SUPER SONIC CAR JOINS NAVY DAYS LINE-UP

A full-size replica of a super sonic car hoping to break the world land speed record will be on show at Portsmouth Navy Days.

The model of Bloodhound will be parked next to the Royal Navy’s newest warship – HMS Dauntless – throughout Navy Days which runs for three days from July 30 at the city’s Naval Base.

Bloodhound is being built in Bristol and plans to attempt the world record next year on the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape Province in South Africa. Aiming for speeds above 1,000 mph, it has a jet engine and will have the power of 180 Formula One cars.

Robert Bruce, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is staging Navy Days with the Naval Base said: “The project to break the land speed record is very exciting and we are delighted to have a full-size show car on display at Navy Days. And to have it adjacent to HMS Dauntless is entirely appropriate as they both demonstrate aspects of the world’s most modern technology. It’s worth remembering that in their time both HMS Victory and Warrior were also at the cutting edge of technology so visitors really will have an opportunity to compare and contrast over the centuries. I am sure it will all prove extremely popular with visitors.”

Another new addition to the Navy Days line-up is an anti-submarine Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron which will be next to Bloodhound on each of the three days.

Joining HMS Dauntless on the list of ships opening their hatches to visitors are sister ship HMS Daring (Saturday and Sunday only), Type 23 frigates HMS Richmond and Westminster, minehuter HMS Cattistock, fisheries protection vessel HMS Tyne, survey vessel HMS Gleaner and the newly refitted RFA Argus. The French naval patrol ship FS Cormoran is also confirmed.

Also confirmed for the three days are fast-roping displays over the harbour by the Royal Marines, demonstrating the daring techniques involved in boarding suspect vessels.

And the skies will also resonate to the sounds of the RN Historic Flight and a flypast by Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance. The Black Knights Parachute Display Team and a demonstration by a coastguard helicopter and Portsmouth lifeboat will add to the action over the harbour.

Deputy Naval Base Commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, said: “Navy Days is a fantastic opportunity for the Royal Navy to be able to show the public, close up, the capabilities it contributes to UK Defence. The line-up of ships will give visitors a true feel of the wide variety of tasks carried out and I am particularly delighted that we have two Type 45 destroyers on show in their home port so that visitors will be able to see how the Royal Navy is maintaining its place at the forefront of maritime operations with this cutting edge class of warship.”

Further information, including ticket details, is available from the Navy Days website – www.navydaysuk.co.uk or by calling 023 9283 9766.

NAVY MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA IN PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth Guildhall will be alive with the sound of music on July 3 for the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association’s annual Festival Competition.

The day-long event will see nine Royal Naval Volunteer Bands compete in both full marching displays and concert performances – and it’s all for free.

The bands, which travel from RN establishments across the UK, will compete for a variety of trophies. Marching displays start at 8.40am in the Guildhall Square and at 1.30pm the festival moves inside the Guildhall where each band performs a 15-minute concert programme. Free tickets are now available for the afternoon contest from the main reception in the Portsmouth Guildhall.

Event organiser Captain Andy Gregory, of the Royal Marines Band Service, said: “This annual event provides a great opportunity for the Royal Navy’s Volunteer Bands to showcase their outstanding musical talents to the general public. The competition has been held in Portsmouth for the last seven years and has become a highly popular event in the local entertainment calendar. The public are treated to an exceptionally high standard of amateur music-making, and the whole day is completely free to all.”

He added: “The three bands based in the Portsmouth area at HMS Nelson, Sultan and Collingwood will be performing throughout the day, entertaining the general public and demonstrating another side to life in the Royal Navy. The RN Volunteer Band Association is extremely grateful to the Portsmouth City Council for their continued support and for making the Guildhall available for this unique event.”

The other six bands competing in the competition this year are HMS Heron (Yeovilton), HMS Neptune (Scotland), HMS Seahawk (Culdrose), Devonport Naval Base (Plymouth), Joint Headquarters Northwood (London), and the newest Band in the Royal Navy from the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Councillor Mrs Paula Riches will be guest of honour and will be hosted by the Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey as the President of the Association. Other distinguished guests include the Mayor of Fareham Councillor Brian Bayford, the Mayor of Gosport Councillor Roger Allen, the Portsmouth Naval Base Commander Commodore Rob Thompson and many other senior naval officers.

The Royal Naval Pipers’ Society will also be entertaining the crowds with performances at 10am and also on stage before the prize giving which will start around 5.10pm.

HMS DAUNTLESS COMMISSIONED INTO FLEET

HMS Dauntless – the second of the Royal Navy’s new formidable Type 45 destroyers – will be formally commissioned into the fleet on Thursday (June 3).

Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship’s company will attend the colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base.

Principal guests are Lady Mary Burnell-Nugent – the ship’s sponsor who launched the ship at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow in January 2007 – and Commander-In-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Trevor Soar. The ceremony will be conducted by the Venerable John Green, Chaplain to the Fleet.

Lady Burnell-Nugent will inspect some of the crew on parade and also the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Collingwood which will provide musical accompaniment for the hour-long ceremony.

HMS Dauntless’ Commanding Officer, Captain Richard Powell, will read the Commissioning Warrant and the ceremony will be rounded off in traditional Royal Navy fashion with the cutting of a commissioning cake. Performing the honour will be the CO’s wife, Carolyn, and Engineering Technician Robert Clough, aged 17, who is the youngest member of the ship’s company.

• HMS Dauntless is the second of six Type 45 destroyers being built for the Royal Navy. All will be based in Portsmouth. The first, HMS Daring, was commissioned last July and the third, HMS Diamond, will make her first entry in to Portsmouth by the end of the year. All six are scheduled to be in service by the middle of the decade.

HMS MANCHESTER DEPLOYS ON CARIBBEAN COUNTER-DRUGS MISSION

A Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer will leave Portsmouth on Monday to head for the Caribbean on a seven-month disaster relief and counter-narcotics deployment.

HMS Manchester will sail to the Northern Atlantic where there are a number of UK overseas territories, Commonwealth and friendly nations where the ship will act as a reassuring presence and also a deterrent to any potential aggressors.

She will also work on counter-drugs operations and is on hand to help with humanitarian disasters, particularly in the event of hurricanes, should they occur in the region.

The Commanding Officer of HMS Manchester, Commander Rex Cox, said: “HMS Manchester is deploying to the Caribbean region to work as part of a multinational maritime counter narcotics task force. My ship’s company have been well trained to conduct this counter-narcotics tasking and are also fully prepared to react as required to any contingent disaster relief operation and to support the UK overseas territories.”

As the ship leaves Portsmouth, the Buglars and Drums of the Light Infantry will play from the Round Tower among crowds of well-wishers, families and friends. The Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Mark Hackett and Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham Chief of Staff (Aviation) will also be among the dignitaries wishing HMS Manchester farewell.

LANCASTER HEADS HOME AFTER BUSY DEPLOYMENT

HMS Lancaster will sail into Portsmouth on Thursday from a successful seven-month deployment which saw her make a significant contribution to anti-piracy and counter-drugs operations in the Middle East.

As the Type-23 frigate pulls into port, her homecoming will be marked by the only remaining airworthy Battle of Britain Lancaster bomber which will fly over the ‘Red Rose’.

HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Rory Bryan said: “HMS Lancaster has demonstrated during the past few months that the Royal Navy is willing and able to take direct action to disrupt and prevent maritime criminal activity in those areas of the world where safety and security of navigation is threatened.”

One of the ship’s biggest successes saw the destruction of three pirate vessels and fuel in the first action of its kind by a coalition warship. In April the ship’s Lynx identified a number of pirate camps along the Somali coastline and, using that intelligence, the ship seized two pirate boats and destroyed them using the ship’s 30mm gun.

A third ‘mothership’ was also discovered and had all its fuel destroyed by pouring sugar into the barrels. These actions deprived the pirates of more than 10 tonnes of fuel and prevented them from launching an attack out at sea.

Lancaster continued her success by maintaining security across the wider region, and while in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian ocean, the ship boarded several vessels suspected of breaching international laws.

The ship’s boarding teams also visited fishermen and merchant sailors to reassure them of the Coalition efforts to combat criminal activities, in particular narcotics smuggling - which was reduced drastically as a result.

Cdr Bryan added: “I am particularly proud of the ship’s company’s achievement in the fight against piracy and overall we have significantly reduced the pirates’ capability to operate. More widely, the ship has also played an important role in regional engagement and forging closer links between the Royal Navy and our allies.”

Aside from doing maritime patrols HMS Lancaster played a key role in encouraging closer liaison between navies in the Middle East. In January, representatives from the Saudi Arabian, Yemeni, Australian and French navies attended a conference onboard the ship, hosted by the Commander of Coalition Task Force 151.

As part of CTF 151, HMS Lancaster was active in detecting, disrupting and deterring pirate activity off the coast of Somalia. She also supported CTF 150, where the ship conducted operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea to help provide security and stability in the wider region.

The Red Rose also visited a number of ports in the course of her deployment including Gibraltar, where she had the honour of bringing the new Governor, Admiral Sir Adrian Johns, to the Rock, Souda in Crete, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Salalah and Muscat in Oman, and Dubai in the UAE.

On HMS Lancaster’s return to Portsmouth, the ship’s company will go on leave before rejoining the warship to operate in UK waters.

ROYAL NAVY “AMBASSADORS” - HMS ST ALBANS RETURNS TO PORTSMOUTH FROM FOUR CORNERS OF EUROPE

Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans returns to her home port on Friday July 3 following a successful and varied NATO deployment. Families and Navy colleagues will welcome home the ship as she arrives in Portsmouth Naval Base after six months away. The ship has recently completed Exercise “Baltops 2009” in the Baltic working alongside ships from both NATO and other Navies in the region. This large maritime annual exercise has promoted mutual understanding between NATO and Partnership for Peace participants in the region since 1993. Exercise “Baltops 2009” brings thousands of multinational sailors together in a joint response to a variety of maritime security scenarios, incorporating anti-submarine and anti-air warfare, radar tracking, interception, mine countermeasures, search and rescue, and maritime interdiction operations to prevent smuggling of arms, people and weapons.

Commanding Officer of HMS St Albans, Commander Adrian Pierce, said:

“A tremendously varied six months has seen St Albans and her great ship’s company achieve an enormous amount in areas on all four corners of Europe and beyond; Alexandria in the South, Haifa in the East, Brittany in the West, and St Petersburg in the North.  Building links and furthering Alliances and Coalitions, it has been a delight to lead such a well trained group of sailors.  They have acted as ambassadors for the Royal Navy and Great Britain while continuing to strengthen maritime security and allowing mariners to sail the seas in safety.”

In the last two weeks, HMS St Albans attended a formal wreath laying ceremony at a Commonwealth War Cemetery along with sailors from the British minehunter HMS Brocklesby.

The frigate left Portsmouth at the beginning of the year and headed for the Mediterranean to take part in the NATO Operation Active Endeavour (OAE). In this operation NATO ships are patrolling the Mediterranean and monitoring shipping to help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity. During a particularly busy period of surge operations in the Southern Mediterranean in March HMS St Albans hailed over 200 merchant cargo vessels and tankers on the busy shipping trade routes.

A few family members of the ship’s company took the opportunity to join HMS St Albans on a two day transit during the deployment giving them an opportunity to experience life at sea.

Powerful and versatile, the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates form 50% of the total frigate/destroyer force in the Royal Navy. Originally designed for the principal task of anti-submarine warfare, they are multi-purpose ships with the capability to operate anywhere in the world.

HMS BROCKLESBY RETURNS TO PORTSMOUTH AFTER SUCCESSFUL NATO DEPLOYMENT

The Royal Navy’s Second Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan Massey, will be the first to greet and thank the ship’s company of HMS Brocklesby for their significant operational success during a busy six month deployment to the Mediterranean, North Sea and Baltic. On Thursday July 2, the Admiral will join HMS Brocklesby in the Solent and witness her enter the base of the 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron in Portsmouth Naval Base. On the quayside the ship will be warmly welcomed by delighted family members and Navy colleagues from the Portsmouth Flotilla.

HMS Brocklesby’s skilled team of mine warfare experts have had success in detecting and disposing historic ordnance from the Second World War in both the Mediterranean during NATO Exercise Loyal Mariner, in the English Channel and North Sea, including six aircraft bombs - three of which the disposal teams had to raise from the seabed and move clear of underwater pipelines before countermining them. 

The ship returns following a maritime exercise in the Baltic working alongside 50 other ships from NATO and other regional navies.  The ship has also recently participated in Kiel Week festivities in Germany.  Both HMS Brocklesby and Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans attended a formal wreath laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery to mark the sacrifice of sailors from all nations.   Commanding Officer of Brocklesby, Lt Cdr Tom Tredray, also laid a wreath on behalf of the UK at the German memorial to all those who have died at sea at Labooe, near the entrance to Kiel.

Lt Cdr Tredray said: “Deploying as part of the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group has been an excellent opportunity to work closely with our allies.  We have made some good friends over the last six months and operated successfully from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.  Through our work to dispose of explosives left over from the Second World War, we have also helped to make the seas around Europe safer for everyone, especially fishermen.”

NAVY MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA IN PORTSMOUTH

Eight Royal Navy Volunteer Bands will provide a day-long musical treat in and around Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday July 4 – and it’s all for free.

The bands, which travel from establishments across the UK, will compete for trophies in the annual Royal Naval Volunteer Band Association Festival which tests both marching and concert performances. Marching displays start at 9am in the Guildhall Square and at 1.30pm the Festival moves inside the Guildhall where each band performs a 15-minute concert programme. Free tickets are now available for the afternoon contest from ‘Talking Point’ in Portsmouth Central Library, Guildhall Square.

Event organiser Captain Andy Gregory, of the Royal Marines Band Service, said: “This annual music festival shows off the abundant musical talent which is to be found in the Royal Navy’s Volunteer Bands. The competition has been held in Portsmouth for a number of years now and has grown into a spectacular event. The public are treated to an exceptionally high standard of amateur music-making, and the whole day is completely free to all.”

He added: “The three bands based in the Portsmouth area HMS Nelson, Sultan and Collingwood will be performing throughout the day, entertaining the general public and demonstrating another side to life in the Royal Navy. The RN Volunteer Band Association is extremely grateful to Portsmouth City Council for their support and making the Guildhall available for this unique event.”

The other five bands competing in the competition this year are HMS Heron (Yeovilton), HMS Neptune (Scotland), HMS Seahawk (Culdrose), Devonport Naval Base (Plymouth), and Joint Headquarters Northwood (London).

The RN Pipers’ Society will also entertain the audience during a break in the marching displays and also on stage before the prize giving which will start at about 4.30pm.

HMS IRON DUKE RETURNS TO THE CARIBBEAN

Portsmouth based warship HMS Iron Duke will sail on Wednesday 17 June to commence a six month deployment in the North Atlantic. The ship’s primary role will be to provide reassurance and support to UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, especially during the core hurricane season of August to October. The ship will join the International Task Force hunting drugs traffickers in the Caribbean region.

Last year the ship provided support to the Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. HMS Iron Duke also reached the headlines when they seized almost a tonne of cocaine with an estimated street value of over £45 million. HRH Prince William spent several weeks on board during his service with the Royal Navy in 2008. Since returning to the UK in December last year the ship’s company has enjoyed some leave and the ship has undergone maintenance. An intensive 4-week sea training package has recently been completed to prepare her ship’s company for her imminent tasking.

HMS Iron Duke’s Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Stacey said: “We have worked hard to get the ship ready again for this exciting and challenging deployment. My ship’s company and I are looking forward to making a real contribution supporting both the UK Overseas Territories and International Counter-Narcotics efforts in the region.”

INDIAN NAVY TASK GROUP ARRIVES FOR EXERCISE KONKAN

An Indian Navy Task Group, led by the 6,700 ton destroyer INS Delhi, will arrive in Portsmouth on Wednesday (17 June) at the start of this year’s Exercise Konkan with the Royal Navy. The visiting task group will be under the command of Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema, the Flag Officer Commanding Indian Western Fleet, based in Mumbai. Joining the Delhi in Portsmouth will be the frigates INS Beas and Brahmaputra and the tanker INS Aditya.

Named after Indian’s western coastal region, Exercise Konkan is an annual exercise between the Indian and Royal Navies conducted with the aim of building maritime interoperability and mutual understanding. Konkan 08 was conducted off Goa as part of the UK Orion task group deployment, led by the carrier HMS Illustrious. Konkan 09 is the first to be conducted in UK waters. This year it is focused on Portsmouth with the sea phase taking place in the south coast exercise areas and the south west approaches. So far, four such exercises have been conducted since 2004.

UK participants, commanded by Commodore Simon Ancona, include the frigates HMS Westminster and HMS Northumberland, the nuclear powered submarine HMS Trafalgar, the auxiliaries RFA Mounts Bay and RFA Fort Rosalie and an RAF Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. A team of Indian Navy divers will also be conducting Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training with the Plymouth-based Southern Diving Group. Commodore Ancona said: “We are delighted to welcome the Indian Navy to Portsmouth. Exercise Konkan represents a valuable opportunity to practise a wide range of maritime operations in realistic conditions. This is an essential and long standing relationship as our navies are increasingly working together in the Indian Ocean tackling problems such as piracy off the coast of Africa.”

Konkan 09 will start with training alongside, visits to naval establishments in and around Portsmouth and a sporting competition for the Konkan Cup. Teams from UK ships and Portsmouth shore establishments will compete against those from the Indian Navy for the trophy, which is currently held by the Royal Navy. There will also be an opportunity for the Indian sailors to explore the city.

The combined task group will sail on Saturday June 20 and exercise together for six days. The focus will be on anti-submarine warfare, but there will be opportunities to practise anti-air and anti-surface skills, including boarding operations. There will also be an exchange of personnel to give individuals the opportunity to experience life at sea in another navy. Admiral Cheema said: “I am very much looking forward to bringing my Task Group to the UK to exercise with the Royal Navy. This will be our first visit to Portsmouth since Delhi’s sister ship, the INS Mumbai, attended the Trafalgar 200 celebrations in 2005. I believe that Konkan 09 will further enhance our ability to work together effectively at sea.”

HMS KENT SAILS FOR MIDDLE EAST

HMS Kent, one of the Royal Navy’s advanced Type 23 frigates, will sail from Portsmouth Naval Base on Monday (June 1) for Operation Telic, supporting the UK’s ongoing commitment to promoting stability in the Middle East.

In the past few months the ship’s 174 sailors have been preparing to ensure she is ready to deploy away from the UK for approximately six months. Every member has been involved with the maintenance, trials and training packages required to ensure that HMS Kent is able to sustain operations around the world.

The ship’s primary mission is in the Northern Arabian Gulf, assisting the Iraqis in maintaining security around the oil terminals. Although the reduction of UK forces in Iraq progresses, the Royal Navy continues to provide security for Iraq’s offshore energy infrastructure and territorial integrity, as well as providing training for the Iraqi Navy.

HMS Kent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Simon Hopper, said: “My team have worked extremely hard to prepare for what is the Royal Navy’s core business, deploying operational warships around the world. Our role in Op Telic is crucial to supporting the recovery of the Iraqi economy and promoting greater peace and stability in the region. I am also very proud to be representing the UK’s wider interests abroad, fostering relationships with our global partners over the next six months.”

LAST SURVIVING FALKLANDS WARSHIP BOWS OUT

The last surviving operational Royal Navy warship which took part in the Falklands conflict of 1982 retires from service tomorrow (Wednesday May 27).

Portsmouth-based HMS Exeter destroyed four Argentine aircraft – two Skyhawks and two reconnaissance planes – during the campaign. The Type 42 destroyer was sent to the region from the Caribbean to replace her sister ship HMS Sheffield – the first major British casualty of the conflict.

A ceremony to mark the end of HMS Exeter’s 29-year career, attended by many of her Falklands veterans, will be held at Portsmouth Naval Base.

Ten of her 21 former Commanding Officers will also be among the 325 guests at the decommissioning ceremony which will be conducted by Naval chaplain the Reverend James Tabor. The ship’s affiliate organisations, including Exeter City Council, will also be represented.

Exeter’s White Ensign will be lowered for the last time during the ceremony and it will be rounded off in RN ceremonial fashion with the cutting of a decommissioning cake.

Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the Tyne, HMS Exeter was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980.

She was also involved in the Gulf War of 1991, employed as an escort for a US battleship and mine countermeasures vessels off the Kuwaiti coast.

In 2005 she took part in the International Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. During her lengthy service around the globe Exeter clocked up 892,811 nautical miles.

The Navy is replacing its ageing Type 42s with the far more capable Type 45 Daring class of destroyers. The first of the class – HMS Daring – made her first entry to her Portsmouth home in January and the second – HMS Dauntless – is due to arrive next year. Most of Exeter’s ship’s company have already been transferred to other posts across the RN fleet, including Daring and Dauntless.

HMS BROCKLESBY DISPOSES OF WW2 BOMB IN NORTH SEA

Portsmouth based mine countermeasures vessel, HMS BROCKLESBY destroyed a World War Two bomb in the North Sea this morning (May 19). A large plume of seawater marked the detonation following the disposal operation.

The Hunt Class vessel is operating with the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group 1 SNMCMG1 under the command of Cdr Henrik Rasmussen in the Danish vessel HDMS THETIS. The Group of ships are actively hunting for historic ordnance for both training and safety purposes.

Three Mine Countermeasures Vessels are currently taking part in the disposal operations. Dutch and Belgian ships have also disposed of bombs in the last 24 hours and HMS BROCKLESBY has confirmed that another contact reported by a fisherman is a bomb, by using their highly successful underwater inspection and mine disposal vehicle SEAFOX.

Lt Cdr Tom Tredray Commanding Officer of HMS BROCKLESBY said:
“There is a large amount of Second World War explosives in the North Sea and the aim of this operation is to reduce the risk to seafarers, particularly fishermen who run the risk of hauling up explosives in their nets. As a side benefit, it also provides good training for my team in mine disposal techniques, helping us to maintain a good level of operational capability as part of NATO’s high readiness Mine Countermeasures force.”

More information about Mine countermeasures in the Royal Navy can be found at this weblink:
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/mine-countermeasure/

More information about the activities of SNMCMG 1 can be found at this link: http://www.manw.nato.int/page_snmcmg1.aspx