnel and sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyers USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Porter (DDG 78) conducted and completed their third annual major integrated fire drill onboard the Cook on August 29, 2018. “This whole exercise is called the Chapter 13 drill.
USCGC Bertholf returns home following RIMPAC 2018
Coast Guard cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) returned on September 4 to her homeport in Alameda following a nearly 90-day deployment to the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. There, Bertholf crewmembers participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 which is said to be the world’s largest multi-n
Croatian Navy ship joins NATO operation Sea Guardian
The Croatian Navy has sent the first contingent of troops to participate in the NATO maritime security operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean Sea. A ceremony for the navy’s warship, RTOP-41 Vukovar, and her crew of 50, was held in Split on September 3, Croatian defense ministry said in a statem
Canadian, Tunisian navies train during Operation Reassurance
The Royal Canadian Navy and the Tunisian Navy vessels conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) in late August. On August 20, 2018, Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec departed Tunis, Tunisia. With the Northern African coastline in the background, it engaged in the exercise with FBB La Galite and PB J
Japanese, Spanish vessels engage in PASSEX
On August 29, 2018, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)’s JS Akebono and the Spanish Navy’s ESPS Castilla conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) in the Gulf of Aden. JS Akebono (DD-108) and ESPS Castilla (L52) are flagships under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF151) and the European
Australian frigate HMAS Toowoomba returns from seven-month deployment
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba has returned to its homeport of Fleet Base West, Rockingham, after the ship’s longest deployment to date, contributing to seven task groups in seven months. Commanding Officer, Commander Mitchell Livingstone, said Toowoomba achieve
German minehunter Homburg to join SNMCMG 1
The German Navy is sending its Frankenthal-class minehunter Homburg (M 1069) to participate in the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG 1). On Tuesday, September 4, the ship is scheduled to depart its Kiel homeport. Homburg, which belongs to the navy’s 3rd Minesweeping Squadron, will
Royal Navy’s HMS Bangor returns home after 3-year deployment
Royal Navy’s Scots-based minehunter HMS Bangor (M109) will return to her home port of HM Naval Base Clyde today, on August 31. For the past three years, HMS Bangor has been operating in the Gulf as part of the UK’s commitment in the region to work with international partners to protect vital shippin