Personnel from European, North African and U.S. Naval forces began preparing for the underway segment of Phoenix Express Exercise 2014 (PE14) by standing up the maritime operations center in Sigonella, May 26. Planners from 10 countries have begun tracking ships leaving ports and integrating logis
Last Friday, 23 May 2014, the five NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) arrived in Riga, along with FGS Elbe, which assumed its new role as flagship for the Group upon Germany’s assumption of command on Monday, May 26. SNMCMG1 is visiting the port as part
China and Russia have completed their joint naval drill named “Joint-Sea 2014”, which began in South China Sea on May 20th, according to the Voice of Russia. Russian and Chinese ships returned to the Shanghai port on Sunday, May 25th to attend the farewell ceremony for the Russian Navy staff parti
HMS Sutherland prepares to enter the water for the first time in six months as her refit approaches a major milestone. The frigate has been out of action since October – and out of the water since the following month – while undergoing an 11-month revamp in her home base of Devonport. That revamp
HMS Somerset held a Service of Remembrance for personnel from HMS Brilliant who perished when their Lynx helicopter crashed in Mombasa, Kenya on 14 May 1989. The ship’s company of HMS Somerset, including the embarked Lynx flight crew, took time to remember those lost from the Type 22 Broadsword-cl
The Fleet Air Arm is undergoing a vast programme of transition as all front line aircraft are replaced over the coming years. The Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force (LWMF) at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton is already deep into this transition, successfully introducing the Wildcat Helicopter Mar
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has delivered a speech at the annual meeting of the Chiefs of European Navies in Portsmouth. During his speech to the Chiefs of European Navies on 23 May, Hammond was clear on the role the addressed audience must play in explaining the importance of Europe’s par
The Norwegian Government presented a bill to the Parliament on the completion of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and preparing it for integration to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Pending Parliament approval, for KONGSBERG this entails a continuous development and finalization of
More Ukrainian Ships Pull Out from Crimea The evacuation operation of the Ukrainian Navy ships from the Crimea region resumes as more ships redeploy to other naval bases. Yesterday, May 20th saw the departure of several ships and vessels under the agreed arrangements of the Joint Commission of the R
Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 (EODMU 8), Platoon 802 wrapped up their participation in exercise Open Spirit 2014, May 22. Held annually in one of the Baltic States, the exercise aims to clear shipping routes, communication lines, and fishing areas and search for and dispose
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) will enter the Black Sea Friday, May 23, to promote peace and stability in the region. Vella Gulf’s mission is to work with NATO allies toward mutual goals, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strengthening and improvin
Britain’s biggest warship is now Britain’s tallest warship as HMS Queen Elizabeth reaches her maximum height with the addition of her final mast. From the tip of the newly-installed pole mast to the keel, the gigantic carrier now stands 73 metres (239ft) tall – eclipsing Tower Bridge, Nelson’s Col
The Royal Navy’s Flagship HMS Bulwark has given personnel from the Army and the RAF a taste of life on the ocean wave which ended with a steely display of her amphibious skills. Nearly 350 students, including international officers, from the Advanced Command and Staff Course from all three Service
Her Majesty The Queen has spent the day on board HMS Lancaster in Portsmouth, catching up on the ship’s activities around the globe. The Queen – as the Duke of Lancaster – launched the Type 23 frigate in 1990 and has taken a keen interest in her work ever since. On arrival at Portsmouth […]
