NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2010


New pins for life at the sharp end


THE men at the sharp end of the nation’s defences have been formally recognised at a


ceremony in Scotland. Around


500 serving sailors


who help maintain the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent were awarded patrol pins


by


Prince William – in his role as Commodore in Chief Submarines – at Clyde Naval Base, home of the Royal Navy’s ballistic nuclear missile ‘bombers’. Every serving man who has sailed on a deterrent patrol for more than 30 days is eligible for


a silver pin – or recognition badge – while those who have completed 20 or more patrols have earned the gold version (pictured above). And 20 patrols is a considerable commitment – when associated training and exercising is taken into account, that could add up to eight years below the surface. Rear Admiral Mark Anderson,


Rear Admiral Submarines, said: “While the individual details of these prolonged and demanding missions must remain classified, each patrol confirms the abilities and resilience of a deterrent force vital to the defence of this nation and our close allies. “Such patrols are conducted in complete isolation and usually at long distances from home, without the benefit of any form of external support.


“The crews are not permitted to tell their families where they are going or where they have been, and deployment and return dates cannot be disclosed.


“Radio silence means that for the duration of the patrol there is no outgoing communication with the outside world, including families.


“This discipline means that in addition to separation from their families, those on a deterrent patrol also have to tolerate extreme isolation from their loved ones. “This award provides recognition of their great endeavours,


professional


personal sacrifice and exceptional service in the maintenance of a Continuous At Sea Deterrent.” He added: “This award is also testimony to the commitment of the families the submariners leave behind.”


The nuclear deterrent has been in the hands of


the Navy for


● Prince William presents patrol pins to ratings during the ceremony at Clyde Naval Base


Picture: PO(Phot) Ian Arthur RNR


more than 40 years since Polaris superseded the RAF’s Blue Steel stand-off missile. The current Vanguard-class


boats – Vanguard, Victorious,


Vigilant and Vengeance, armed with Trident missiles – have never missed a second of their round- the-clock task since taking over from the Resolution-class boats. The 16,000-tonne


leviathans


are close to the size of an aircraft carrier yet are all but silent, their location revealed to neither RN or allied units.


with


Since the programme began the


deployment of HMS


Resolution on June 15 1968, more than 300 such patrols have been carried out, and one of the four bombers is always on duty somewhere deep in the ocean. The crews, of up to 130 men,


skill,


work six hours on and six hours off, with every single sailor having responsibilities that are crucial to a patrol that could last for more than three months. The official patrol pin is only being issued to serving personnel, and details of eligibility and how to obtain a pin are contained in RNTM 074/10. The temporary memorandum however,


does, recognise that


there will also be demand from former deeps, and there is an assumption that such veterans would be able to obtain non- Service pins through naval tailors or dealers in memorabilia. The patrol pin, which must


always be worn in conjunction with the Dolphins, is based on an image of HMS Resolution, with a Polaris missile, wreathed in bands of electrons – to represent nuclear power – superimposed.


23


● Trident boat HMS Victorious on the Clyde


Picture: AB Will Haigh


OFFICIAL NAVY NEWS AND ROYAL NAVY CALENDAR 2011


This year our new combined Navy News and Official Royal Navy calendar for 2011 celebrates our Nation’s affinity with the sea. For centuries our mariners have ploughed the ocean waves that surround this tiny island and the tradition goes on with today’s Royal Navy. This calendar contains terrific images of ships, submarines, helicopters and fighter aircraft together with sailors and RoyalMarines doing what they do best – protecting our Island Nation


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