Two NATO counter-piracy task force (CTF-508) warships, ITS MIMBELLI and TCG GÖKÇEADA, recently engaged in training regional partners in counter-piracy operations to enhance their respective abilities in improving maritime security in the waters off their coasts. Last week, the Italian frigate ITS
The Ukrainian Navy’s missile cutter Pryluky (U153) has completed the first sailing after redeployment from Sevastopol, Ukraine. The ship has been redeployed to Odesa from Sevastopol due to the ongoing political situation in the country. She was blocked by the Russian military in March and was the
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) participated in a bilateral underway engagement with ships from the Romanian navy in the Black Sea, May 6. The exercise was aimed at improving maritime capabilities and reassuring the U.S. NATO allies and partners of the U.S. commitment to
The oceanic patrol vessel (OPV) ‘Infanta Elena’ called at the port of Nouakchott (Mauritania) to conduct joint training exercises with the Mauritanian Navy. This is the last port of call of her APS deployment before returning back to Spain. During the call, more than 30 Mauritanian servicemen part
Divers on board Royal Navy minehunter HMS Blyth have held the first dive of their Mediterranean deployment since leaving their home port of Faslane, Scotland. The Sandown-class vessel has taken over from Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Brocklesby as part of the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures
During a recent port visit to the Seychelles, the EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Relampago conducted local maritime capacity building (LMCB) training with the Seychelles Coast Guard. Hosted at the Port Victoria Naval Base, the training, which focused on medical procedures, included briefing and prac
The five NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) arrived in Klaipėda in the evening of May 1 for a scheduled port visit during the Group’s deployment to the Baltic to enhance maritime security and NATO’s readiness in the region. “These NATO ships in Klaipėda
Three women have made history by becoming the first ever female submariners to serve in the Royal Navy, the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced yesterday. After 110 years of the Silent Service, pioneering Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alex Olsson and Penny Thackray have become the first women
Twenty-three nations, 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a
Royal Marines of the past, present and future turned out in their full ceremonial dress for a parade in The Wirral to remember Merseyside’s vital role in a daring First World War raid. On Sunday 27 April more than 100 Royal Marine Reservists, veterans and cadets marched through the borough and par
On 30 April, container ship MV Jumme Trader launched a SOS message after a crew member became very ill. The SOS was picked up by the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg and the Force Commander on board immediately directed EU Naval Force French warship, FS Floréal, to provide medical assistance
Sailors assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) held a Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony during a port visit to Haifa, Israel, April 27. Vella Gulf’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Robert Katz; Executive Officer, Capt. Francis Castellano, Command Master Chief Scott Nagle; the chaplain, a
A £36M (USD 60.6M) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been placed with MBDA for the Land variant of the Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADSLand). This will fund an Assessment Phase that will demonstrate the adaptation and evolution of core weapon system subsystems (e.g. co
Astilleros Navales Ecuatorianos EP has recently awarded Damen Shipyards Group the contract for a fourth Patrol Vessel of the Damen Stan Patrol 2606 type. This contract represents the last of this SPa 2606 series for the Ecuadorian Coastguard to be built locally. In Guayaquil, Damen will deliver th
