NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2009
d of Africa
of mariners that transcends while on patrol along the ‘transit Nor were the commodore’s
nationalities has seen a corridor’ in the Gulf of Aden, staff spared the ritual: staff
marvellous unity of effort,” Cdre gave the admiral a real insight officers from Germany, Greece,
Chick adds. into how the conduct of counter- Italy, Turkey and the USA all
“We now need to piracy operations has enjoyed a break from demanding
build confi dence in developed as well operations (their boss, however,
the maritime trade as the thoughts and had already crossed the Equator
community. views of the ship’s during his lengthy career).
“By taking company now well into Cornwall is now coming to
adequate precautions the second half of their the end of her time on station
against piracy, the NATO deployment. east of Suez and will be heading
vast majority of vessels As her marathon back through the Mediterranean
are now able to safely month drew to a close, this month to be home in time
transit the area without t CorC nwall crossed the for Christmas.
even seeing a pirate. Equator for the fiEq rst That brings the curtain down
“It is also important that that time in the deployment, time on eight months with the NATO
the local fi shing and coastal necessitating a visit from King task group and her time as
trade is allowed to fl ourish: the Neptune and his court in order Cdre Chick’s fl agship: HMS
long term solution to piracy is to welcome many of the ship’s Chatham will be taking up the
inextricably linked to economic company to his realm. fl agship mantle in the new year
and political stability in Somalia More than 160 Cornishmen as the force re-forms for future
to allow the rule of law ashore. and women had never crossed operations.
“The ocean is one of the few the imaginary line before and
resources offering a stable and so had to go before King
legitimate livelihood: we must Neptune (who bore an uncanny
ensure that law abiding local resemblance to one WO2ET(ME)
boat crews are allowed to go Taff Cadwallader; the senior rate
freely about their business.” could not be found during the
The demanding month at sea ceremony).
also saw a visit to Cornwall by
the new Commander-in-Chief
Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar
(who regards Type 22s as his
favourite ships...).
CINC (pictured below in
khaki with Cdre Chick) was on
a whistle-stop tour of Senior
Service ships and units deployed
to the Middle East (which meant
a visit to another of his favourite
22s, Cumberland).
The visit to F99, conducted
020-021_NN_Nov.indd 2 21/10/09 14:55:13
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