NAVY NEWS, MAY 2010
17
Saint it black
frigate’s Merlin helicopter (no we don’t know the story behind the nickname...) – while his team ready the fuel hose for a refuel, all witnessed by a senior officer.
NIGHT in the Arabian Gulf.
The Flight Deck Officer of HMS St Albans guides in Lola – the
The Saint is knuckling down to her first spell around Iraq’s oil terminals (she’s recently taken over from HMS Monmouth – see page 7), demanding but also rather monotonous work. So to keep the ship’s company on their toes, there’s quite a bit of exercising: fire drills; flood drills; helicopter in-flight refuelling (being practised here); helicopter load lifting and winching (and not just on and off the flight deck); boarding party training.
... as witnessed by Britain’s second most senior admiral, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar. The Commander-in-Chief Fleet joined the Type 23 during her stint around the two oil terminals. As well as watching boarding operations and discussing the mission with CO Cdr Adrian Pierce and the ops room team, he also sat down with some of the more experienced members of the frigate’s ship’s company in the senior rates’ mess to listen to the voice of the front-line Fleet. And while HM Ships Atherstone and Chiddingfold could be found in Qatari waters for a major exercise (see page 11), the Saint was in Doha with Grimsby and Pembroke for DIMDEX. If you guessed ‘-ex’ stood for exercise, you’re incorrect. If you guessed ‘-ex’ stood for exhibition, you’re spot on. Doha
International Maritime Defence EXhibition to be precise. The three RN vessels joined warships from around the globe at the four-day showcase of naval technology and fi repower. St Albans was designated as the First Sea Lord’s fl agship for the exhibition; Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope headed a UK delegation on board which included the RN’s senior offi cer in the Gulf, UK’s Maritime Component Commander Cdre Tim Lowe. The frigate hosted a large number of visitors, while all three ships offered tours demonstrating their technology and gave UK defence fi rms the opportunity to display their wares – with the added bonus of feedback from the men and women who use it daily, Jack, Jenny and Royal.
When the doors of DIMDEX closed, there was a sporting contest as sailors from numerous nations fought to take the much-coveted tug-of-war trophy.
Picture: LA(Phot) Steve Johncock, FRPU West
maritime forces...
Much of this was observed by Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, Controller of the Navy – responsible for procurement and safety issues (he also wears a second ‘hat’ as Director (Precision Attack)). When not exercising and practising, there’s the small matter of protecting Iraq’s oil terminals, KAAOT and ABOT, which are the mainstay of the country’s econonomy. The Saints’ RN-RM boarding team have visited numerous dhows in the patrol areas – a tiny slice of the 2½ million square miles of sea in the Gulf which is patrolled by Coalition
WELBECK – THE DEFENCE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
IT’S PRECISELY WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED AS AN ENGINEER
Our purpose-built site at Loughborough is one of the UK’s top sixth form colleges. Studying here can lead to securing a top university place and an exceptional career with the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force or the Ministry of Defence Civil Service.
ONE OF THE UK’S TOP PERFORMING SIXTH FORM COLLEGES
100% PASS RATE AT A-LEVEL FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS
79% PASS RATE AT A AND B GRADES AT A-LEVEL IN 2009
TUITION PAID FOR BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
EN-SUITE ACCOMMODATION
MILITARY AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES UNIQUE TO THE COLLEGE
ANNUAL TECHNICAL BURSARY OF £4000
FOR DEFENCE TECHNICAL UNDERGRADUATE SCHEME (DTUS) UNIVERSITY STUDENTS POST-WELBECK
If you’d like a prospectus visit: www.dsfc.ac.uk or call 0845 600 1483 quoting reference: NN0510
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