The Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association (HKSOA) has released what is described as “a furious statement” condemning the current organizational construct and tactical practices employed by naval forces to prevent piratical activities off the Horn of Africa. They accuse the international community of “tolerating piracy instead of eliminating attacks” and “sending […]
tactics
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An article by Thom Shanker in New York Times on 12 January contains essential new information about how U.S. Marine Lieutenant General. Paul K. Van Riper, acting as the ‘enemy’ force commander during the Millennium Challenge 2002 war game, inflicted a major defeat on ‘friendly’ forces in a Middle Eastern […]
A recent report in the U.K. press describes the return of RN warships to the northern Arabian Gulf following the capture of 15 British sailors and marines in a ‘swarming’ attack by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval forces on 23 March. This time, boats from HMS Richmond F-239 (a 436-foot […]
Retired British General Sir Michael Rose believes that the Iraq War has, among other things, "destroyed the trust between civilian society and its armed forces." Specific to the Royal Navy, Rose said "the Navy is no longer fit for modern warfare" and "the captured sailors and marines displayed a woeful […]
I have a very hard time understanding how and why HMS Cornwall, with the task force commander embarked, allowed her boats to be surrounded or cut off from herself. My understanding, from a former trainer of Canadian naval boarding parties, is that our protocol is that the frigate or mother […]
Today's Navy Times (28 March) has an article that reports 'swarming tactics' were used by Iranian forces when they captured fifteen Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel on Friday. Their use of this tactic should come as no surprise, and yet that appears to have been exactly the case. In […]