The Sinking Of Ex-USS Duncan

6 Oct 2017 2 Comments

A Mk-24 Mod. 2 Tigerfish hits ex-USS Duncan. Photo: Turkish Naval Forces.

Ex-US Navy frigate Duncan has found her watery grave after all.

She was bought from US Navy as a spare part source for the 8 existing Gabya class frigates in service, a procedure also known as cannibalization.

The hull of Duncan was observed being towed through Istanbul towards the Black Sea on 22nd March 2017.

At that time, it was speculated that she would be sunk as a target during the coming naval exercise Deniz Yıldızı as the markings on the hull left nothing to the imagination. She somehow survived the exercise that was held between 29th March and 9th April.

According to Turkish Navy, ex-USS Duncan was sunk in the Black Sea on 4th October 2017, by a Mk-24 Mod. 2 Tigerfish torpedo, fired from TCG Sakarya, a Preveze class submarine.

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The First And Final Passage Of Ex USS Duncan Through Bosphorus

26 Mar 2017 7 Comments

3 navy tugs are pulling the hull of ex USS Duncan against the current towards Black Sea. Just a shell of the former frigate is left.

The effects of cannibalization can be better seen in this photo.

Perry class frigate USS Duncan was the first ship of this class to be decommissioned active service. She was striken from US Navy service on 5 January 1998. In May 1999 she was sold to Turkish Navy. She has never entered in to service therefore she doesn’t have a Turkish name. She was used as spare part source, to keep other ship working. This practice is lovingly called cannibalization. And you can see the effects of it on the hull of USS Duncan in above photos.

TCG İnebolu, TCG Özgür and TCG Darıca, three Turkish Navy tugs, towed the hull of ex USS Duncan through Istanbul northbound, on 22 March 2017. Since there are no scrap yards along the Black Sea coast of Turkey, this journey is not going to end at one scrapyard.

The markings on the hull of the former frigate are consistent with a live firing test. A few days after the passage of ex USS Duncan it was announced that she was going to be used as a target during the Deniz Yıldızı annual naval exercise.

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HMS Duncan Ended Her Black Sea Visit

15 Nov 2015

CDY_1516

HMS Duncan heads to the Mediterranean Sea. TCSG-312 passes by.

Royal Navy warship HMS Duncan made an official visit to Romania between 8 and 11 November 2015.

HMS Duncan entered the Black Sea on 7 November and exited on 15 November.

The visit of HMS Duncan to Constanta, Romania was not just a cordial visit. The Embassy of the United Kingdom and Great Britain and Northern Ireland in collaboration with the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organization organized 9 November on Board of HMS Duncan an exhibition promoting British defence industry technologies.

During the event UK Ambassador Paul Brummell thanked the 13 UK companies participating the event and emphasised that UK companies can provide technology and products that may help Romania to fulfil its ambitious plan to modernise its navy.

Romanian Navy currently operates two Royal Navy Type 22 frigates ROS Regina Maria (ex London) and ROS Regele Ferdinand (ex Coventry). These ships were overhauled in UK before their delivery to Romania in 2003 -2004 period. But further upgrade is needed. Armed with only guns and torpedoes these ships lack long-range offensive weapons and adequate air defence systems.

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HMS Duncan In Çanakkale

22 Mar 2015 2 Comments

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The last of the Type 45 class destroyers, HMS Duncan made a port visit in Çanakkale during the 18 March Naval Victory Commemorations. I do not know her exact arrival and departure dates but she was there on 17, 18 and 19 March.

She was commissioned in 2013 and left UK for her  maiden deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East on 2 March 2015.

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Foreign Warships On Bosphorus in 2019

31 Dec 2018

List of foreign warship movements through Turkish Straits in 2019. Last updated: 29.12.2019

Date Number Name Direction Nationality Fleet
29.12.2019 626 Vitze Admiral Kulakov Northbound Russia Northern
28.12.2019 71 Ross Southbound USA
27.12.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
24.12.2019 055 Marshal Ustinov Northbound Russia Northern
23.12.2019 499 Admiral Makarov Northbound Russia Black Sea
21.12.2019 490 Admiral Essen Southbound Russia Black Sea
15.12.2019 71 Ross Northbound USA
13.12.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Northbound Russia
13.12.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
13.12.2019 148 Orsk Southbound Russia Black Sea
12.12.2019 SB-739 SB-739 Northbound Russia Black Sea
12.12.2019 368 Vasily Bikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
11.12.2019 310 Perekop Southbound Russia
8.12.2019 F-796 Commandant Birot Southbound France
7.12.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
5.12.2019 310 Perekop Northbound Russia
4.12.2019 Novorossiysk Northbound Russia Black Sea
3.12.2019 516 Shabla Northbound Bulgaria
30.11.2019 531 Kavarna Southbound Bulgaria
29.11.2019 Ivan Khurs Southbound Russia Black Sea
28.11.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Southbound Russia
24.11.2019 Donuzlav Northbound Russia Black Sea
23.11.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
22.11.2019 42 Verni Northbound Bulgaria
22.11.2019 F-221 Regele Ferdinand Northbound Romania
21.11.2019 Shakhter Southbound Russia Black Sea
19.11.2019 769 Commandant Birot Northbound France
14.11.2019 PM-138 PM-138 Northbound Russia Black Sea
14.11.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
6.11.2019 M-32 Sella Southbound Spain SNMCMG-2
6.11.2019 M-5557 Numana Southbound Italy SNMCMG-2
6.11.2019 A-5329 Vesuvio Southbound Italy SNMCMG-2
5.11.2019 368 Vasily Bikov Southbound Russia Black Sea
5.11.2019 SB-739 SB-739 Southbound Russia Black Sea
4.11.2019 MB-304 MB-304 Southbound Russia
3.11.2019 MB-304 MB-304 Northbound Russia Black Sea
3.11.2019 913 Kovrovets Northbound Russia Black Sea
3.11.2019 841 Suvorovets Northbound Russia
29.10.2019 72 Porter Southbound USA
27.10.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
24.10.2019 368 Vasily Bykov Northbound Russia Black Sea
21.10.2019 M-32 Sella Northbound Spain SNMCMG-2
21.10.2019 M-5557 Numana Northbound Italy SNMCMG-2
21.10.2019 A-5329 Vesuvio Northbound Italy SNMCMG-2
21.10.2019 Capt. Cdor. Alexandru Catuneanu Northbound Romania
19.10.2019 41 Verni Southbound Bulgaria
19.10.2019 F-221 Regele Ferdinand Southbound Romania
16.10.2019 368 Vasily Bykov Southbound Russia Black Sea
15.10.2019 837 Kinel Southbound Russia Black Sea
15.10.2019 MB-304 MB-304 Southbound Russia Black Sea
15.10.2019 770 Valentin Pikul Southbound Russia Black Sea
12.10.2019 72 Porter Northbound USA
4.10.2019 868 Pytlivy Northbound Russia Black Sea
3.10.2019 Capt. Cdor. Alexandru Catuneanu Southbound Romania
25.09.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
24.09.2019 Admiral Makarov Southbound Russia Black Sea
23.09.2019 8 Yuma Southbound USA
14.09.2019 8 Yuma Northbound USA
10.09.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
8.09.2019 Professor Nikolai Muru Northbound Russia Black Sea
6.09.2019 368 Vasily Bykov Northbound Russia Black Sea
6.09.2019 601 Ivan Antonov Northbound Russia Black Sea
6.09.2019 Shakter Northbound Russia Black Sea
2.09.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
25.08.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
24.08.2019 494 Admiral Grigorovich Northbound Russia Black Sea
22.08.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Southbound Russia Black Sea
20.08.2019 Donuzlav Southbound Russia Black Sea
2.9.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
25.8.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
24.8.2019 494 Admiral Grigorovich Northbound Russia Black Sea
22.8.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Southbound Russia Black Sea
20.8.2019 Donuzlav Southbound Russia Black Sea
16.8.2019 A-542 Nova Kahovka Northbound Ukraine
16.8.2019 A-541 Smila Northbound Ukraine
16.8.2019 A-540 Chigirin Northbound Ukraine
16.8.2019 78 Porter Southbound USA
16.8.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
12.8.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
10.8.2019 MB-304 Southbound Russia Black Sea
10.8.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Northbound Russia
9.8.2019 A-542 Nova Kahovka Southbound Ukraine
9.8.2019 A-541 Smila Southbound Ukraine
9.8.2019 A-540 Chigirin Southbound Ukraine
8.8.2019 78 Porter Northbound USA
5.8.2019 KIL-158 KIL-158 Northbound Russia Black Sea
5.8.2019 Mircea Northbound Romania
3.8.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Southbound Russia Black Sea
31.7.2019 A-5329 Vesuvio Southbound Italy SNMCMG-2
25.7.2019 310 Perekop Northbound Russia Baltic
23.7.2019 Shakter Southbound Russia Black Sea
23.7.2019 Dvinitsa Southbound Russia Black Sea
22.7.2019 A-759 Dupuy De Lome Southbound France
22.7.2019 M-645 Orion Southbound France SNMCMG-2
22.7.2019 8 Yuma Southbound USA
22.7.2019 P-70 Ypoploiarchos Grigoropoulos Southbound Greece
22.7.2019 148 Orsk Northbound Russia Black Sea
21.7.2019 SB-739 SB-739 Northbound Russia Black Sea
21.7.2019 908 Vitse-Admiral Zakharin Northbound Russia Black Sea
21.7.2019 333 Toronto Southbound Canada SNMG 2
15.7.2019 KIL-158 KIL-158 Southbound Russia Black Sea
14.7.2019 64 Carney Southbound Russia Black Sea
13.7.2019 868 Pytlivy Southbound Russia Black Sea
13.7.2019 PM-56 PM-56 Northbound Russia Black Sea
13.7.2019 8 Yuma Northbound USA
12.7.2019 D-37 Duncan Southbound UK SNMG 2
11.7.2019 A-5329 Vesuvio Northbound Italy SNMCMG-2
11.7.2019 M-645 Orion Northbound France SNMCMG-2
10.7.2019 P-70 Ypoploiarchos Grigoropoulos Northbound Greece
9.7.2019 MAI-1101 MAI-1101 Northbound Romania
6.7.2019 913 Kovrovets Southbound Russia Black Sea
6.7.2019 MB-304 MB-304 Southbound Russia Black Sea
4.7.2019 Professor Nikolai Muru Southbound Russia Black Sea
4.7.2019 148 Orsk Southbound Russia Black Sea
3.7.2019 A-759 Dupuy De Lome Northbound France
2.7.2019 8 Yuma Southbound USA
2.7.2019 D-37 Duncan Northbound UK SNMG 2
2.7.2019 333 Toronto Northbound Canada SNMG 2
30.6.2019 PM-138 PM-138 Southbound Russia Black Sea
29.6.2019 64 Carney Northbound USA 6th Fleet
29.6.2019 Ivan Bubnov Southbound Russia Black Sea
28.6.2019 8 Yuma Northbound USA MSC
28.6.2019 MAI-1104 MAI-1104 Southbound Romania
23.6.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
23.6.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
19.6.2019 626 Orekhovo-Zuevo Northbound Russia Black Sea
14.6.2019 SSV-201 Priazove Northbound Russia Black Sea
13.6.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Southbound Russia Black Sea
13.6.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
11.6.2019 651 Veliki Ustyug Southbound Russia Caspian Sea
11.6.2019 368 Vasiliy Bykov Southbound Russia Black Sea
6.6.2019 Kildin Southbound Russia Black Sea
28.5.2019 KIL-158 Northbound Russia Black Sea
26.5.2019 148 Orsk Northbound Russia Black Sea
24.5.2019 841 Suvorovets Southbound Russia Black Sea
24.5.2019 SB-739 SB-739 Southbound Russia Black Sea
10.5.2019 H-87 HMS Echo Southbound UK
6.5.2019 Mircea Southbound Romania
3.5.2019 490 Admiral Essen Northbound Russia Black Sea
2.5.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Southbound Russia Black Sea
1.5.2019 Kolpino Northbound Russia Black Sea
1.5.2019 SB-739 SB-739 Northbound Russia Black Sea
29.4.2019 KIL-158 Southbound Russia Black Sea
29.4.2019 MB-31 MB-31 Northbound Russia Black Sea
29.4.2019 911 Ivan Golubets Northbound Russia Black Sea
28.4.2019 71 Ross Southbound USA
26.4.2019 148 Orsk Southbound Russia Black Sea
25.4.2019 Stary Oskol Southbound Russia Black Sea
21.4.2019 494 Admiral Grigorovich Southbound Russia Black Sea
19.4.2019 H-87 Echo Northbound UK
17.4.2019 333 Toronto Southbound Canada SNMG-2
17.4.2019 F-805 Evertsen Southbound Netherlands SNMG-2
14.4.2019 71 Ross Northbound USA
13.4.2019 P-71 Ritsos Southbound Greece
6.4.2019 908 Vitse-Admiral Zakharin Southbound Russia Black Sea
6.4.2019 SB-739 SB-739 Southbound Russia Black Sea
6.4.2019 148 Orsk Northbound Russia Black Sea
5.3.2019 P-71 Ritsos Northbound Greece
4.4.2019 F-82 Santa Maria Southbound Spain SNMG-2
30.3.2019 M-653 Capricorne Southbound France
29.3.2019 MAI-1101 MAI-1101 Southbound Romania
28.3.2019 333 Toronto Northbound Canada SNMG-2
28.3.2019 F-81 Santa Maria Northbound Spain SNMG-2
28.3.2019 F-805 Eversten Northbound Netherlands SNMG-2
27.3.2019 Veliky Novgorod Northbound Russia Black Sea
26.3.2019 626 Orekhovo-Zuevo Southbound Russia Black Sea
26.3.2019 Iman Northbound Russia
26.3.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Northbound Russia
25.3.2019 Alexandru Cătuneanu Northbound Romania
22.3.2019 148 Orsk Southbound Russia Black Sea
21.3.2019 M-653 Capricorne Northbound France
15.3.2019 619 Severomorsk Southbound Russia Northern
14.3.2019 Krasnodar Southbound Russia Black Sea
11.3.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Southbound Russia Black Sea
11.3.2019 Alexandru Cătuneanu Southbound Romania Black Sea
10.3.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
9.3.2019 M-36 Tajo Southbound Spain SNMCMG-2
9.3.2019 A-514 Werra Southbound Germany SNMCMG-2
4.3.2019 499 Admiral Makarov Northbound Russia Black Sea
3.3.2019 M-36 Tajo Northbound Spain SNMCMG-2
1.3.2019 75 Donald Cook Southbound USA
1.3.2019 490 Admiral Essen Southbound Russia Black Sea
28.2.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
20.2.2019 151 Azov Northbound Russia Black Sea
20.2.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
19.2.2019 75 Donald Cook Northbound USA
19.2.2019 A-514 Werra Northbound Germany SNMCMG-2
7.2.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Northbound Russia
6.2.2019 151 Azov Southbound Russia Black Sea
6.2.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Southbound Russia Black Sea
1.2.2019 511 Pomorie Northbound Bulgaria
28.1.2019 75 Donald Cook Southbound USA
23.1.2019 Dvinitsa-50 Southbound Russia
21.1.2019 PM-56 PM-56 Southbound Russia Black Sea
19.1.2019 75 Donald Cook Northbound USA
11.1.2019 43 Fort McHenry Southbound USA
9.1.2019 619 Severomorsk Northbound Russia Northern
8.1.2019 158 Tsezar Kunikov Northbound Russia Black Sea
6.1.2019 43 Fort McHenry Northbound USA
2.1.2019 H-87 Echo Southbound UK

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Turkish Navy Conducted The Second SINKEX In 2018

21 Oct 2018

The Turkish Navy conducted another sinking exercise SINKEX last week on 17th October. This is the second SINKEX Turkish Navy has conducted in 2018 and the third, in the last 12 months.

This exercise was not previously announced. But it was anticipated since the decommissioned navy tanker ex- TCG Taşkızak was observed being towed to the Black Sea on 16th October 2018. The previous sinking exercises were also conducted in the Black Sea. The tanker sunk in 5 minutes 36 seconds after the impact of the torpedo.

This yet unidentified Ay class submarine seen here sailing southbound through
Istanbul on 19th October 2018 was most probably the submarine that fired the torpedo that sunk the ex- TCG Taşkızak during the SINEX.

 

The short video of the exercise, shows an unguided torpedo being fired from an Ay class submarine. The torpedo seems shorter than contemporary modern torpedos and does not have a guidance wire. Therefore I believe it was an Mk-37 torpedo.

 

Filed under Black Sea, Exercise, Turkish Navy Tagged with , , ,

Turkish Navy Conducts Another SINKEX

14 Jun 2018 2 Comments

Turkish Navy disposed of another decommissioned warship by sending it to the Davy Jones’ Locker with a big bang.

Ay class submarine TCG Yıldıray commissioned in service in 1981, sunk the decommissioned tanker TCG Sadettin Gürcan. She was decommissioned in November 2016, after 46 years of service.

The ship was named after Lieutenant Commander Sadettin Gürcan the commander of the submarine TCG Atılay. This submarine was lost with all hands in July 1942 as she hit submerged an old naval mine from First World War off Dardanelles Strait.

The decommissioned tanker was observed being towed towards to the Black Sea in February 2018. She had markings painted on her bow were consistent with previous targets towed to the Black Sea.

According to unconfirmed reports, the torpedo fires from TCG Yıldıray was an SST-4 Mod 0.

Just 8 months ago, in October 2017 Turkish Navy conducted another SINKEX in the Black Sea. In that exercise, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class hull, ex-USS Duncan was sunk by an Mk-24 Mod. 2 Tigerfish torpedo.

On 11th June 2018, two Ay class submarines were observed sailing towards the Black Sea. One of them is TCG Yıldıray. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to tell you which is which but here are the photos of the two submarines:

Filed under Black Sea, Exercise, Turkish Navy Tagged with , , , ,

Dynamic Manta 2018 Starts Tomorrow

4 Mar 2018

TCG Gaziantep takes part in Dynamic Manta 2018. Here is a photo of her from February 2018 as she was passing through Istanbul with SNMG-2.

NATO’s Submarine Warfare Exercise Dynamic Manta 2018 kicks off tomorrow, off the Sicilian coast, with ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from 10 Allied nations.

According to NATO press release submarines surface units and ASW planes and helicopters from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the United States, under the control of Commander, Submarines NATO (COMSUBNATO) taking part in the annual exercise.

Altogether 6 submarines, 9 ships, 10 ASW planes and 10 helicopters will try to hone their skill in anti-submarine warfare.

The aim of this exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills, with due regard for safety.

Below is the complete list of the participant:

Number Name Type Country
F-931 BNS Louise Marie Frigate Belgium
340 HMCS Windsor Submarine Canada
D-653 FS Languedoc Frigate France
F-450 HS Elli Frigate Greece
S-122 HS Matrozos Submarine Greece
S-73 ESPS Mistral Submarine Spain
F-82 ESPS Victoria Frigate Spain
F-105 ESPS Cristobal Colon Frigate Spain
S-353 TCG Preveze Submarine Turkey
F-490 TCG Gaziantep Frigate Turkey
D-37 HMS Duncan Destroyer UK
SSN 785 USS John Warner Submarine USA
S-529 ITS Romeo Romei Submarine Italy
58 USS Laboon Destroyer USA
F-593 ITS Carabiniere Frigate Italy

Click here for reports on previous Noble Manta exercises.

Filed under Exercise, Mediterranean, NATO Tagged with , , , , ,

NATO Task Forces Arrive In Bulgarian Ports

11 Feb 2018 2 Comments

Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand (left) and Turkish frigate TCG Gaziantep (right). The mast of the HMS Duncan is visible at the background. Photo: BTA

After meeting up in Constanta, Romania last week, the both UK led NATO maritime task forces  SNMG-2 and SNMCMG-2 have arrived in Bulgaria.

The mine countermeasure warfare task force made a port call in Burgas while the naval task force arrived in Varna.

Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group Two (SNMCMG2), under the command of Royal Navy Commander Justin Hains, will depart from Burgas on 11th February. The task group consists of the Romanian minesweeper ROS Lupu Dinescu, Turkish mine hunter M-270 TCG Akçay and  H-88 HMS Enterprise the flagship of the task force.

Standing NATO Group Two (SNMG2), under the command of Royal Navy Commodore Mike Utley OBE, will depart from Varna on 11th February. The task group consists of the Romanian frigate F-221 ROS Regele Ferdinand, Turkish frigate F-490 TCG Gaziantep and D-37 HMS Duncan the flagship of the task force.

Filed under Black Sea, NATO Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Like A Lamb to The Slaughter

9 Feb 2018 3 Comments

On 8th February 2018, three Turkish Navy tugs towed the hulk of an old tanker ex- TCG Bnb. Sadettin Gürcan to the Black Sea.

The tanker was named after the commander of the submarine TCG Atılay that sunk with all hands in 1942. She hit a mine while submerged and never resurfaced.

The tanker was laid down at Gölcük Naval Shipyard in 1968 and commissioned in 1970. She served till 2016.

As there are no shipbreakers in the Black Sea and the markings on the hull of ex- TCG Bnb. Sadettin Gürcan is consistent with a target, she will be used in a sinking exercise.

Filed under Bosphorus, Turkish Navy Tagged with , , ,

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