Before SNMG-2 returned to the Mediterranean the command of the Operation Ocean Shield, NATO's counter piracy mission was handed over to the SNMG-1. The handover ceremony was done in Jeddah Saudi Arabia. This is a surprise as I did not know that Saudi Arabia supported the NATO operations, even covertly. Commodore Ben Bekkering (Royal Netherlands Navy), assumed command... Continue Reading →
SNMG2 Operational Handover In Turkey
Today, Turkish Navy will pass the command of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 to German Navy for a period of one year. Turkey took the command of SNMG -2 last year in Aksaz Naval Base in Marmaris Turkey. For the first half of the tenure, during the task forces' Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic and North Sea... Continue Reading →
Why Turkey Rejected UK’s Global Combat Ship
Well, marketing is not selling. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the contractor BAE paid a high price to learn this elementary lesson in selling. Actually they did a good marketing campaign to gain favor among Turkish decision makers. BAE attended every important defence related exhibition in 2011. During these events the representatives of... Continue Reading →
TCSG Umut On Builders Trials
If I had arrived 10 minutes earlier, I would be able to take a better photo of TCSG Umut from the broadside showing more of the ship; instead I have this photo taken at the large end of my telephoto lens and cropped at %100 size. TCSG Umut is the third ship of the class was... Continue Reading →
TCG Preveze Performed The Longest Submerged Cruise Of Turkish Silent Service
In the 2011 Annual Report of the Turkish Defence Ministry it was stated that the Turkish submarine S-353 TCG Preveze stayed continuously submerged for consecutive 32 days during the Operation Unified Protector. This 32 days of submerged operation of TCG Preveze is a new record for the Turkish silent service. According to Jane's Fighting Ships the Type 209 class submarines have an endurance of 50... Continue Reading →
A Hundred Years Old Mine Was Found In Didim
On 31st May 2012, an old and rusty mine was found in a popular beach in Didim, Aydın. A swimmer notified the local police about an odd-shaped rusty metal object laying on the sea floor after she/he injured her/his feed by it. The local police turned to the coast guard for help. Eventually the Navy... Continue Reading →
Aerial Reconnaissance
This is a photo of F-512 TCG Büyükada the second ship of Milgem Class, taken from an airplane window. She was launched on 27th September 2012. Since then she is being fitted in Istanbul Naval Shipyard. The construction seems to be focused on the forecastle and on the flight deck. There is a scaffolding around the mast. Judging the state of her construction she might be ready... Continue Reading →
TCG Gemlik Departed To Join CTF-151
F-492 TCG Gemlik a Gabya class frigate, left her home port Aksaz, Marmaris today for a six month deployment in the Gulf of Aden. According to the official statement made by Turkish Navy, TCG Gemlik will stay in the region till December 2012 and participate in anti piracy efforts with the Combined Task Force-CTF-151. One S-70B Seahawk helicopter and two naval... Continue Reading →
Russian Destroyer Smetlivy Returned Home
On 30th May 2012, the Russian Kashin class destroyer Smetlivy returned from her deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean. She was send to the region to show Russian support to the Syrian regime and to show flag. As this photo shows there was less smoke on the water this time.
SNMCMG-2 Conducted Exercise With Italian Navy
According to NATO, the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) ended its participation in Italian Minex 12, an annual exercise directed by the Italian Navy MCM Forces Command The Exercise Started on 14th May and ended on 28th May, involved 14 naval units from Italy and SNMCMG2 as well as bomb-disposal specialists from... Continue Reading →
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