The newly refurbished Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, which unveiled historical secrets to the public, has been declared a success by attracting over 1,200 visitors during the inaugural Plymouth History Festival.
Intrigued visitors, including base staff and families, poured into the base on the two Open Days, in particular to learn fascinating historical facts from ‘behind the dockyard wall’.
There were also guided tours by the heritage volunteers and themed talks on subjects such as Crime and Punishment in the 18th and 19th Centuries which highlighted Plymouth’s rich history and heritage.
 The Naval Heritage Manager, Warrant Officer Adrian “Boz” Boswell, said:

 “The Open Days gave us the rare opportunity to throw open the Naval Base gates to the public as part of the city’s History Festival.
“This gave us the chance to show-case our rich heritage collection to hundreds of people who were fascinated to see what lies behind the Naval Base wall.
“The Royal Navy has very close links with the people of Plymouth and further afield going back hundreds of years and we are keen for them to see what is usually necessarily closed to them in as large numbers as possible.
“Therefore, it is very encouraging to see so many come through the gates and enjoy themselves delving into the past and seeing the present as well.
“We are looking forward to opening again as part of the Armed Forces Week celebrations on Sunday 30th June.’’

Volunteers worked for six months preparing heritage collection for display and refurbishing the galleries which includes a display on HMS Warspite the Royal Navy’s most decorated warship which was launched in Plymouth 100 years ago on 26 November 1913.
Visitors were given the unique opportunity to be given a guided tour of Courageous – the only decommissioned nuclear-powered submarine opened as a museum this side of the Atlantic.
Refurbished entirely by volunteers, the Churchill Class nuclear submarine provides a fascinating glimpse into the operational world of the ‘Silent Service’ and the cramped conditions in which 120 men worked, ate, slept and socialised.
The Naval Heritage Centre is accessed via Granby Way in Devonport. Admission is free, although donations to help maintain the exhibitions are welcome.
The next Naval Heritage Centre Open Day will be on Sunday 30th June from 10am – 5pm.

Press Release, June 17, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

Romanian helicopter manufacturer IAR Brasov has chosen Thales to supply TMS 2000 sonobuoy processors to equip IAR-330 Pumahelicopters operated by the Romanian Navy.
The processors will give the Romanian Navy a decisive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability to detect submarines in the Black Sea, in particular as part of NATO missions.
TMS 2000 processors offer a rapidly deployable ASW capability, with installation requiring only minor modifications to the aircraft. Sonobuoys are released over the sea by a fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft and send acoustic data to the processor via a VHF link. The VHF receiver on the aircraft receives and processes the data in real time.
With the TMS 2000 system, Thales offers a solution that is both cost-effective and highly efficient in operational terms. It is quick and easy to install and delivers excellent signal processing performance and display quality. Overall, the TMS 2000 represents an ideal solution for navies that need to quickly acquire an ASW capability.
Thales offers proven sonobuoy processors for maritime patrol aircraft as well as helicopters of all sizes. The operational performance of sonobuoys has improved rapidly in recent years, making them an increasingly serious threat to any submarine seeking to avoid detection.
With a large number of systems already in service, Thales is a leading player in sonobuoy processors and is maintaining a significant level of investment in order to ensure client navies benefit from the very latest systems and technologies.
The TMS 2000 processor is one of the most advanced currently available on the market and equips NH90 helicopters operated by the French, Norwegian and Swedish Navies as well as the Royal Navy’s EH101 Merlins.

Press Release, June 17, 2013; Image: Thales

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage made inspections of the Western Fleet at SLNS Rangalla on 14^th June 2013.
He was accompanied by Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe, Director Naval Operations, Commodore NPS Attygalle and Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet, Commodore PRB Dissanayake.
Commander of the Navy addressed the naval personnel of the Western Fleet and commended their operational readiness and preparations for disaster relief missions. He instructed the Commanding Officers and the Officers-in-Charge of the ships and craft attached to the Western Fleet to ensure their vessels’ efficiency and men’s welfare facilities. He opined that the vessels well maintained and men well looked after would be the key factor in achieving success in naval operations.

Press Release, June 17, 2013; Image: Sri Lanka Navy

Commander Leif Maxfield has assumed command of HMAS Tobruk, relieving Commander Tim Watson while the ship stopped over in Townsville on 7 June 2013.
Commander Maxfield will lead the ship as it sails towards Papua New Guinea for PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2013, a humanitarian mission to supply medical and engineering aid.
For Commander Watson, the moment was bittersweet as he saw the ship and her crew off.

“I’m very proud of what, Tobruk has accomplished these past months,” he said.
“I hope the crew are as proud of themselves as I am of them.”

Commander Watson will move into his new position as a Capability Manager within the Amphibious Afloat Support Group.
New Commanding Officer Commander Maxfield said he was inheriting a capable ship and hardworking crew and was looking forward to the ships deployment to Papua New Guinea.

“It’s a great privilege to assume command of HMAS Tobruk – a ship with an outstanding history of achievement and service and which is close to the heart of many people who have served on her in the past 32 years.”
“HMAS Tobruk is again showing her versatility and capability as she heads north to support PP 13 in PNG.”
“Tobruk’s ship’s company is well prepared, highly motivate and enthusiastically looking forward to working with our close friends in Papua New Guinea.”

HMAS Tobruk is a heavy lift ship based at Fleet Base East in Sydney.
During her seven week deployment, Tobruk will transport over 100 embarked medical and engineering personnel from Australia, Japan and the United States as well as 100 tonnes of cargo bound for the remote townships of Wewak and Vanimo.
HMAS Tobruk will return to Sydney at the end of her deployment in late July.

Press Release, June 17, 2013; Image: Australian Navy