Tag Archives: FREMM-class frigate

Why, hello there, Mr. Browning

The below NATO image shows the Hellenic Navy Elli-class (Dutch Kortenaer-class) frigate Adrias (F-459) in a passing exercise Italian Carlo Bergamini-class (FREMM-class) frigate Virginio Fasan (F591) northwest of Crete, on 3 June.

Of note, the Greek tin can has a WWII-era Browning M1919 light machine gun mounted just off the bridge wing.

Notably, the Greeks used U.S.-supplied M1919 after World War II, chambered in good ole .30-06 Springfield, alongside M1 Garands.

The “light” M1919A6 was 32.5 to 35 pounds depending on setup…but it was better than either the previously-issued Benet Mercie or the Chauchat. The model installed on the Greek frigate looks like pintle mounted M1919A4 models

The Greek Army largely replaced both with 7.62 NATO battle rifles (a blend of FN FALs, HK G3s, and M14s) and similarly-chambered GPMGs (FN MAG 58, MG3, M60) in the 1970s.

However, it looks like the old air-cooled .30-caliber Browning is still around in the Navy.

Manta tin cans in the Ionian Sea

You just can’t ask for a better international pack of greyhounds than this.

NATO Photo by FRAN WO Christian Valverde.

NATO Photo by FRAN WO Christian Valverde.

The image shows the Greek frigate Elli, French FREMM-class frigate FS Auvergne (D654), Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provincien-class frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805), Spanish Navy Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate Blas de Lezo (F-103), and the Turkish Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class (Gabya-class in Turkish service) frigate TCG Gelibolu (F-493)— ex-USS Reid (FFG-30).

They are a part of NATO Advanced Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Exercise Dynamic Manta19 started off the cost of Sicily last week. Including Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, ships and aircraft from Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Great Britain, and the U.S. are involved. A total of 5 submarines, 9 ASW surface ships, 6 MPAs and 11 Rotary Wing Aircraft (Helicopters) are slated to participate in this exercise through early March.

IONIAN SEA, Feb 25, 2019. NATO warships sail in formation while performing Dynamic Manta's Photo exercise. Dynamic Manta is an NATO Maritime Command-led exercise designed to sharpen the anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface ship warfare skills of the participating units. Dynamic Manta 2019 will be conducted in vicinity of Italy from 25 February to 8 March and include participants from 10 NATO Allies . Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States provide in total 5 submarines, 9 ASW surface ships, 6 MPAs and 11 Rotary Wing Aircraft (Helicopters) to participate in this exercise. NATO Photo by FRAN WO Christian Valverde.

Pretty sweet photo spread here