USS Ross pierside in Istanbul, Turkey. US Navy Photo
The guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG-71) has departed Istanbul bound for its homeport after completing operations in the Black Sea, Navy officials told USNI News on Thursday. Read More
Three U.S. Navy sailors assigned to guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG-71) were allegedly assaulted by Turkish youth during liberty in Istanbul on Wednesday, the service confirmed following a release of the video on the Internet. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
This post has been updated to include a quote from French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
Russia is willing to wait until the end of the year for France to make good on the delivery of the first ship in two hull amphibious warship deal that has been held up since September, according to a Thursday report in Russian news service RIA Novosti. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
A Wednesday tweet from Russia’s outspoken deputy prime minister — setting the date for France’s delivery of a Mistral-class amphibious warship to Russia — has raised questions over the final fate of the two-ship $1.53 billion deal. Read More
USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) participates in a passing exercise with vessels from the Georgian coast guard in the Black Sea on Oct. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) has left the Black Sea after several port calls with allies in the region, according to a Tuesday release from U.S. 6th Fleet. Read More
Farmland in Ukraine. Photo via Reuters
The surprising winner in the turmoil engulfing Ukraine is turning out to be China, a top U.S. expert on Central Europe and Russia said on Monday. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
Despite strong language from the French President François Hollande, Russia has not received formal notification from France suspending or cancelling the $1.53 billion deal for two Mistral-class amphibious warship deal, Russian officials said on Tuesday. Read More
USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) in 2011. US Military Sea Lift Command Photo
The U.S. command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) entered the Black Sea on Saturday — a day after guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG-67) — bringing the total of American naval ships in the region to two, according on a release from U.S. 6th Fleet. Read More
USS Cole (DDG-67) makes preparations for getting underway after a scheduled port visit to Haifa, Israel on Sept. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. is sending the guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG-67)into the Black Sea on Friday as part of an ongoing presence mission in the region since Russia seized the Crimea region of Ukraine in March. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
The September decision by France to withhold delivery of two Mistral-class Landing Platforms Helicopter (LPH) building for Russia is an opportunity for NATO, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and for the French shipbuilding industry and economy. France should not suffer economically for taking a stand against Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine. Rather, NATO, France and Canada can benefit if a little mutually beneficial creativity is applied.
While France desperately wants to complete the two amphibious warships — and get paid for them — NATO and Canada need the capabilities these ships can provide. Read More
