Vessels
France Assumes Command of US Task Force 50
A French flag officer embarked in the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle took command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 50 on December 7. The commander will be leading coalition naval strike operations for Operation Inherent Resolve, the purpose of which is “to fig
UK MoD: Defence Procurement Will Boost Economy
UK’s Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited defence companies in Scotland December 7 to highlight the impact last month’s Strategic Defence and Security Review will have on the economy. Over the next decade, the MOD plans to spend around £8 billion on conventional warships for the Royal Navy, all
India, Russia Conduct Naval Exercise
INDRA NAVY is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian and Russian navies that was initiated in 2003. The 8th edition of INDRA NAVY is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal from December 7 – 12, 2015. The primary aim of this exercise is to increase interoperability between the two navies and
USS Ross Trains with Black Sea Navies
The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) participated in a bilateral passing exercise (PASSEX) with ships from the Romanian, Turkish and Ukrainian Navies, Dec. 6. The PASSEX was conducted in order to improve maritime capabilities between the U.S. and Black Sea n
German FGS Augsburg Joins Fight against ISIS
German Bundestag authorized the deployment of German troops and units against ISIS in Syria on December 4, 2015. The German Navy will support the French group assembled around the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle. The frigate FGS Augsburg will be sent to aid the aircraft carrier’s operat
Oldest Aircraft Carrier in Service to Decommission
Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world, might become an aircraft carrier museum. The last British-built ship in the Indian Navy is planned to be decommissioned after it participates in the International Fleet Review 2016, which will take place
UK, US Navy Conduct Mine Countermeasures Exercise
A combined US/UK task group recently finished a Mine Countermeasure (MCM) exercise in the Persian Gulf. The scenario for the exercise was to clear ports of mines thereby allowing civilian vessels to pass through. The task group was commanded by Commander Paul Ottewell, Royal Navy, and made up of US
Australian Surveying Ships Secure Shipping Routes in Papua New Guinea
The Australian Survey Motor Launches, HMA Ships Benalla and Shepparton, arrived in Papua New Guinea on December 3 to conduct survey operations in the vicinity of Long Reef, in order to provide alternate routes for shipping through the area. Hydrographic Survey Ship, HMAS Leeuwin (HS Red Crew), had b
Harry S. Truman Carrier Group in Croatia
The U.S. aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman sailed into the Croatian port in Split December 5. The carrier strike group left their homeport in Norfolk, USA on November 16 to join the U.S. 6h fleet area of operations. The ship is scheduled to stay in Croatia until December 9. On December 6, the aircraf
Huntington Ingals Bags $200 M US Navy Deal for LPD 28
The U.S. shipbuilder, Huntington Ingalls Industries announced December 4 that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $200 million, advance procurement contract from the U.S. Navy for LPD 28, the 12th amphibious transport dock of the San Antonio (LPD 17) class. The funds will be used to pur
Streamer Award for German Frigate FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
President Minister of the German federated state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will award FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with the state’s streamer during a ceremony on December 7. The ceremony will take place at Passagierkai, Rostock, Germany. Many armies around the world award battle streamers as a special ho
700 Rescued off Libyan Coast
EUNAVFOR Med operation Sophia vessels participated in rescue operations saving 700 lives at sea on December 3. Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Rome, Italy sent a request early in the morning to Operation Sophia Force Commander, Rear Admiral (LH) Andrea Gueglio, to intervene on two ves
Change of Command for US Carrier Strike Group 10
U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 held a change of command ceremony while embarked aboard the flagship USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), in the Atlantic Ocean on December 1. Rear Admiral Jesse Wilson relieved Rear Admiral Bruce Lindsey. Lindsey, a naval aviator, was flying in an F/A-1
Russian Navy Enters New Year with 70 Vessels
Russian Navy ships, submarines, units and formations of the Northern, Pacific Ocean, Black Sea and Baltic Fleet met the new training year which started on December 1, with around 70 ships in service. According to the Russian Navy Main Command, special attention will be paid to the training of inters