Royal New Zealand Navy – On antiterrorism patrol in the Gulf.

• Nzoom: Frigate Te Mana rescues Iranians

US Navy – The US may keep the aircraft carrier USS Constellation in commission, rathering than retiring it.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Constellation may be in service longer

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy’s nuclear attack submarines will be trimmed according to a new defense white paper.

• The Scotsman: More smart weapons as MoD plans for post Gulf war era

Background – Transformation – Thomas Ricks says the Secretary of Defense, emboldened by the swift US victory in Iraq, is ready to try to transform the military – again.

• Washington Post: Rumsfeld Stands Tall After Iraq Victory

History – A history of the end of the last Royal Yacht, HMS Britannia.

• Daily Telegraph: Queen blamed Major for royal yacht fiasco

History – A review of Operational El Dorado Canyon against Libya in 1986.

• SeaPower: Swift and Effective Retribution