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HMS DEFENDER RETURNS FROM SEVEN-MONTH DEPLOYMENT
20 March 2020
HMS Defender returned to HM Naval Base Portsmouth this morning after a hugely successful 222 days away from home.
Her crew of 270 and embarked helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron safely accompanied 38 British-flagged tankers and cargo ships through troubled waters and made two significant drug seizures.
There would normally be hundreds of family and friends on the return jetty waiting for the sailors to disembark, but to help preserve good health the homecoming was cancelled.
However, for the final leg of the destroyer’s journey home, 39 relatives were able to join as planned in Gibraltar, to experience of life aboard with loved ones. Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, embarked at Spithead early on Friday to meet the crew and thank for them for their service since departing on 12 August before they made the final transit into harbour from their overnight anchor in the Solent.
HMS Defender’s Commanding Officer, Commander Richard Hewitt, said: “While disappointing not to see our families on the jetty as we return to Portsmouth, we understand the situation and we are extremely grateful for all the support our families have provided while we have been deployed. We could not do it without them and are looking forward to spending some quality time with them now we have returned.”
Instead of a six-month patrol of the Far East as originally planned, the destroyer was diverted to the Middle East last summer to join other Royal Navy vessels accompanying British merchant shipping into and out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
She sailed the narrow waters at the gateway to the Gulf 28 times, accompanying 1.6m tonnes of cargo on those 38 ships – cargo vital to UK trade and economy.
“This was an ever-changing, dynamic, operational deployment for Defender,” added Commander Hewitt.
“The successes we’ve achieved are testament to our training and the mental resilience of the crew which allowed us to reinforce the Royal Navy’s commitment to maintain a global maritime presence, 365 days a year.”
HMS Defender also supported international security missions: Operation Sentinel, the global response to the threat to shipping in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and Combined Task Force 150 which attempts to curb terrorist and smuggling activities in the Indian Ocean.
Her crew scored the biggest crystal meth seizure on record in the region, 131kg, followed in January by 2.5 tonnes of cannabis.
The Royal Marines boarding team from Plymouth-based 42 Commando and 209 Flight’s Wildcat, normally based at RNAS Yeovilton, were instrumental in both busts.
In quieter times, the destroyer worked with the Indian Navy, initially in the English Channel for annual Anglo-Indian exercise Konkan at the start of her deployment, then later with a visit to their base in Goa.
HMS Defender spent 184 days in the Gulf and her 270-strong ship’s company had just a fortnight’s break during their 222 days away, eating 18 tonnes of meat, 26 tonnes of potatoes and 30,000 eggs.
“At the end of the day we’ve been doing what we were sent here to do – and the atmosphere onboard rose based on our successes,” said Leading Seaman Rico Macaspac, an operations room supervisor.
Leading Engineering Technician Danny Holmes added: “Doing something like a drug bust was a tangible result which gave the whole ship’s company a real – and measurable – sense of achievement.
“It really highlights the important work that we’ve been doing.”
To sustain morale youngsters Daisy and Poppy Hamlyn – daughters of a former crewmate – set up Daisypop Parcels, collecting gifts and raising money to send presents to the ship’s company, especially over the Christmas period, which was appreciated by all on board.
20 March 2020
HMS Defender returned to HM Naval Base Portsmouth this morning after a hugely successful 222 days away from home.
Her crew of 270 and embarked helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron safely accompanied 38 British-flagged tankers and cargo ships through troubled waters and made two significant drug seizures.
There would normally be hundreds of family and friends on the return jetty waiting for the sailors to disembark, but to help preserve good health the homecoming was cancelled.
However, for the final leg of the destroyer’s journey home, 39 relatives were able to join as planned in Gibraltar, to experience of life aboard with loved ones. Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, embarked at Spithead early on Friday to meet the crew and thank for them for their service since departing on 12 August before they made the final transit into harbour from their overnight anchor in the Solent.
HMS Defender’s Commanding Officer, Commander Richard Hewitt, said: “While disappointing not to see our families on the jetty as we return to Portsmouth, we understand the situation and we are extremely grateful for all the support our families have provided while we have been deployed. We could not do it without them and are looking forward to spending some quality time with them now we have returned.”
Instead of a six-month patrol of the Far East as originally planned, the destroyer was diverted to the Middle East last summer to join other Royal Navy vessels accompanying British merchant shipping into and out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
She sailed the narrow waters at the gateway to the Gulf 28 times, accompanying 1.6m tonnes of cargo on those 38 ships – cargo vital to UK trade and economy.
“This was an ever-changing, dynamic, operational deployment for Defender,” added Commander Hewitt.
“The successes we’ve achieved are testament to our training and the mental resilience of the crew which allowed us to reinforce the Royal Navy’s commitment to maintain a global maritime presence, 365 days a year.”
HMS Defender also supported international security missions: Operation Sentinel, the global response to the threat to shipping in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and Combined Task Force 150 which attempts to curb terrorist and smuggling activities in the Indian Ocean.
Her crew scored the biggest crystal meth seizure on record in the region, 131kg, followed in January by 2.5 tonnes of cannabis.
The Royal Marines boarding team from Plymouth-based 42 Commando and 209 Flight’s Wildcat, normally based at RNAS Yeovilton, were instrumental in both busts.
In quieter times, the destroyer worked with the Indian Navy, initially in the English Channel for annual Anglo-Indian exercise Konkan at the start of her deployment, then later with a visit to their base in Goa.
HMS Defender spent 184 days in the Gulf and her 270-strong ship’s company had just a fortnight’s break during their 222 days away, eating 18 tonnes of meat, 26 tonnes of potatoes and 30,000 eggs.
“At the end of the day we’ve been doing what we were sent here to do – and the atmosphere onboard rose based on our successes,” said Leading Seaman Rico Macaspac, an operations room supervisor.
Leading Engineering Technician Danny Holmes added: “Doing something like a drug bust was a tangible result which gave the whole ship’s company a real – and measurable – sense of achievement.
“It really highlights the important work that we’ve been doing.”
To sustain morale youngsters Daisy and Poppy Hamlyn – daughters of a former crewmate – set up Daisypop Parcels, collecting gifts and raising money to send presents to the ship’s company, especially over the Christmas period, which was appreciated by all on board.
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Recruit Intake 20 deployed on their first military field exercise on to the training area in Catterick in mid-March 2020. The exercise named simply as Intro Exercise 1 takes place on the backdoor training area, Infantry Training Centre Catterick.
Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, the 432 Trainee Riflemen were receiving training on basic fieldcraft knowledge. This is a fundamental element and learning requirement to become a complete infantryman. Many weeks to go but the first steps to becoming trained professional soldiers have taken place.
Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, the 432 Trainee Riflemen were receiving training on basic fieldcraft knowledge. This is a fundamental element and learning requirement to become a complete infantryman. Many weeks to go but the first steps to becoming trained professional soldiers have taken place.
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Gotta love "Y Ddraig Goch". ???????
Interesting, never seen that particular set up on the turret before.First Fusiliers Battle Group in Estonia
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Plymouth sound on the 23rd march (left to right: RFA Tideforce, HMS Richmond, RFA Lyme bay, HMS Lancaster. Photo taken from HMS Echo
HMS Prince of Wales conducted her first Replenishment At Sea with RFA Tideforce today
HMS Prince of Wales conducted her first Replenishment At Sea with RFA Tideforce today
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AVIATORS PUT SEAL ON ‘PIONEERING’ ARCTIC TRAINING
24 March 2020
Commando Helicopter Force have put the seal on ‘pioneering’ high intensity training on their annual Arctic workout, Exercise Clockwork.
The wings of the Royal Marines – who fly the Commando Wildcats and Merlins – are adept operators in one of the planet’s most inhospitable environments, and Clockwork serves as their yearly top-up of the deep freeze.
On the 51st edition of the extreme cold weather flying training, the Wildcats of 847 Naval Air Squadron continued their work with the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters of 656 Squadron Army Air Corps.
This work, known as ‘Attack Reconnaissance Teaming’, has undergone rapid development, according to 847 NAS’s Commanding Officer, Major Ian Moore Royal Marines.
Wildcats are tasked with finding enemy positons using their state-of-the-art battlefield reconnaissance abilities and laser targeting kit, before the potent Apache strikes and destroys targets.
Maj Moore said: "This winter deployment has proved an excellent vehicle for advancing 847 NAS’s warfighting capability in the Arctic.
“The squadron is now adept at both operating and, crucially, fighting in our aircraft in this most challenging of environments.
“A particular highlight has been the rapid development of the Attack Reconnaissance Teaming concept, which has seen Army Apache and Wildcat learn how to exploit and maximise their respective capabilities, and then work together to multiply the find and strike effect for the primary customer, in this case 3 Commando Brigade.
“This work is truly pioneering, and has never been done before in the Arctic or amphibious arenas.”
The training included the Apache’s firing their Hellfire missiles for the first time in Arctic as well as its 30mm cannon.
The Wildcats let rip with its own .50cal machine guns during their own live firing training at Setermoen Ranges, which saw them work with ground forces from the United States Marine Corps and Norwegian Armed Forces.
After completing the demanding Clockwork training, the CHF fliers progressed to Norwegian-led Exercise Cold Response, in which Wildcat and Apache put their earlier work into practice in hunting down the enemy across the Norwegian wilderness.
Merlins of 845 Naval Air Squadron, after their own Arctic training, moved onto Dutch ship HNLMS Johan De Witt for Cold Response.
From there, the Merlins flew inland in support of 45 Commando’s Battle Group, who were forging a path from the coastline on fjord raids, backed by Wildcats and Apaches.
Using their unique skills as battlespace managers, the Wildcats, meanwhile, provided support to ground missions, including reconnaissance of landing zones for the Merlins to come in and drop marines and supplies.
“The opportunity to deliver integrated air packages consisting of RAF Chinook, Commando Merlin, Apache and Commando Wildcat in a large-scale multinational exercise context has been very well exploited,” added Maj Moore.
“The utility of Wildcat as a multi-role aircraft, especially as an airborne mission command asset and a control of joint fires platform, has seen 847 take a leading role in most of the joint aviation missions.
“This serves to highlight the flexibility of the aircraft, the extremely high level of training of the aircrew, and thus the great value of Commando Wildcat in amphibious operations.”
Before sorties could be flown, the fliers had to learn to survive, move and fight on the ground in the Arctic freeze on the cold weather course run by the Royal Marines Mountain Leaders.
"Keeping the aircraft flying can often involve long hours out on the line," said Air Engineering Officer Lieutenant Holmes.
“The men and women of 847 NAS were no doubt tested physically and mentally during the course, but it has enabled them to carry out their duties in pretty bleak conditions."
Once up in the air, aviators and engineers new to the Arctic began learning what it takes to operate in the freezing temperatures and across the challenging terrain.
This included taking off and landing in deep snow, often producing complete 'whiteout' conditions with the downwash from the main rotor blades – a challenge even for the most experienced Arctic aviators.
Mountain flying in strong winds and poor visibility, load lifting, and tactical formation flying at night are other vital skills required to complete the course and set the conditions for a subsequent range package and Cold Response.
24 March 2020
Commando Helicopter Force have put the seal on ‘pioneering’ high intensity training on their annual Arctic workout, Exercise Clockwork.
The wings of the Royal Marines – who fly the Commando Wildcats and Merlins – are adept operators in one of the planet’s most inhospitable environments, and Clockwork serves as their yearly top-up of the deep freeze.
On the 51st edition of the extreme cold weather flying training, the Wildcats of 847 Naval Air Squadron continued their work with the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters of 656 Squadron Army Air Corps.
This work, known as ‘Attack Reconnaissance Teaming’, has undergone rapid development, according to 847 NAS’s Commanding Officer, Major Ian Moore Royal Marines.
Wildcats are tasked with finding enemy positons using their state-of-the-art battlefield reconnaissance abilities and laser targeting kit, before the potent Apache strikes and destroys targets.
Maj Moore said: "This winter deployment has proved an excellent vehicle for advancing 847 NAS’s warfighting capability in the Arctic.
“The squadron is now adept at both operating and, crucially, fighting in our aircraft in this most challenging of environments.
“A particular highlight has been the rapid development of the Attack Reconnaissance Teaming concept, which has seen Army Apache and Wildcat learn how to exploit and maximise their respective capabilities, and then work together to multiply the find and strike effect for the primary customer, in this case 3 Commando Brigade.
“This work is truly pioneering, and has never been done before in the Arctic or amphibious arenas.”
The training included the Apache’s firing their Hellfire missiles for the first time in Arctic as well as its 30mm cannon.
The Wildcats let rip with its own .50cal machine guns during their own live firing training at Setermoen Ranges, which saw them work with ground forces from the United States Marine Corps and Norwegian Armed Forces.
After completing the demanding Clockwork training, the CHF fliers progressed to Norwegian-led Exercise Cold Response, in which Wildcat and Apache put their earlier work into practice in hunting down the enemy across the Norwegian wilderness.
Merlins of 845 Naval Air Squadron, after their own Arctic training, moved onto Dutch ship HNLMS Johan De Witt for Cold Response.
From there, the Merlins flew inland in support of 45 Commando’s Battle Group, who were forging a path from the coastline on fjord raids, backed by Wildcats and Apaches.
Using their unique skills as battlespace managers, the Wildcats, meanwhile, provided support to ground missions, including reconnaissance of landing zones for the Merlins to come in and drop marines and supplies.
“The opportunity to deliver integrated air packages consisting of RAF Chinook, Commando Merlin, Apache and Commando Wildcat in a large-scale multinational exercise context has been very well exploited,” added Maj Moore.
“The utility of Wildcat as a multi-role aircraft, especially as an airborne mission command asset and a control of joint fires platform, has seen 847 take a leading role in most of the joint aviation missions.
“This serves to highlight the flexibility of the aircraft, the extremely high level of training of the aircrew, and thus the great value of Commando Wildcat in amphibious operations.”
Before sorties could be flown, the fliers had to learn to survive, move and fight on the ground in the Arctic freeze on the cold weather course run by the Royal Marines Mountain Leaders.
"Keeping the aircraft flying can often involve long hours out on the line," said Air Engineering Officer Lieutenant Holmes.
“The men and women of 847 NAS were no doubt tested physically and mentally during the course, but it has enabled them to carry out their duties in pretty bleak conditions."
Once up in the air, aviators and engineers new to the Arctic began learning what it takes to operate in the freezing temperatures and across the challenging terrain.
This included taking off and landing in deep snow, often producing complete 'whiteout' conditions with the downwash from the main rotor blades – a challenge even for the most experienced Arctic aviators.
Mountain flying in strong winds and poor visibility, load lifting, and tactical formation flying at night are other vital skills required to complete the course and set the conditions for a subsequent range package and Cold Response.
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