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WEEKLY NEWS & LOG UPDATE
Dec 14 – 27
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NAVAL & MARINE OPERATIONS
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CHINA
Peoples Liberation Army – Navy
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Task Forces
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18th
ESCORT TASK FORCE
PLAN Changbaishan
(LPD)
PLAN Yuncheng
(Frigate)
PLAN Chaohu (Supply)
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LOCATION: Gulf of Aden
(Anti-Piracy Patrols / Commercial Shipping Escorts)
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(Dec 20) @ Gulf of Aden; PLAN Changbaishan leads group escort convoy
mission for 18th and 19th Task Forces (Peoples Daily)
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19th
ESCORT TASK FORCE
PLAN Linyi (Frigate)
PLAN Weifang
(Frigate)
PLAN Weishanhu
(Supply)
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LOCATION: En-Route to Gulf of
Aden (Anti-Piracy Patrols / Shipping Escorts)
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NO UPDATES
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Other
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NO UPDATES
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FRANCE
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TASK FORCES
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CDG Carrier Battle Group
FS Charles de Gualle (Carrier)
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11F: (12)
Rafale Marine
FS Chevalier Paul
(DDG)
FS Montcalm (DDG)
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LOCATION: <TRAINING>
Mediterranean Sea
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(Dec 17)
France 2 TV will feature the carrier FS Charles De Gaulle on Jan 1st,
touring the ship and interviewing officers and sailors, and reviewing
15-years of service history (GOV.FR)
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Atlantic
Patrols
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<Forward-Deployed>
FS Dumont d’Urville
(LST)
FS Germinal (Frigate)
FS Ventose (Frigate)
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LOCATION: Based @ Martinique
Island, Caribbean Sea
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NO UPDATES
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<CORYMBE Patrol>
FS EV Jacoubet
(Frigate)
FS LV Lavalle
(Frigate)
FS Tonnere (Assault
Ship)
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LOCATION: Gulf of Guinea,
Atlantic Ocean
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(Dec 11) @ Atlantic,
FS EV Jacoubet and LV Lavalle conduct TRALER (transfer of light goods),
Lavalle assumes command of CORYMBE patrol and escort for FS Tonnerre (GOV.FR)
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Med Patrol
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LOCATION: East Mediterranean
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NO UPDATES
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BLACK SEA PATROL
FS Dupuy de Lome (Intel)
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LOCATION: Black Sea
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NO UPDATES
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Indian Ocean
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<Forward-Deployed>
FS Floreal (Frigate)
FS Nivose (Frigate)
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LOCATION: Based @ Reunion
Island; Indian Ocean
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NO UPDATES
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<Op. CHAMMAL>
FS Jean Bart (Destroyer)
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LOCATION: <IRAQ-ISIS OPERATIONS>
Arabian Gulf; Indian Ocean
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NO UPDATES
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<CMF-CTF-150>
FS Guepratte (Frigate)
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LOCATION: Indian Ocean
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NO UPDATES
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Pacific
Patrols
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<Forward-Deployed>
FS Prairial (Frigate)
FS Vendemiaire
(Frigate)
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LOCATION: Based @ New Caledonia
& Tahiti Island; Pacific Ocean
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NO UPDATES
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Other
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RUSSIA
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Task Forces
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MED.
TASK FORCE
RFS Vice Adm. Kulakov (Destroyer)
RFS Yaroslav Mudry (Frigate)
(3-5) U/I LSTs
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LOCATION: Mediterranean
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RFS Kulakov <MAINTENANCE
PERIOD @ SYRIA>
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(Dec 18) @
Suez Canal; RFS Mudry transits Suez Canal into Mediterranean after
conducting drills in Red Sea, will join Med Task Force, the Baltic Fleet
frigate deployed to Indian Ocean on Aug 9 (SPUTNIK)
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MOSKVA
Task Force
RFS Cola (Tanker)
RFS Moskva (Cruiser)
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LOCATION: Indian Ocean
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(Dec 22) @
Sri Lanka; RFS Moskva visits Colomba for rest and relaxation, is greeted by
Russian ambassador to Sri Lanka, is participating in joint naval exercises
with Sri Lankan Navy (News.LK)
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(Sept 23) @
Sri Lanka; Port visit, is en-route to S. China Sea for drills with China (IB Times)
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(Sept 6) @
Crimea; Depart homeport for deployment, visit Greece (IB Times)
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SEVEROMORSK
Task Force
RFS Dubna (Tanker)
RFS Severomorsk (Destroyer)
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LOCATION: Horn of Africa <Anti-Piracy
Patrol>
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(Dec 23) @
Red Sea; RFS Severomorsk Task Force, including RFS Dubna (Tanker),
transited the Suez Canal, is heading to Horn of Africa for anti-piracy
patrol (INTERFAX)
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Other
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RFS Vladivostok (Assault Ship)
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(Dec 17) French shipbuilder at Saint-Nazaire
says the 400-Russian sailors in France will return to Russia before the end
of this year
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UNITED
KINGDOM – ROYAL NAVY
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TASK FORCES
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COUGAR 2014
(Aug – Dec)
HMS Bulwark (LPD)
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Commander, 3 Commando
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40 Commando
RFA Lyme Bay (LSD)
RFA Wave Ruler (Supply)
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LOCATION: Arabian Sea
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(Dec 15) @ UK; HMS Bulwark returns to homeport in time for Christmas (MOD.UK)
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HMS Ocean
Task Force
HMS Ocean (Assault Ship)
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LOCATION: <OST TRAINING>
Atlantic Ocean
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NO UPDATES
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Atlantic Patrol
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HMS Argyll (Frigate)
HMS Dragon (Destroyer)
HMS Iron Duke (Frigate)
HMS Protector (Ice Patrol)
HMS Severn (Patrol)
HMCS Athabaskan (Destroyer)
RFA Argus (Hospital)
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LOCATION: Atlantic and Caribbean
Sea
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(Dec 24) @ Antarctica; HMS Protector delivers supplies to UK base at
Port Lockroy, receive Christmas boxes from UK4U, is currently midway through
its 2014/15 Austral Summer deployment (MOD.UK)
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(Dec 19) @ S. America; HMS Dragon transits into Atlantic Ocean via
the natural canals of Patagonia with the help of two local pilots (MOD.UK)
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(Dec 19) @ UK; HMS Iron Duke returns to Portsmouth following
successful 6-month South Atlantic deployment (MOD.UK)
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(Dec 18) @ UK; HMS Argyll returns home from 6-month Caribbean and
North Atlantic patrol (MOD.UK)
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(Dec 15) @ Sierra Leone; helicopters and landing craft from RFA Argus
deliver a month of supplies to remote islands unable to trade due to Ebola
related restrictions (MOD.UK)
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(Dec 15) HMS Severn takes over N. Atlantic patrol duties from HMS
Argyll, exchanging stores and personnel for Command Team briefing, will be
focusing its efforts on anti-drug efforts in the Caribbean and surrounding
areas until July 2015 (MOD.UK)
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Med Patrol
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HMS Enterprise (Survey)
HMCS Toronto
(Frigate)
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NO UPDATES
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<SNMG-2>
HMCS Fredericton (Frigate)
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(Dec 19) @
Canada; HMCS Fredericton prepares to deploy to NATO-SNMG-2 OPERATION
REASSURANCE in the Mediterranean, will replace HMCS Toronto (GC.CA)
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Indian Ocean Patrol
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HMS Kent (Frigate)
RFA Cardigan Bay (LSD)
RFA Fort Austin (Supply)
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(Dec 22) @ Arabian Gulf; HMS Kent support airstrikes on ISIS as
escort for USS Vinson CSG and acting as plane guard, RFA Fort Austin also
joined carrier group (MOD.UK)
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(Dec 15) @ Arabian Gulf; HMS Kent receives Christmas mail delivery
while on patrol with US Navy USS Vinson CSG (MOD.UK)
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<CMF-CTF-150>
HMAS Toowoomba (FFH-156)
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(Dec 23) @
Australia; HMAS Toowoomba returns home from Indian Ocean (YAHOO)
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PACIFIC
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<Operation
RESOLUTE>
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NO UPDATES
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Other
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NO UPDATES
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UNITED STATES
NAVY
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Carrier Strike Groups
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USS Carl Vinson (CSG-1)
USS Carl Vinson
(CVN-70)
USS
Bunker Hill (CG-52)
USS
Gridley (DDG-101)
USS
Sterett (DDG-104)
USS Dewey
(DDG-105)
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Commander, CSG-1
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Commander,
DESRON – 1
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Carrier
Air Wing – 17
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LOCATION: <IRAQ OPERATIONS> 5th
Fleet, Arabian Gulf
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(Dec 17) @ Arabian Gulf; surge in US airstrikes, including aircraft
from USS Vinson, aid Kurds in offensive against ISIS to recapture Sinjar
and Zumar (AINA)
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USS Theodore Roosevelt (CSG-12)
USS T. Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Normandy (CG-60)
USS Winston Churchill
(DDG-81)
USS Forrest Sherman
(DDG-98)
USS Farragut (DDG-99)
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Commander,
CSG-12
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Commander,
DESRON-2
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Carrier Air
Wing – 1
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LOCATION: <TRAINING> Atlantic @ Norfolk (2015
Deployment)
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NO
UPDATES
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Amphibious Ready Groups
&
Command
Ships
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5th FLEET SEA BASE
USS Ponce (AFSB[I]-15, Sea
Base)
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LOCATION:
Arabian Gulf (Forward – Deployed)
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NO UPDATES
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USS Essex ARG
USS Essex (LHD-2)
USS Anchorage (LPD-23)
USS Rushmore (LSD-47)
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15th
MEU
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LOCATION: <TRAINING> Pacific
@ San Diego (Spring, 2015)
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NO UPDATES
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USS Iwo Jima ARG
USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7)
USS New York (LPD-21)
USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)
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24th
MEU
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LOCATION: Atlantic Ocean (CENTCOM
Deployment)
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NO UPDATES
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USS Makin Island ARG
USS Makin Island (LHD-8)
USS San Diego (LPD-22)
USS Comstock (LSD-45)
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Commander,
PHIBRON-5
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11th
MEU
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LOCATION: <IRAQ OPERATIONS> 5th Fleet;
Arabian Gulf
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(Dec 16) @ Saudi Arabia; 11th MEU, supported by USS San
Diego and Comstock, participate in exercise RED REEF 2015 at Ras Al Khair
with (3) Saudi marine battalions (USN)
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(Dec 14) @ Gulf of Aden; PHIBRON-5 holds change of command ceremony
aboard USS Makin Island, Captain McKone assumes command (USN)
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(Dec 10) @
Gulf of Aden; USS Makin Island MWR Fun Boss hosts the Reindeer Games (USN)
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USS Peleliu ARG
(PEL-ESG)
USS Peleliu (LHA-5)
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Commander,
ESG-7
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Commander,
PHIBRON-11
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31st
MEU
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LOCATION: 7th
Fleet, Pacific Ocean
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(Dec 24) @ San Diego; USS Peleliu “Iron Nickel” returns from final
6-month WESTPAC deployment; will decommission in March after 34 years of
service (USN)
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Other
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USA & UK Navies sign framework for future cooperation:
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(Dec 11) @ Washington; USN-CNO and RN-First Sea Lord sign 15-year
bilateral agreement on maritime cooperation following a yearlong study
period to identify opportunities to enhance ties, which included the
formation of a joint RN-USN destroyer squadron for 9-months in 6th
and 5th fleet aboard USS Truman; RN sailors are also training
aboard US carriers in preparation for service aboard the HMS Queen
Elizabeth (USN)
USS Donald Cook (Destroyer)
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(Dec 26) @ Black Sea; US destroyer enters Black Sea second time in
one year (SPUTNIK)
USS Fort Worth (LCS-3; Littoral Combat Ship)
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(Dec 22) @ Indonesia; US Littoral Combat Ship visits Jakarta as part
of 16-month deployment to WESTPAC (USN)
USS Ranger (CV-61; Carrier)
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(Dec 22) US Navy awarded service contract to tow and dismantle former
Forestall class carrier, will be towed from Bremerton in January or
February (USN)
USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60; Frigate)
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(Dec 19) @ Everett, WA; O.H. Perry Class frigate returns from final
6-month deployment to Pacific and Indian Ocean, will be decommissioned on
March (USN)
USS Stennis (CVN-74; Carrier)
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(Dec 12) @ Pacific; USS Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9 successfully
complete flight deck certifications after a 16-month DPIA maintenance
period (USN)
USS Tortuga (LSD-46, Landing Ship)
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(Dec 17) @ Norfolk; two naval officers on USS Tortuga were fired
following collision with buoy in Chesapeake Bay (Oct 6), knocking the buoy
adrift and causing $2.5 million in damage to the ship (military.com)
USS Vandergrift (FFG-48; Frigate)
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(Dec 12) @ San Diego; US frigate returns from 4th Fleet
SOUTHCOM deployment, will decommission following 30-years of service (USN)
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OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS
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EU
Naval
Task Forces
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EUNAVFOR
“OPERATION
ATALANTA”
(CTF-465)
FGS
Lubeck (Frigate)
HNLMS
Van Speijk (Frigate)
HS
Psara (Frigate)
ITS
Andrea Doria (Destroyer)[FLAG]
SPS
Rayo (Ocean Patrol Ship)
TCG
Gelibolu (Frigate)
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LOCATION: Indian Ocean
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(Dec 15) @ Madagascar; ITS Andrea Doria visits Antsirana (marinelink.com)
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(Dec 11) Future Swedish task force commander meets Chief of Staff at MARCOM-HQ
to discuss future anti-piracy operation in Indian Ocean (NATO)
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NATO
Naval
Task Forces
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OPERATION
OCEAN SHIELD
(CTF-508)
NONE
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LOCATION: Arabian Sea
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NO UPDATES
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NATO – SNMG-2
HMCS Fredericton (Frigate)
HMCS Toronto (Frigate)
TCG Kemalreis (Frigate)
USS Vicksburg (Cruiser)
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LOCATION: Mediterranean
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(Dec 20) @
Italy; USS Vicksburg relieves USS Leyte Gulf as flagship for NATO naval
combat patrol SNMG-2 for Mediterranean (NATO)
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(Dec 19) @
Canada; HMCS Fredericton prepares to deploy to NATO-SNMG-2 OPERATION
REASSURANCE in the Mediterranean, will replace HMCS Toronto (GC.CA)
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NATO – SNMG-2
(Unit-2)
SPS Alm. Juan de Borbon
(Frigate)
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LOCATION: Black Sea & Mediterranean
Patrol
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NO UPDATES
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NATO – SNMCMG-1
LNS
Jotvingis (MCM) <FLAG>
(6-8) NATO Minehunters
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LOCATION: English Channel
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(Dec 18) @
Lithuania; NATO countermine group SMCMG-1 returns to Klaipeda, Lithuania,
ends 5-month patrol / sea period (NATO)
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NATO – SNMCMG-2
ITS
Aviere (Frigate) <FLAG>
(6)
NATO Minehunters
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LOCATION: Mediterranean “ACTIVE
ENDEAVOUR” Patrol
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(Dec 18) @ Italy; ITS Aviere returns to home port, ending patrol as
flagship of NATO-SMCMG-2, celebrates 30 years since launch (DIFESA)
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(Dec 18) @ UK; HMS Grimsley returns to NB Clyde following 4-month
deployment with NATO-SMCMG-2 (MOD.UK)
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UN
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CMF
Task Force
(CTF-150)
(UNSC-1368,
1373)
FS Guepratte (Frigate)
RFA Fort Austin (Supply)
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LOCATION: Indian Ocean
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NO UPDATES
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CMF
Task Force
(CTF-151)
JS
Takanami (Destroyer)
ROKS Munmu The Great
(Destroyer)
TCG Gemlik
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LOCATION: Gulf of Aden &
Arabian Sea
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NO UPDATES
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Other
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NO UPDATES
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AIR-GROUND OPERATIONS
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CHINA
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NO UPDATES
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FRANCE
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Op. Sangaris:
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
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NO UPDATES
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Op. Chammal:
IRAQ
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(Dec 17) @
Jordan; (3) French AF Mirage 2000’s from the 3rd Airwing at
Nancy arrive in Jordan, (6) are now stationed in Jordan as part of Recon
and strike mission against ISIS (GOV.FR)
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Op. BAL:
MALI-NIGER-CHAD
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NO UPDATES
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RUSSIA
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BELARUS
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(Dec 23)
Russia plans to increase number of helicopters and fighters at new airbase
near Nobruisk in 2016, will include SU-27 Flanker Fighters and S-300 air
defense systems (SPUTNIK)
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UKRAINE
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·
(Dec 17) Russian AF moves a dozen MIG-31
fighters near Ukraine border, possibly for on-demand recon support for
rebels (includes commentary on current status of MIG-31 fleet and Russian
air interceptors) (strategypage.com)
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(Dec 17) New
Ukrainian head of Defense Council says Ukraine must create one of Europe’s
most powerful army’s, and that the war won’t end until all of Ukraine is
freed (SPUTNIK)
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UNITED
KINGDOM
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IRAQ
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NO UPDATES
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UNITED STATES
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AFGHANISTAN
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·
(Dec 19) Afghanistan’s
future in doubt as US ends combat role (Commentary); current plan is to
maintain 9800 troops in Afghanistan after 2014, cut in half in 2016, then
end in 2017 (military.com)
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(Dec 12) 1st
Cavalry Division, 3rd Cavalry Regiment – KIA @ Parwan Province (DOD)
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IRAQ /
SYRIA
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(Dec 26) ISIS
governor of Mosul was killed in US led airstrikes (SPUTNIK)
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(Dec 20) US
approves $3 billion in sales to Iraq, including M1A1 tanks and logistics (SPUTNIK)
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(Dec 19)
8,000 Kurdish troops break ISIS siege of Mount Sinjar, hailed as the
largest operation versus ISIS, and most successful (SPUTNIK)
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(Dec 19) US
says several senior and mid-level leaders in ISIS have been eliminated
since November (SPUTNIK)
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(Dec 19) US
82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade (1,000-troops)
will deploy to Iraq in January for 9-months to assist and train the Iraqi
army and Kurdish Peshmerga in their fight against ISIS, 300-troops from
USAF, Army and USMC will also deploy as enablers, the plan is to train
9-Iraqi brigades and 3-Kurdish brigades at 4-sites in Iraq; the enablers
will be in Anbar and north of Baghdad (military.com)
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(Dec 17) US
troops defending Ein Al-Asad Base in Iraq battle ISIS fighters for first
time, using aircraft to silence ISIS heavy weapons, and defeating them in
3-hours (inquisitr.com)
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(Dec 17)
pro-western Al Yarmouk Syrian rebels join ISIS, hold border with Syria and
Israel/ Golan and Jordan (DEBKA)
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JAPAN
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(Dec 26) US
Army deploys second AN/TPY-2 radar system to central Kyoto in Japan to
augment missile defenses in Asia and for the homeland, and will be used by
US Pacific Command and US Northern Command (SPUTNIK)
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