NAVY NEWS, MAY 2009 9
Watch out,
Raider’s about
... AS HM Ships Kent and
Cumberland discovered during
some top-up training from FOST
in the Channel.
The two frigates bumped into
the P2000 off Plymouth as the
small patrol boat was heading
from Fowey to Torquay.
Raider – one of two souped up
P2000s, capable of around 25kts
instead of the more sedentary
14kts – broke off her passage
eastwards and joined in the Flag
Officer Sea Training exercises.
First, the boat played the part
of MV Helena Blue requiring
safe escort, running a pirate
gauntlet. Just for good measure,
as well as ‘dhows’, the boat and
her guardian Cumberland came
under air attack.
The fighting paused for
Sunday Service at sea – it was
Easter Day, after all.
Then it was time to play
the bad guy, attacking Kent
and Cumberland – the latter
was trying to protect an oil
platform (which bore an uncanny
resemblance to the Eddystone
Light).
After some stern warnings
from Kent to keep clear – all
of which were ignored by the
naughty Raider – the two ships
engaged each other; Kent fired
blanks, Raider responded with
water balloons.
... BUT now we’re home.
And LET(WE) Craig ‘Milo’ Garstang famous cathedral. On the way back to Devonport, there was The blanks won out and
HMS Argyll’s two-month attachment to
left all the weaponry behind and stepped on “I have been to Palma many times and a brief visit to Gibraltar for some work on Raider peeled away, before
the Taurus amphibious task group is over
to the bridge after winning a charity y fallen in love with the island – it’s one the frigate’s towed array sonar, enough work deciding to annoy Cumberland
with the frigate back in Devonport.
sweepstake (which raised £125 for orr of the most beautiful spots in the of th indeed to permit a Rock run. instead; this time the patrol craft
After exercises in Turkey (see pages 18-19)
the ship’ affiliated good causes) to o world,orld ” said Argyll’s CO. Twenty-five Argyllers set off on foot (plus played the part of a dhow which
the force split. So no Brunei, Singapore and
be captain for the day. As no doubt his ship’As s company one on a bike) for the 2.7-mile run to the refused to obey the rules around
other far eastern delights for Argyll.
It was a day which began badly discodis vered, in between diving, top of the imposing peak. the oil platform.
Still, Palma’s not a bad substitute.
(a – mock – fire in the hangar) golfing and shoppinggo , and ET(ME) Eddie ‘Whippet’ Waring was the “It’s been a great opportunity
The Type 23 (pictured above off Souda Bay
but got better for Milo, first perhaps the odd night out.p first of those on foot to stand 1,270ft above for us to provide support to
in Crete) spent six days enjoying a stand-off
as he hoisted the flag of his The six days’ relaxation in the the British Overseas Territory, 24m 55s
the front line, and it’s given my
in the Majorca tourist trap on the way home
beloved Tottenham Hotspur BalearB ics were well-deserved, after setting off from the quayside.
students an excellent opportunity
from Exercise Egemen.
FC, and later sat down with six says Cdr Olive. Argyll was joined by some friends and
to see the Royal Navy in action,”
The journey through the Med permitted
messmates to an evening meal “Taurus was the culmination family in Gib for the passage home to
said Raider’s CO Lt Adam
some unusual activities, not least a change
served by ‘Logs’ Olive. of sevof eral months’ hard work and Devonport, including LET Garstang’s
Riddett.
of command.
Back in charge, the reinstated d d training by mtraint y ship’s company, so brother, enjoying his first T23 experience.
Raider is normally found in
Cdr Peter Olive stood down and headed
Cdr Olive guided the Type 23 frigagatte e wwee wweere ready for anre ything that could “It’s been great, like two worlds meeting.
Ipswich, serving as the university
off to the galley to become a steward, sorry
alongside the Dique del Oeste, Palma’s be thrown at us,” he added. The two separate lives – home and work
boat for Cambridge, Anglia
logistician (catering services (delivery)) for
famous west pier which permits the finest “It’s been a challenging time – but the – don’t normally see each other, and I’ve
Ruskin and the University of East
the day.
views of the harbour and La Sue, the city’s ship has come through with flying colours.” really enjoyed it,” the leading hand said.
Anglia.
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009_NN_May.indd 1 21/4/09 12:48:34
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