8 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2009
● Indian frigate INS Talwar
exercising with HMS Portland
off Mumbai
● LS(AWT) Stevie Toogood on the quarterdeck shouts to members
of his team on the fl ight deck as HMS Portland enters Goa
All systems Goa
ALL work and no play would make Jack “I found the ship’s company focused,
very dull indeed – and would not do much
professional and upbeat. Well done.”
for our pages, either.
During their brief stay in the city members
So the latest leg of HMS Portland’s
of the ship’s company visited tourist attractions,
deployment east of Suez provided some pretty
particularly the Gateway to India on the
hard work as well as the chance for sailors
waterfront and Elephant Island.
to let their hair down, all in pretty short
But any disappointment at leaving
order.
Mumbai would probably have been
First the hard work – two days of
assuaged by the fact that 24 hours later
exercises with Indian frigate INS Talwar
the Type 23 warship was easing her way
(not forgetting RFA Wave Knight, of
into the port of Mormugao in Goa for
course) as the British ships steamed
a chance to unwind.
for Mumbai.
Members of the crew were able
The little flotilla carried out
to enjoy a couple of days ashore
a profusion of drills and serials
in the numerous hotels and B&Bs
including Officer of the Watch
along the coast of the tropical
manoeuvres, medium-range gun
paradise.
firings, cross-deck flying sorties,
While in Goa the ship officially
boarding demonstrations, personnel
supported the Chief of Staff
exchanges and maritime interdiction
(Aviation), Rear Admiral Simon
operations (MIO) training.
Charlier, who used the opportunity of an
Not surprisingly, considering the common
evening reception on board to host his Indian
ancestry of the two navies, the exercises were
Navy counterpart and a number of other VIPs.
deemed a great success, and helped both parties
Portland’s Commanding Officer, Cdr
prove their ability to operate with allied nations.
Tim Henry, said: “These recent visits have
On arrival in Mumbai the emphasis was
demonstrated our versatility as we operate with
on formality and preparations for a visit by
regional partners and coalition allies.
Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Mark
“My ship’s company continues to show its
Stanhope, for whom Portland acted as flagship
breadth and depth of skills as they switch
during part of his trip to the subcontinent.
seamlessly between our core operational
The frigate hosted a reception and a dinner for
mission and those rarely-exercised but crucial
16 senior guests, including the British Deputy
engagement tasks.
High Commissioner, senior Indian businessmen
“Acting as the flagship for the Commander-
and admirals from the Indian Navy.
in-Chief has been a singular privilege for all in
While on board Admiral Stanhope, who takes
Portland and the opportunity to exercise and
over as First Sea Lord later this year, toured the
train with the Indian Navy is a rare honour which
ship and talked to sailors.
we will remember for some time to come.
“The visit has greatly assisted the objective
“After this break from the action, Portland is
of enhancing the UK’s links and relationships
raring to return to the fray.”
with the Indian Navy and wider business
● AB(Sea) ‘Burt’ Reynolds enjoys a joke whilst
community,” said Admiral Stanhope.
hoisting the Jack as Portland enters Goa
Pictures: LA(Phot) Alex Cave
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● Logs (CS(D)) Kayleigh ‘Flash’ Gordan and LET(WE) ‘Jasper’ Scarrat cool off with an unnamed inmate (Jumbo? – Ed) at a spice plantation
in northern Goa
NEW 008_NN_may.indd 1 22/4/09 17:54:13
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