Ships head East for Security Missions

[Anth]

Two Royal Navy warships set sail from Portsmouth on 13 February 2006 for separate six-month security missions in the Gulf, making a powerful contribution to the safety of legitimate maritime trade in the region.

St Albans leaving Portsmouth [Picture: Major (Retired) Joseph Bright MBE]

Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans will patrol the Gulf region with coalition forces while sister ship HMS Lancaster will team up with a French Navy task group led by the giant aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

St Albans will conduct a series of goodwill port visits in the Mediterranean before passing through the Suez Canal for patrols on the Indian Ocean.

There she will help protect the Iraqi oil infrastructure - vital in supporting Iraq to rebuild its economy - and keep an eye out for vessels involved in piracy and smuggling illicit cargo. She will query any suspicious vessels and carry out boardings if necessary. Her Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Dainton, said:

"We have been working extremely hard over the past few months to fully prepare for this deployment. We are under no illusions that we will be visiting a highly volatile and potentially dangerous part of the world. However, we are well trained, well equipped and eager to assist coalition forces in providing security and stability in the region."

HMS Lancaster is played out of Portsmouth Harbour by the band of the Adjutant General's Corps
[Picture: Major (Retired) Joseph Bright MBE]

HMS Lancaster will work alongside five French ships, starting in the Red Sea before heading to the northern Indian Ocean. The joint force will police busy shipping lanes to look out for criminal and terrorist activity.

Lancaster's busy itinerary also includes exercises with the navies of Saudi Arabia, India, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Oman and Egypt. Her Commanding Officer, Commander James Morley, said:

"We are all looking forward to the deployment and working with the French navy at close quarters. This capable and versatile bilateral maritime force continues to demonstrate our joint commitment to providing a balanced presence for the promotion of stability in this area.

"As a warship we have a mandate for supporting legitimate sea-trade and the denial of water space for criminal and terrorist activities. We will also market UK diplomatic and business interests abroad.

HMS Lancaster sails past the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth as the the band of the Adjutant General's Corps plays on the flight deck
[Picture: Major (Retired) Joseph Bright MBE]

"This is a fabulous opportunity for the ship's company to broaden their personal experiences and gain training value from a unique and exciting environment."

Lancaster will be given a musical send-off courtesy of the band of the Adjutant General's Corps - her affiliated Army regiment. The band will perform on the flight deck as she leaves Portsmouth Harbour.

MoD News Link