Training & Education
HMS Bulwark visits Portsmouth ahead of Battle of Jutland commemoration
Royal Navy’s HMS Bulwark entered HMNB Portsmouth yesterday, May 25, as part of preparations for commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland in and around Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The Devonport-based amphibious assault ship is in port to embark the massed band o
USS Mount Whitney makes final port call before BALTOPS 2016
U.S. Navy’s amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Lisbon, Portugal May 24. The ship is in port to embark Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) staff members and to refuel before heading to the Baltic Sea to participate in BALTOPS 2016. Mount Whitney is designe
Belgian Defense Minister visits Lithuania and Open Spirit 2016
The Belgian Defense Minister will attend the multinational mine countermeasures (MCM) operation Open Spirit 2016 and observe participating ships conduct MCM tasks in the Baltic Sea on May 26. Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput will also meet the Lithuanian Defence Minister aboard the LNS Jotvingis
Open Spirit 2016: Mines found off Klaipeda
Participants of the international naval exercise Open Spirit 2016 found several mines just 3 kilometers off the Lithuanian only sea port on May 20. Lithuanian Navy divers subsequently destroyed the German WWII mines. Five naval mines, one torpedo, rocket parts and two still unidentified wrecks have
HMS Ramsey concludes NATO stint
Royal Navy’s mine hunter HMS Ramsey has returned to home waters and its Faslane base after a deployment as part of Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1. Crew seven from the First Mine Counter Measures Squadron (MCM1), who have most recently been operating the Sandown Class vessel, has been tr
Spanish Navy frigate Méndez Núñez to join SNMG 1
Spanish Navy’s F-100 frigate Méndez Núñez is scheduled to integrate into the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 until the end of September. The Méndez Núñez (F-104) will relieve her sister ship Álvaro de Bazán (F-101). Spanish Navy Rear Admiral José Enrique Delgado Roig took command of SNMG-1 in Decembe
Operation Atalanta flagship FGS Bayern works with Tanzanian Navy
Members of the Tanzanian Navy were welcomed on board FGS Bayern for a day of maritime training with Operation Atalanta sailors and marines, on May 16. The training focused on fast-roping drills and damage control skills, such as fire-fighting and flood control as sea. On completion of the training,
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Cardigan Bay joins NATO SNMG 2
Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Cardigan Bay on May 18 joined NATO’s Standing Maritime Group (SNMG 2) sailing in Southern European waters. The Bay-class landing ship deck auxiliary is 176.6 m long and a displaces about 16,000 t. It has the capability to operate several types of helicopters and is equippe
NATO SNMG2 engages Royal Moroccan Navy
Ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two task unit 02 (SNMG2 TU.02) recently concluded a busy port visit in Casablanca, Morocco with a passing exercise and boarding exercise off the coast of Morocco. SNMG2 TU.02 led by Canadian Navy Commander Trevor MacLean included HMCS Fredericton (FFH 3
U.S. Navy Command Ship prepares for Baltops 2016
U.S. Navy’s Blue Ridge-class command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) on May 16 departed Gaeta, Italy, to prepare for the upcoming BALTOPS 2016. BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Mount Whit
Exercise Phoenix Express gets under way in Greece
The international maritime exercise Phoenix Express 2016 was kicked off May 17, in the Mediterranean. Navies from Europe, North Africa, and the United States gathered to begin the 10th iteration of the exercise. Phoenix Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and facilitated by U.S. Na
EU NAVFOR’s Somalia mission receives new Operation Commander
The EU Political and Security Committee on May 18 appointed Brigadier Robert Magowan, an officer from the British Royal Marines, as Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia, Operation Atalanta. Brigadier Magowan is taking the place of Major General Martin Smith. He is expected to take up h
Swefinex 2016 kicks off in Sweden
Swedish and Finnish Navy units kicked off the annual Swefinex exercise in waters around Swedish Gotland Island. The exercise, which is this time hosted by Sweden, started May 16 and will last until May 26. Participating units will be conducting anti-submarine warfare, mine clearance drills and pract
SNMG 1 ships make port call in Klaipeda, Lithuania
Two ships assigned to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 made a port call in the Lithuanian Port of Klaipeda. Spanish frigate ESPS Alvaro de Bazan and Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke came alongside May 16 and will stay until May 18. The two ships have recently completed participation in the