It’s all chang Chiddingfold and Penzance arrive in Bahrain...
Nations united to test their skills
THE USS Gladiator leads HMS Brocklesby as three nations joined forces for a minehunting test. The US and UK met up with the Royal Saudi Navy to test their combined effectiveness at minehunting in the punishing high-summer heat in the Gulf. The Saudis operate three Sandown-class ships built, like their Royal Navy counterparts, at the former Vosper Thornycroft yard in Southampton. All are designed to hunt mines in deep waters, while Brocklesby specialises in locating explosive devices in the shallows. And among the USA’s impressive mine warfare forces in the region, Avenger-class ships based next to the Royal Navy’s flotilla at Mina Salman in Bahrain. They dispatched Dextrous and Gladiator to join Brocklesby and Al Shaqra for a week-long workout which tested the ships’ and navies’ individual and collective abilities. Participants were expected to detect, classify and, if required, neutralise a series of training mines laid by exercise co-ordinators, share their experiences and follow standard minehunting procedures. Working not far from the coast, the four ships had to contend with a challenging environment. With temperatures in excess of 40°C and strong seasonal winds known as the shamal (meaning ‘north’ in Arabic). “It can be hard sometimes being this far from home when there’s so much going on around the world, but it’s rewarding to know that we are making a difference to a part of the globe that I knew very little about before I came out here,” said mine warfare specialist Able Seaman Dan Buttery, aged 22. Brocklesby’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Chris Easterbrook said given the challenging weather conditions, the exercise “was more a masterclass than a gentle introduction.” He continued: “For some new joiners, this was their first taste in working with the UK’s partners in the region. And it was a fantastic opportunity for mine hunters from the UK, USA and Saudi Arabia to learn from each other. “We like to pride ourselves on being at the forefront of mine countermeasures, but there’s always something you can learn from your allies.” KEEP UP WITH THE SHIP Follow @HMSBrocklesby and @ RoyalNavy on Twitter 16 : OCTOBER 2020
ROYAL Navy minehunters HMS Chiddingfold and Penzance have arrived in the Gulf after a 6,000-mile odyssey from their home ports in the UK. The duo, who are replacing HMS Blyth and Ledbury, were at sea for two-and-ahalf months as they sailed through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, the Bab El Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in Bahrain, home for the pair for the next three years. Chiddingfold’s journey from Portsmouth was immediately stormy as the Hunt-class minehunter encountered foul weather in the Bay of Biscay, facing five-metre waves and wind speeds of 50 knots. Her 50-strong Crew 3 from MCM2 were relieved to finally see the Rock of Gibraltar, first stop on the journey to the Gulf, and time to meet up with Sandown-class HMS Penzance, who had sailed from her home on the Clyde via Falmouth. The pair continued through the Med, stopping off at Sicily, Crete and Cyprus. Covid restrictions meant many of the pair’s port visits were restricted to the jetty but this failed to dampen morale, with a number of deck barbecues, quizzes and sporting contests taking place when their ships’ programmes allowed. Once in the eastern Med, Chiddingfold supported NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, which involves allied ships patrolling the region. Operations Officer, Lieutenant Isaac Johnson, 27, from Somerset, said: “Our assignment to Direct Support of Op Sea Guardian and the commendation we received for our reporting demonstrates that MCMVs can make a useful contribution to a variety of maritime security operations.” Next up for both minehunters was the Suez Canal. Chiddingfold’s Navigating Officer, Lieutenant William Gunter, 25, said: “The Suez Canal is a navigational wonder of the world. The canal transit marked the start of our time in the Middle East, HMS Chiddingfold’s home for the next three years, so it really was a significant milestone of the deployment.” From there, the pair sailed through the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, with visits to Duba and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Salalah and Muscat in Oman. The ships had to negotiate some strategic choke points, including the Bab El Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz. Arriving in Bahrain, the crews – 50 on Chiddingfold and 40 on Penzance – had a few days to relax before work started again. Chiddingfold’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Tom Harrison, said: “It’s been a massive team effort to get Chiddingfold to Bahrain. “My crew have worked with determination and fighting spirit to overcome the many challenges of COVID-19, inclement weather and being away from base port for ten weeks with limited support. We are now fully focused on contributing to efforts in the Gulf.” Chiddingfold and Penzance will now be forward deployed in Bahrain for three years, operating under the new MCM dual-crew manning model. During her time there, she will be involved in multi-national exercises, mine hunting, maritime security and wider defence engagement. It was the second time the two vessels have sailed in company to the Middle East for a three-year tour of duty, having last made the extended trip between 2014 and 2017. Once the pair were in Bahrain, it was time for HMS Blyth and Ledbury to head back to the UK. The Royal Navy has maintained a four-strong minehunting force – bolstered by a dedicated battle staff and mother ship, currently RFA Cardigan Bay – for more than a decade. Report: Lt William Gunter
l Above, HMS Chiddingfold viewed from an RAF helicopter during Operation Sea Guardian; left, Chiddingfold arrives in Bahrain
KEEP UP WITH THE SHIPS Follow @HMSChiddingfold, @HMSPenzance and @RoyalNavy on Twitter
l Clockwise from above, divers undertake a training exercise; the ship’s company gather off Crete; weapons crew training in the eastern Med ; a firefighting-exercise aboard ship
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