Training & Education
In a first, Chinese PLA Navy ship to join Australian biennial drill Kakadu
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy will be sending a warship to Australian waters where it will take part for the first time in the international, biennial exercise Kakadu. Australia has invited China to join the drill in an effort to ease tensions between the two countries, intensified by Ch
Germany sends FGS Lübeck to SNMG2
German Navy’s frigate Lübeck will soon become part of the NATO’s Standing Nato Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) in the Aegean Sea, the navy said. The Bremen-class frigate will depart her homeport of Wilhelmshaven on August 6, 2018, in order to join the group. Lübeck has been preparing for this deployment si
Denmark receives final two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
Denmark’s defense department has received the final two of overall nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters delivered by Sikorsky Aircraft under a $686 million contract. The aircraft arrived at the Royal Danish Air Force base Karup on August 1 aboard an American C17 aircraft. MH-60R Seahawks will be flown by
US Navy wraps up annual at-sea experiment Trident Warrior
The US Navy concluded its annual large-scale, at-sea field experiment Trident Warrior 2018 (TW18) which took place in conjunction with exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). At the forefront of TW18 was Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) which worked directly with the fleet to increase
US State Department clears MK 54 torpedo, SM-2 missile sales to Dutch, Danish Navy
Raytheon and BAE Systems would be prime contractors on the proposed sales.
20-nation Panama Canal protection drill kicks off
US Navy’s Southern Command is hosting 20 nations for the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC) portion of the annual exercise PANAMAX. Running from July 30 to August 10, the Panama Canal protection exercises will be led by Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and the United States. Panamax,
Canadian frigate HMCS Calgary embarks on Asia-Pacific deployment
The operation will see the frigate visit 5 countries and transit more than 16700 nautical miles.
US destroyer USS Porter wraps up European patrol
US Navy destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) returned to its Spain homeport on July 27, completing its fifth forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrol. Porter departed Naval Station Rota on April 2, to conduct naval operations in the US 6th Fleet area of operations, interacting with 20 countries in the p
Mine warfare drill Noble Melinda concludes in Israel
The Israeli Navy recently hosted explosive ordnance disposal divers from the navies of the US and France for mine countermeasure exercise Noble Melinda 2018. The exercise focused on enhancing cooperation and regional maritime security by sharing tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and fosterin
US Navy dolphins hone mine clearance skills during RIMPAC
Bottlenose dolphins from the US Navy’s Marine Mammal Systems Program (MMSP) took part in dynamic mine countermeasure (MCM) training during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Southern California. The dolphins are based at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific on Naval Base Point Lom
US aircraft carrier responds to distress call near Hawaiian island
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) has rescued five mariners stranded in shallow water near Hawaii’s Niihau island. The five mariners issued a distress call from their 36-foot vessel on July 27. Two MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters assigned to the “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat S
US, Egyptian Navy kick off Eagle Response 18
US and Egyptian Navy personnel started exercise Eagle Response 18 at the Red Sea Naval Base in Egypt on July 24. Eagle Response 18 is an explosive ordnance disposal and diving exercise the US Navy undertakes with the Egyptian Naval Force and other participating nations to enhance interoperability an
BNS Godetia becomes NATO SNMCMG1 flagship
Belgian Navy command and support ship BNS Godetia assumed the role of NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) flagship on July 22, taking over from Dutch submarine support ship HNLMS Mercuur (A900). Despite having 780,000 nautical miles on the clock, Godetia brings a wealth of capabilit
French Jeanne D’Arc task group returns from five-month Asia-Pacific deployment
Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Dixmude and La Fayette-class frigate FS Surcouf wrapped up the French Navy’s annual Jeanne D’Arc mission returning to naval base Toulon on July 19. The two ships got underway in late February and sailed a total of 26,500 nautical miles over a period of 145 days.