19 May 2016 1 Comment
TCG Pirireis in Istanbul during a naval parade. This photo was taken between 1998 and 2003. She was decommissioned in 2004 and serves as a museum today.
19th May 1919, is regarded as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence. We thank those who gave their lives to free our homeland from occupation.
12 May 2016 1 Comment
HMS Illustrious in Istanbul on 16 May 2008. Note the near loss of one Merlin HM Mk2 as the brakes malfunctioned. She was the host of Queen Elisabeth’s reception. HMS Illustrious was decommissioned in 2014 and currently is for sale.
5 May 2016 1 Comment
HMCS Gatineau in Istanbul on 29th October 1992. She was Canada’s contribution to NATO’s STANAVFORLANT. She was decommissioned in 1998 and scrapped in 2009.
28 Apr 2016 1 Comment
USS Thorn in Istanbul, in an undated photo. It must be late 1990’s. She was decommissioned in 2004 and sunk as target in 2006.
21 Apr 2016
HMS Cardiff during her visit to Istanbul on 23rd November 1998. Note the added Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS systems installed after The Falkland War. Ironically her final destination was a scrapyard in Turkey in 2005.
14 Apr 2016
The Spanish aircraft carrier ESPS Prince of Asturias in her glory days. This photo is taken during her visit to Istanbul on 11th November 1992. She was decommissioned in 2003.
17 Dec 2015
The Mexican Navy sail ship ARM Cuauhtémoc was in Istanbul in August for a port visit.
Now there is a nice video made during her by the musician Mr. Serdar Ateşer. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I do.
23 Sep 2014
Today we have witnessed a procession of different types of Turkish warships and a submarine to the Black Sea:
Y-36 TCG Meseha-2. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
P-1200 TCG Tuzla. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
A-587 TCG Gazal. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
A-595 TCG Yarbay Kudret Güngör. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
A-595 TCG Yarbay Kudret Güngör. Photo: Kerim Bozkurt. Used with permission.
An unnamed 209 Type 1400 class submarine.
Ç-140 TCG Ç-140. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
P-333 TCG Tufan. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
P-330 TCG Kılıç. Photo: Yörük Işık. Used with permission.
While the reason(s) for their deployment to the Black Sea has not been public, it is safe to assume that some of them may engage with SNMG-2 ships still in the Black Sea.
The below text is from the official statement from NATO with an emphasize of mine:
Varna, Bulgaria – Last weekend from 19 till 22 September 2014, the two ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) Task Unit TWO (TU.02) stayed in Varna for a scheduled port visit during their deployment to the Black Sea.
Led by Commander Jason Armstrong (Royal Canadian Navy), SNMG2 TU.02 is currently composed of HMCS TORONTO (Royal Canadian Navy) and SPS AMIRALTE JUAN de BORBON (Spanish Navy).
SNMG2 is visiting the port as part of the Group’s deployment to the Black Sea to enhance maritime security and NATO’s readiness in the region.
“This visit has been planned for quite some time, and in light of current events it; has become all the more significant,” said Commander Jason Armstrong, Commander SNMG2 TU.02. “We are delighted to come and train together, eager to enhance our mutual understanding, and eager to bring a strong message to Bulgarian people and to all Allied Nations regarding NATO’s resolve and commitment to collective defence.
”In conjunction with the port visit, Commander NATO Allied Maritime Command, Vice Admiral Hudson will visit with the Bulgarian Minister of Defence, Dr. Velizar Shalamanov, and Bulgarian Navy leaders to discuss maritime security and other issues of shared interest.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the Bulgarian Navy for their support in making this visit possible.” said Vice Admiral Hudson. “While this deployment to the Black Sea is reflective of our naval forces’ regular activities, it is also part of a broader set of military measures agreed upon by NATO’s highest political body, the North Atlantic Council, to reinforce our collective defence and demonstrate the strength of Allied solidarity.”
During the remainder of its deployment in the Black Sea, SNMG2 TU.02 will engage with ships and aircraft of the Bulgarian Navy and air and naval units from Turkey.
6 Aug 2014
On 5 August 2014, P-305 TCG Ağ-5 was seen passing through Bosphorus…
… while towing a target barge…
…which had a few holes in it.
I have witnessed the northbound passage of the veteran boom defence ship TCG Ağ-5 through Bosphorus. In the age of long ranged ammunition the boom defence vessels are more or less useless for their original purpose. Thus TCG Ağ-5 is mainly used as a tug or buoy tender.
Yesterday she was towing a target barge with a multiple hits on it. I have no idea who shoot at it and where but someone had at least 3 hits on it.
3 Aug 2014
This is Gearing class destroyer D-346 TCG Alçıtepe. She started her life in 1943 as USS Robert A. Owens. She served in USN until 16 February 1982 and transferred to Turkish Navy on the same day. She served in Turkish Navy for another 16 years. She was decommissioned in 1998. This photo was taken in 1989.
turkishnavy.net 