'Black Duke' back from round-the-world deployment

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Having circumnavigated the globe, Royal Navy warship HMS Monmouth returned home to cheering crowds at Plymouth today, Monday 3 December 2007, after a nine month deployment that has included visits to such exotic and far-flung places as Hawaii, Manila, Surabaya, Sydney and Wellington.

HMS Monmouth is guided into Frigate Alley to berth, with Royal Navy assault ship HMS Albion to the right of her
[Picture: LA (Phot) Shaun Barlow]

At sea the Type 23 frigate, known as the 'Black Duke', has been heavily involved in maritime security and exercises with foreign ships as well as training and maintenance. While alongside in foreign ports, the focus of the ship has been to foster good international relations.

Having left Plymouth in February 2007, the early stages of Monmouth's deployment saw the ship's participation in operations in the Mediterranean, surveying merchant vessels, and local fishermen, with boarding teams investigating any unusual shipping to prevent the illegal use of the high seas. One distress call from a merchant vessel during this period resulted in Monmouth's helicopter, 'Black Bird', flying out to winch the stricken ship's crew to safety.

Monmouth's deployment continued with visits to India, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, providing opportunities for the ship to exercise with foreign navies and support UK industry ashore; on several occasions providing a unique platform aboard which British companies could exhibit their wares.

Monmouth was also the first major British or American warship to visit Aden since the attack on the USS Cole on 12 October 2000.

Alongside at Plymouth, crowds wait in anticipation for their loved ones
[Picture: LA (Phot) Shaun Barlow]

Following two busy months in Australia and New Zealand, Monmouth visited Okinawa, China and South Korea, taking part in exercises with the US Seventh Fleet, the Chinese North Seas Fleet and the Korean Second Fleet. The ship's final visit to the Far East saw the ship participate in a high profile international exercise in Tokyo Bay in front of the world's media.

In all, Monmouth has sailed over 40,000 miles (74,000km), visiting a total 28 ports in 19 countries and once again proving the global reach of the Royal Navy in supporting the UK's continuing commitment to global security and stability.

HMS Monmouth's Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Peacock, said:

"I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank all of our family, friends and affiliates who have sustained us throughout our long time away. Their good humour and countless messages of support have helped ensure that, although on the far side of the world, we have always felt near home."

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