2 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2009
771 NAS/Commando Helicopter Force
HMS Dasher
HMS Pursuer
Taurus task force
HMS Brocklesby 3 Cdo Bde/Vikings/845 NAS/
846 NAS/847 NAS/Fleet FS(Air)
HMS Sabre/Scimitar
COMUKAMPHIBFOR/NaTT
HMS St Albans
HMS Northumberland
HMS Richmond
HMS Chiddingfold
HMS Pembroke
HMS Echo
RFA Cardigan Bay
RFA Wave Knight
HMS Portland
RFA Largs Bay
HMS Atherstone
HMS Grimsby
FASLANE
ROSYTH
RFA Diligence
HMS Gannet
800/801 NAS
RFA Black Rover
HMS Manchester
HMS Clyde
YEOVIL
TON
HMS Cornwall
Plus one ballistic missile submarine on patrol somewhere beneath the Seven Seas
CULDROSE PORTSMOUTH
DEVONPORT
Fleet Fleet FocusFocus
IT’S quite some time since the Mediterranean was the
focal point of the Fleet.
But this past month has seen major exercises in Cyprus and
Turkey (involving the Taurus 09 task group), NATO exercises for
HMS Brocklesby and HMS St Albans and a bit of pageantry for
the Royal Marines.
We’ll begin with Taurus in Akrotiri Bay – HM Ships Ocean and
Bulwark are the springboards for 40 Commando, escorted by
Argyll and Somerset while submarine HMS Talent provides the
below-the-surface shield and RFAs Mounts Bay, Lyme Bay,
Fort Austin and RFA Wave Ruler support the whole affair. See
pages 4 and 26-27 for a round-up.
Shields though Argyll, Somerset and Talent may be, they’re no
match for HMS Dasher. The ‘angry little bee’ made a nuisance
of herself to test the force’s response to a terrorist attack (see
page 4).
Before reaching Akrotiri Bay, elements of 40 Commando
could be found in Gibraltar celebrating their freedom of The Rock
(see right).
Also in the Med, but well away from the Taurus lot, is HMS
St Albans, lapping up the sights of Rome and Egypt with a NATO
task force (see page 10).
And in Sardinia... Minehunter HMS Brocklesby took part in
NATO exercises... and promptly found a live mine (see page 5).
Away from the Mediterranean, HMS Portland briefly
broke off anti-piracy duties in the Indian Ocean to join mine
countermeasures vessels Atherstone and Grimsby plus RFA
Diligence for a Pakistani-led international exercise and fleet
review (see page 8).
Grimsby and Atherstone are part of a four-strong mine warfare
force based in Bahrain with HMS Chiddingfold and Pembroke,
while two mainstays of the group – Blyth and Ramsey – have
returned to Blighty after 36 months away (see opposite).
Also home from the Gulf – and also blessed by glorious
weather for her return – was HMS Lancaster, back in Pompey
after 190 days away. Her place around Iraq’s oil platforms has
been taken by her Solent sister HMS Richmond (see opposite).
Britain’s oldest active warship – HMS Sceptre – is active again
after emerging from an overhaul... with a feeling of déjà vu (see
page 6), while HMS Trenchant is finally able to put her ‘feet’ up
after being on active duties for ten of the past 12 months (see
page 7).
The bravery of a string of fliers from Search and Rescue unit
HMS Gannet has been acknowledged with numerous operational
honours (see page 6). IT IS the only battle honour they
above by LA (Phot) Al Macleod) the narrow exceptionally hard preparing for the day,”
Colleagues from Gannet’s fellow SAR unit, 771 NAS, headed
bear on their legendary insignia.
streets, watched by large numbers of locals said their CO Maj Sean Brady. “Representing
inside the Arctic Circle to test their ability to operate in the
Of their countless battles from the shores of
despite the inclement weather. the Corps on such an occasion is a perfect
harshest of winter conditions (see page 5).
the Falklands to the grey waters of Jutland, the
The green berets were then treated to a
opportunity to pay our respects to Royal
It was obviously quite crowded in Norwegian skies for some
of the Commando Helicopter Force could also be found among
sands of Normandy, the steppe of Afghanistan,
public reception with one of their own – Lt Gen
Marines of the past and their exceptional
Sir Robert Fulton, Royal Marine and Governor
the fjords for Clockwork (see page 20).
the desert of Iraq, only ‘Gibraltar’ can be found
achievements. They continue to inspire us all.”
General of Gibraltar.
The bulk of the CHF is deployed in Afghanistan in support of
on the Globe and Laurel.
40 Cdo’s CO Lt Col Paul James added:
The following day – in rather brighter
3 Commando Brigade. A young pilot offers us an insight into
It is because of the marines – the prefi x Royal
“Gibraltar holds a hugely-important position
weather – Commandant General Royal Marines
the challenging helicopter mission (see pages 22-23). The task in
would not be added for another century – that
in our history. Every Royal Marine is acutely
Maj Gen Garry Robison revealed the memorial,
Helmand has, sadly, demanded more sacrifices from the ranks of
Gibraltar became British and stayed British.
a plinth embossed with a globe and laurel.
aware of the events of the early 18th Century
the brigade (see page 7).
And where those sailors from the sea
The commandos arrived in Gib courtesy
and the traditions they helped engender.”
HMS Albion has a fresh lick of paint of her hull – and makes an
came ashore on July 24 1704 a monument
of landing support ship RFA Mounts Bay
Among those marching through the hallowed
impressive sight in her dry dock in Devonport (see page 14)...
now stands, unveiled as part of a weekend of
which was taking them to the Mediterranean
streets of Gibraltar was 22-year-old Mne Andy
...But not as impressive as the austere beauty of the Falklands.
celebrations on The Rock to mark the overseas
and Far East on the Taurus 09 amphibious
Tipping.
We champion the work of the islands’ constant naval guardians,
territory’s unbreakable bond with the Corps.
deployment.
“All of us were proud to be a part of this
HMS Clyde and RFA Black Rover (see pages 24-25).
Gibraltarians awarded the Royal Marines the
The Norton Manor-based Royals used the
parade,” he said. “Every Royal Marine learns
And finally... happy 50th birthday to FOST, an experience every
freedom of The Rock 13 years ago. passage from Plymouth to Gibraltar to hone about the taking and holding of Gibraltar
sailor has perhaps endured rather than enjoyed. We look back at
On a wet late winter’s day in 2009, the their drill skills, making use of Mounts Bay’s during our training, so it’s been a great honour
the first half century (see pages 36-7).
men of 40 Commando exercised that honour sprawling fl ight deck in particular. to follow in the footsteps of our forebears.”
marching through Casemate Square (pictured “The marines of Alpha Company worked marina More from Taurus on pages 4, 26-7
■ NEWSDESK 023 9229 4228 ■ ADVERTISING 023 9272 5062 ■ BUSINESS 023 9229 1525
002_NN_Apr.indd 1 20/3/09 12:13:57
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58