HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy’s amphibious helicopter platform, has sailed from Devonport to take part in Exercise Trident Juncture, the largest NATO exercise since 2002. Carrying Royal Marines from 45 Commando and Merlin, Apache and Chinook helicopters from the Fleet Air Arm, Army Air Corps and RAF, th
The last of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Leaf Class support tankers is to leave the Service on Wednesday (30 September). RFA Orangeleaf, built in Birkenhead and launched in 1975 before being commissioned for service with the RFA in 1984, will complete her service in the port where she was built 40 year
The Spanish F-100 frigate Blas de Lezo set sail on Sunday from Ferrol to join the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG-1) where it will be deployed until December. The purpose of the deployment is to become part of NATO’s Immediate Reaction Force, thus demonstrating Spain’s commitment with collect
German Navy Captain Andreas Seidl will hand over the command of the 2nd Frigate Squadron to Commander Senior Grade Jörg-Michael Horn. The change of command ceremony will take place in Wilhelmshaven on September 29, 2015. The outgoing commander Captain Seidl, who has been at the helm of 2nd Frigate S
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) hosted a reception for senior Albanian defense officials aboard the ship September 26. The reception was an expression of Porter’s appreciation for hosting the ship and its crew in Vlore, and it also served to strengthen the ties b
The German Navy’s frigate Bayern will soon change command in a ceremony to be held on October 1, 2015. During the event Commander Frank Fähnrich will transfer his duties to commander Markus Brüggemeier aboard the frigate. Fähnrich served as the Commander of FGS Bayern since April 2014. His successor
HMS Bulwark, together with helicopters from HMS Ocean, and elements of The Royal Marines, has been practicing amphibious landings in Cornwall. The elements have landed ashore via landing craft and helicopter at Tregantle fort in a demonstration of capability. These elements form part of the Joint Ex
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain, joining three other destroyers as part of the Forward-Deployed Naval Force, Sept. 25. Carney will be forward-deployed in Rota to fulfill the United States’ phased commitment to NATO ballistic m
Egypt Buys French Mistrals French and Egyptian officials have concluded a contract for two Mistral-class ships in Paris, September 23. France Confident About Mistral Sale French Defense Minister Yves Le Drian has affirmed that France would find buyers for their two Mistral-class ships. HMS Glouceste
After a 4 month-deployment in the Caribbean, the Netherlands Navy’s multi-purpose Frigate HNLMS Van Amstel arrived to Den Helder on September 23. The ship has been deployed on anti-drug operations and coastguard duties in the Caribbean. Working in collaboration with an American Law Enforcement Detac
HMS Sutherland, Royal Navy’s 13th Type 23 frigate, was formally welcomed back into the Naval family after 18 months out of action undergoing a revamp from bow to stern. Commander Stephen Anderson re-christened his frigate. As with her sisters in the Type 23 class, the Devonport-based warship has gon
Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO concluded participation in NATO’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 15 (DYMA 15) on September 23. Together with other ships, submarines and aircraft, several exercise serials were conducted around the clock. Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 15 started with a
French and Egyptian officials have concluded a contract for two Mistral-class ships in Paris, September 23. French president Francois Hollande has confirmed in an announcement that the Mistral helicopter carriers, which had initially been built for Russia, will be sold to Egypt. Following the high-p
Ireland will send its Offshore Patrol Vessel L.É. SAMUEL BECKETT to lend a helping hand to the Mediterranean Sea migrant search and rescue operations. The vessel will depart today, September 24. The Irish Naval Service has saved over 7000 people since it deployed to the Mediterranean on the 16th of
