Last week an AB-412 SAR helicopter from Leeuwarden air base brought 3 crew members of a Belgian fishing boat to safety. The crew members were hoisted on board the helicopter using a rescue rope.

On Wednesday night, the shrimp boat ‘Zeldenrust’ stranded on a breakwater on the coast near Petten in the province of Noord-Holland . The ship’s propeller had got caught in a fishnet, rendering her unmanageable.

The AB-412 helicopters of Leeuwarden air base are on call for rescue operations 24/7. The aircraft are part of Defence Helicopter Command of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Press Release, October 24, 2013; Image: Defensie

The Los Angeles-class, fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) arrived at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, Oct. 23, for a visit as part of her deployment to the Western Pacific.

With a crew of approximately 135 men, Santa Fe will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.

“Santa Fe is honored to be guests of Singapore and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN),” said Cmdr. Timothy J. Poe, Santa Fe’s commanding officer. “The wealth of culture that my crew will experience in this great country will enhance cooperation and understanding between the U.S. Navy and our critical ally, the RSN.”

Santa Fe is a preeminent weapon in the nation’s naval arsenal. Exercising dominant control of the littoral and open sea, Santa Fe prepares the battle space, promotes maritime security, and deters aggression across the globe.

“This is a great opportunity for our Sailors to experience the world and get some much needed rest,” said Gonzalez. “Our motto is ‘Fight Hard, Play Hard’ – we’ve done the first part of our motto, now it’s time for the second.”

This will be the first visit to Singapore for the majority of the crew and the excitement can be sensed throughout the ship.

“I can’t wait to try some different food and experience the culture of another country,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Dustin Bullock. “I’m also excited about catching up on Kentucky Wildcat football!”

Santa Fe, named after the city of Santa Fe, N. M. is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 7.

Measuring more than 360 feet long and weighing more than 6,800 tons when submerged, Santa Fe is among the world’s stealthiest platforms. This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Press Release, October 24, 2013; Image: US Navy

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal paid a special visit to HMS Sultan on Friday 18 October 2013 as the Guest of Honour at the establishment’s Ceremonial Divisions. In addition to inspecting the Guard of Honour the Princess Royal presented awards and medals to worthy recipients.

Escorted by Captain Trevor Gulley Royal Navy, the Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, throughout, Her Royal Highness spoke to several members of the 96 man Guard before presenting the awards.

On completion of the parade the Princess Royal saluted the marching platoons and the Royal Marines Band Collingwood as they ‘marched past’.

The Princess Royal spoke to each medal recipient as she presented their award, one of which was Chief Petty Officer Marine Engineering Darren Collins, who is currently serving as a Divisional Officer within the Marine Engineering Training Group, Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE), HMS Sultan.

He was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for 15 years Service. During Darren’s career within the Royal navy he has completed deployment to Libya, serving onboard HMS Liverpool as part of NATO’s Operation Unified Protector(2012), Afgahanistan and Iraq (both 2003) and he has also served on numerous other ships including HMS Richmond, HMS Trafalgar, HMS Turbulent and HMS Nottingham.

When asked what they talked about Darren said,

“I was a little bit nervous but Her Royal Highness puts you at ease. We had a good chat and she asked me about my medal and congratulated me on my career.

“I could’ve picked up my medals six months ago but when I heard it was ceremonial divisions – it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It’s a great honour to have them presented by Her Royal Highness.”

In addition to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, other VIPs in attendance included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Rear Admiral (Retired) John Lang, the Mayor of Gosport Councillor John Beavis and his wife Mayoress Christine Beavis.

As part of the Defence College of Technical Training, HMS Sultan is the home of Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE) and the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival School (RNAESS) whose primary function is to supply the Front Line with engineering Officers and Ratings of the highest quality.

In addition the Establishment plays host to The Admiralty Interview Board (AIB), The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA), The Nuclear Department of the Defence Academy and the HQ of the Defence College of Technical Training.

The Royal Navy Establishment is home to members of all 3 services and operates as part of Royal Air Force No 22 (Training) Group. The Establishment’s mission is to be ‘A unified, vibrant and trusted RN Training Establishment aiming for excellence in all that we do’.

Press Release, October 24, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

USS Ford (FFG 54), slated to be decommissioned during a ceremony Oct. 31, reached a major milestone Oct. 22 here with the final acceptance of the ship to Naval Sea Systems Command’s Inactive Ships Management Office.

Over the past two-and-a-half months, Ford Sailors worked hard to remove gear and equipment, securing and placing systems into long-term layup, and prepping the ship to be towed to Bremerton, Wash., to join the Inactive Ship Facility.

Willie Taylor, one of the inspectors for the inactive ships program stated “I have been doing this job since 1992, and this is the best decommissioning I have seen in those 20 years.”

Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) (SW/IUSS) Phil Nesbitt praised his tiger teams by saying “they performed flawlessly while facing limited resources and a shortened decommissioning schedule and the greatest accomplishment was turning the ship over ahead of schedule with true Ford tenacity.”

Ford is scheduled to host nearly 320 friends, family, alumni, and honored guests during a ceremony at her homeport of Naval Station Everett.

Among those expected to attend are 126 former crew members and their families, including 14 “plank-owners” (crew members who were assigned to the ship when it was commissioned) and seven former commanding officers.

The ship and her crew will also be joined by 13 members of ship’s namesake Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Patrick Ford’s family.

Guest speaker at the decommissioning next Thursday will be retired Capt. David F. Matawitz, former commanding officer of Ford from 2001 to 2003.

Ford was commissioned June 29, 1985, in Long Beach, Calif., and served the Navy and the nation for more than 28 years.

Press Release, October 24, 2013; Image: Navy

A Royal Navy warship has joined forces with Indian colleagues for a demonstration of capability and improving mutual understanding.

HMS Westminster, currently on deployment in the Indian Ocean, has arrived in the Indian port of Mormuguo, Goa in preparation for Exercise Konkan.

The exercise will run in two phases, initially a harbour phase to test communications and carry out training, as well a pre-sailing conference, and then the chance to play each other at sports.

The second phase will be conducted at sea where HMS Westminster and INS Delhi will conduct a multitude of operations, including gunnery, boarding, flying stations, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft exercises.

HMS Westminster’s Commanding Officer, Captain Hugh Beard, said,

“It is with great pleasure that Westminster returns to Goa following our successful Konkan exercise in April 2008.

“It’s my first experience of operations with the Indian Navy and my aim is to build upon the successes of my predecessors and increase the mutual understanding and cooperation between our two navies.

“From a personal perspective I’m also looking forward to the cultural diversity that India has to offer.”

Press Release, October 24, 2013; Image: Royal Navy