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John Currin

15 years in Royal New Zealand Navy

HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves Portsmouth with F-35s on flight deck after short stop

3rd November 2023 at 4:40pm

Watch: HMS Queen Elizabeth departs Portsmouth for North Sea.

HMS Queen Elizabeth has left Portsmouth Naval Base the same way she arrived – with her F-35 fighter jets lined up on the flight deck.

The Royal Navy’s flagship had returned to her home port last Sunday, having spent time deployed in northern European waters with her Nato and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) allies.

Unusually, the £3bn vessel returned with her embarked F-35Bs on her flight deck – and the state-of-the-art jets remained there as she set sail from Portsmouth on Friday afternoon.

Friends, families and members of the public gathered on the city’s walls to wave off the ship and her crew.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, HMS Queen Elizabeth’s official account said the ship was returning to the North Sea.

“Farewell, Portsmouth! After a brief logistics stop we’re back to sea to resume our NATO tasking with our allies and partners in the North Sea. We’ve achieved a lot so far, but there’s much more to come!” the post said.

A Royal Navy spokesperson earlier said the ship had returned to Portsmouth for a logistics stop and a short period of maintenance.

The carrier and its aircraft recently took part in a range of exercises and training off the Norwegian coast.

The Royal Navy said the activity came as the UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, ramped up its work alongside its JEF allies.

HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed in Norway’s fjords and also visited the Swedish city of Gothenburg where events were hosted on board to “forge deeper bonds between the nations’ armed forces”.

JEF is a high-readiness task group committed to regional security that can respond to crises either alongside or independent of Nato.

Royal Marines snipers shoot out engines to bring drug-runners’ boat to a halt

Alex Walters

3rd November 2023 at 2:32pm

Royal Navy destroyer scores £60m drugs bust in the Caribbean Sea 03112023 CREDIT Royal Navy MOD
HMS Dauntless launched her Wildcat helicopter and a Royal Marines sniper team to close in on the suspect craft (Picture: Royal Navy)

A Royal Marines sniper team has brought a Caribbean drug-runners’ power boat to a “juddering halt” after shooting out its engines.

US Coast Guard personnel, working alongside the sailors and marines on board Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dauntless, were then able to seize £60m worth of cocaine, which the smugglers had been attempting to throw overboard.

The Portsmouth-based destroyer has now taken her tally to more than £200m worth of illegal narcotics intercepted after hunting down the 35ft vessel.

The Royal Navy said: “During a routine counter-narcotics patrol of the Caribbean Sea, Dauntless launched her Wildcat helicopter and Royal Marines sniper team to close in on the suspect craft.

“When smugglers began to jettison their illegal cargo, their engines were taken out with precision by the commando snipers, bringing the boat to a juddering halt.

“That allowed a US Coast Guard team to be dispatched from Dauntless and 11 large bales of cocaine weighing 330kg to be seized.”

Royal Navy warship Dauntless seized £60m worth of drugs and forced traffickers to scuttle their speedboat 03112023 CREDIT Royal Navy MOD
HMS Dauntless took her tally to more than £200m worth of illegal narcotics intercepted after hunting down the 35ft power boat (Picture: Royal Navy).

‘Proved their resilience’

HMS Dauntless’ Commanding Officer, Commander Ben Dorrington, said: “With another bust under the ship’s belt I cannot ask for more from my team.

“Their work ethos and attention to detail remains second to none, which shines through on such interdiction operations such as the last few months.

“The ship’s company have once again proved their resilience whilst in theatre, being able to adapt extremely efficiently to the ever-changing environment we work in.”

Earlier in the same patrol, but in a separate operation, suspected smugglers scuttled their speedboat as Dauntless closed in.

After being guided into position by US maritime patrol aircraft, Dauntless deployed her US Coast Guard detachment to board and search the craft – only for it to turn into a rescue operation when the small speedboat was sabotaged by its crew.

With their alleged smuggling mission foiled, cargo lost and boat sunk, two people were saved and brought aboard HMS Dauntless where they received medical treatment, food and water before being transferred to a US Navy ship the following day.

HMS Dauntless seized £60m worth of drugs and forced traffickers to scuttle their speedboat 03112023 CREDIT Royal Navy MOD
Dauntless deployed to the Caribbean in May, and have joined the international fight against drugs smuggling (Picture: Royal Navy).

One of Dauntless’ officers said: “It is imperative that the safety of all personnel involved is paramount, including that of the people suspected of transporting illicit contraband.

“To that end, it was vital that with their fast-sinking vessel, we suspended the boarding operation in order to rescue the two souls on the small craft to ensure their safety and lives were not put at risk.”

Dauntless deployed to the Caribbean in May to work with British Overseas Territories during the region’s hurricane season, but also to join the international fight against drug smuggling.

In this role, Dauntless works closely with US authorities – embarking a US Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team which has the authority to board and search suspect vessels.

HMS Dauntless has a Wildcat helicopter and Royal Marines sniper team from 42 Commando 03112023 CREDIT Royal Navy MOD
HMS Dauntless has a Wildcat helicopter and Royal Marines sniper team from 42 Commando who provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and aerial support (Picture: Royal Navy).

Along with the ship’s powerful array of sensors and radars, Dauntless has a Wildcat helicopter and Royal Marines sniper team from 42 Commando who provide reconnaissance, surveillance and aerial support during complex and often dangerous boarding operations.

This combined Dauntless team landed a £140m drugs bust during the summer, seizing 1,230kg from a drug-running boat.

Adding to their tally and proving their ability to operate seamlessly with US authorities, the ship later tracked a suspicious aircraft flying from Venezuela, alerting ground forces who seized a further 550kg of cocaine.

Partners hone skills at sea. Guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane prepares to come alongside HMNZS Aotearoa for a replenishment at sea during Exercise Bersama Lima. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo by Petty Officer Troy Haydon.Partners hone skills at sea.

The annual exercise drew together maritime, air and land forces from Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) countries; Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Following a weeklong harbour phase, the 10-day sea phase in the seas off Malaysia and Singapore had Brisbane and partner nations engaging in combined training across several maritime warfare disciplines.

Crews practised maritime interdiction skills, which are vital for intercepting military or civilian shipping to enforce embargoes, protect seagoing trade, counter piracy or – during conflict – disrupt supply lines and blockade ports.

Boarding parties deployed via the ship’s rigid hull inflatable boats, supported by Brisbane’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, provided overwatch while they boarded simulated merchant ships, played by Royal New Zealand Navy logistics ship HMNZS Aotearoa and Royal Malaysian Navy Keris-class littoral mission ship KD Keris.

Bridge teams practised ship handling and communications skills by conducting close, coordinated manoeuvring with partner nations’ ships – called officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres – and during replenishments at sea as Brisbane refuelled from Aotearoa.

Interoperability – the ability of partner militaries to operate together – was enhanced by many activities, including operating the Super Seasprite helicopter from New Zealand’s Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Mana from Brisbane’s flight deck.

Brisbane also strengthened international relations by hosting visits from Singaporean, Malaysian and New Zealand Navy personnel.

CAPTIONHMAS Brisbane and HMNZS Te Mana prepares to conduct a replenishment at sea with HMNZS Aotearoa. Photo by Leading Seaman Belinda Cole.

Commanding Officer Brisbane Commander Grant Coleman praised his ship’s company for their efforts during Bersama Lima.

“Opportunities to engage and exercise with our FPDA partners on this scale are valuable, and it was fantastic to see the smooth integration of personnel from all five nations working seamlessly together,” Commander Coleman said.

“Brisbane’s crew performed exceptionally, rising to the challenge of training in a complex and congested air and maritime environment while supporting our partners, demonstrating again the resilience of the FPDA partner nations.”

Bersama Lima focused on combined joint operations in a multi-threat environment across land, air and maritime domains, with training designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen professional relationships.

About 800 ADF personnel deployed to Malaysia for the exercise, with assets including F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft, the destroyer Brisbane and its embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

The FPDA, established in 1971, is the only multilateral security arrangement of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Brisbane participated in the exercise as part of a regional presence deployment throughout south-east and north-east Asia. Along with HMA Ships Stalwart and ToowoombaBrisbane has been conducting training, exercises, port visits and other engagements with regional partners.

New Zealand warship makes 3-day visit to Philippines

Ian Laqui – Philstar.com

November 3, 2023 | 5:30pm

vuukle comment
New Zealand warship makes 3-day visit to Philippines

This photo shows the HMNZS Aotearoa in the port of Manila.

New Zealand Embassy to the Philippines / Released

MANILA, Philippines —  New Zealand navy ship made a “goodwill visit” to the Philippines after visiting Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore. 

According to the New Zealand Embassy, the three-day goodwill visit presents New Zealand’s “dedication to maritime security, regional stability, and fostering diplomatic relations in the Indo-Pacific.”

“The visit demonstrates our increasing engagement in Southeast Asia and of course, the Philippines is an important part or country in the region. New Zealand would like to engage with like-minded countries, countries which share our values and we support each other in maintaining rules-based order,” Commander Robert Welford, Commanding Officer of HMNZS Aotearoa, said.

HMNZS Aotearoa participated in Operation Crucible, the New Zealand Defence Force’s largest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

“The HMNZS Aotearoa’s visit to the Philippines underscores New Zealand’s dedication to maritime security, regional stability, and fostering diplomatic relations in the Indo-Pacific. Ito ay nagsisilbing patunay sa matibay na samahan ng New Zealand at Pilipinas,” New Zealand Ambassador Peter Kell said. (It serves as a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between New Zealand and the Philippines.)

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The HMNZS Aotearoa is an auxiliary ship of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) which was manufactured by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the same manufacturer of the Philippine Navy’s flagship BRP Jose Rizal and some off-shore patrol vessels. 

The said vessel is the biggest and newest ship of the RNZN. It has been in Manila’s dock from October 30 to November 1.

Ford, Ike carrier strike groups exercise in Eastern Mediterranean

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

 Nov 4, 08:29 AM

Ships from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike groups, U.S. 6th Fleet command ship Mount Whitney and Italian Navy frigates Carlo Margottini and Virginio Fasan sail in formation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Janae Chambers/Navy)

As the world waits to see whether the Israel-Hamas war will balloon into a larger regional conflict, two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups conducted exercises together in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea this week.

Sailors from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as two Italian frigates — Virginio Fasan and Carlo Margottini — and the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship Mount Whitney, engaged in “high-value unit defense, ballistic missile defense, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations and maritime security operations,” the Navy said Friday.

More than 11,000 U.S. personnel participated in the three-day exercise.

FS Victor Hugo was in the early 1900s made ​​the French fleet, Léon Gambetta class armored cruiser .

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Léon Gambetta class
The vessel was ordered in Lorient laivastontelakalta. Its keel was laid in March 1903 and the ship was launched on 30 March 1903 [1] . The vessel was recruited in 1907. [2]
Favor [ edit | edit the wiki text ]
The ship served in 1914-1915 in the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. It could torpedoidun battleship Jean Bart in Malta in 1916, The ship was assisted by Jules Micheletti with the Serbian Army in the evacuation of Corfu and Bizertaan. The Far East after returning the ship was transferred to the reserve in 1923 in Toulon, and it was sold on 20 january 1928 to 2.75 million francs valmistumiskustannusten has been in SEKm 29. The ship was scrapped on 26 November 1930.

China Sends Fleet to Build Antarctic Research Station

FILE PHOTO: People attend the launch ceremony of China’s first domestically built polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, at a shipyard in Shanghai, China September 10, 2018. Picture taken September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

BEIJING, Nov 1 (Reuters) – Two Chinese icebreaker research vessels and a cargo ship set sail on Wednesday for the Antarctic with more than 460 personnel on board to help complete construction of China’s fifth station on the world’s southernmost continent.

China’s biggest flotilla of research vessels deployed to the Antarctic will focus on building the station on the rocky, windswept Inexpressible Island near the Ross Sea, a deep Southern Ocean bay named after a 19th century British explorer.

Work on the first Chinese station in the Pacific sector began in 2018. It will be used to conduct research on the region’s environment, state television reported.

China has four research stations in the Antarctic built from 1985 to 2014. A U.S.-based think tank estimated the fifth could be finished next year.

The facility is expected to include an observatory with a satellite ground station, and should help China “fill in a major gap” in its ability to access the continent, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in a report this year.

The station is also well situated to collect signals intelligence over Australia and New Zealand and telemetry data on rockets launched from Australia’s new Arnhem Space Centre, it said. 

China rejects suggestions that its stations would be used for espionage.

The two icebreakers, Xuelong 1 and Xuelong 2, the name means “Snow Dragon” in Chinese, set sail from Shanghai with mostly personnel and logistics supplies on board.

The cargo ship “Tianhui,” or “Divine Blessings,” taking construction material for the station, set off from the eastern port of Zhangjiagang.

The five-month mission will include a survey on the impact of climate change.

The two icebreakers will also conduct environmental surveys in the Prydez Bay, the Astronaut Sea in southeast Antarctic, and in the Ross Sea and Amundsen Sea in the west.

The mission, China’s 40th to the Antarctic, will also cooperate with countries including the United States, Britain, and Russia on logistics supply, state media said.

(Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo; editing by Robert Birsel)(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023.

The U.S. Navy battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) drydocked in an Advanced Base Sectional Dock (ABSD) at the Pacific, circa 1944. (Photos on blog)

Note the extensive anti-torpedo “blister” built into her hull side and paravane streaming chains running from her forefoot to her foredeck. She is painted in Camouflage Mea

The U.S. Navy battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) underway off New York City (USA) during the Naval Review before President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 31 May 1934. Pennsylvania was then serving as flagship of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, Admiral David F. Sellers, USN

U.S.S. Pennsylvania, Dec. 13, 1916

The United States battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) underway, c. 1920

USS Pennsylvania, probably during 1925 visit to Australia.

South African Navy’s 2nd multi-mission inshore patrol boat named

October 31, 2023, by Fatima Bahtić

The South African Navy has named the second (2nd) of three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) in Durban harbor.

Damen

During the ceremony, the vessel was officially named SAS King Shaka Zulu. Named for the great Zulu King the vessel was built entirely in South Africa at Damen Shipyards Cape Town.

It was designed to deliver rapid response capabilities along South Africa’s extensive 2,798-kilometre coastline and it is poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding national waters, according to the navy.

Damen

The vessels feature Sea Axe hull design, patented by Damen. They are equipped with advanced military equipment to bolster the navy’s ability to respond effectively and swiftly to threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling operations.

Damen

“I must congratulate Damen Shipyards Cape Town, Armscor, the Defence Materiel Division and the SA Navy who all formed part of the Integrated Project Team for their absolutely sterling work of building these ships on time, in budget and to specification. This was indeed a monumental task and serves as a testament to the willingness of various companies and organisations to come together to produce something that will benefit the people of South African for many years,” Vice Admiral Monde Lobese said.

“South Africa must continue to prioritise supporting local vessel suppliers because this creates jobs and develops transferrable skills which are in demand and can be used in other industries. New technologies are developed, opportunities from abroad are facilitated, and a base for growing exports is created and taken advantage of. As a result of our work on the MMIPV project, DSCT has exported vessels built here and equipped with South African products to Djibouti and UAE,” Sefale Montsi, Director of Damen Shipyards Cape Town, stated.

Hobart-based Sentinel Boats supplies watercraft to Royal New Zealand Navy

1 November 2023 | Andrew McLaughlin

Sentinel Boats

The first of three Sentinel Boats LMCs has entered service with the Royal New Zealand Navy. Photo: Sentinel Boats.

The first of three high-technology general-purpose boats designed and built by Hobart-based Sentinel Boats have entered service with the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Formerly called PFG, Sentinel Boats designed the craft with a team that includes naval architecture firm One2three, and integration specialist Bellinger Systems.

The 12.5 metre-long Littoral Manoeuvre Craft (LMC) are being deployed at HMNZS Matataua at Davenport in Auckland, as fast, dependable and fit-for-purpose vessels. HMNZS Matataua is part of the RNZN’s Littoral Warfare Force.

The vessels are constructed from polyethylene as opposed to the more commonly used fibreglass or aluminium. This makes them extremely durable, highly resistant to impact and gives them a very low magnetic and acoustic signature.

They are powered by twin Cummins 550 hp diesel engines coupled with HamiltonJet waterjets giving them a speed of more than 40 knots, and a range of more than 150 nautical miles when fully loaded. They can be configured for mission profiles such as dive operations, hydrographic survey support and reconnaissance.

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Commanding officer of HMNZS Matataua Commander Trevor Leslie said the LMCs would provide a vital link between coastal operations and tactical insertion of diving and hydrographic specialists, as well as providing a reconnaissance option.

“These vessels will allow us to go further and faster with more personnel, and once inserted we can do so much more,” he said in an RNZN release. “In that regard they’re a real game-changer for Matataua.”

Commander Leslie said the LMCs could comfortably transport six divers with military diving equipment and the smaller Zodiac boats, or hydrographic survey operators with underwater autonomous vehicles or even an infantry section of 10 soldiers with packs and rifles.

RNZN Able Seaman Combat Specialist James Perham described the LMC’s handling as “like a train on tracks”.

“A typical jet boat, when you turn hard, the rear end skids out a bit, whereas with the hull design of this boat, it just digs in like a boat with outboards, so this means we can turn on a dime,” ASCS Perham said.

“Once you get the feel for the LMC and put the time in on the helm it drives like a dream and is far more capable than any other boat that any of the SCS personnel at MATATAUA have driven, it’s so much more capable.”

Sentinel Boats

A Sentinel Boats LMC at pace. Photo: Sentinel Boats

In a company release, Sentinel Boats CEO George McGuire said there was growing recognition of the benefits of HDPE in the defence, first response and rescue sectors.

“We are incredibly proud of the LMCs, which are highly versatile and deliver truly unique capabilities to the RNZN, including the ability to launch and recover a 5.3 metre tender,” he said.

“These boats have been developed as a true partnership between Sentinel Boats and the RNZN and they are already proving their worth in service applications. They have been described as a ‘game-changer’ by the RNZN.

“We have shown that we are capable of building world-class boats, and the world is taking notice.”