From February 15th to 21st, Royal Navy Flagship HMS “Bulwark” was visiting Poland. Two days before entering the port of Gdynia the Flagship was cooperating with the Polish Navy along the Polish coast.
On Friday (Feb. 17th at 10 AM), HMS “Bulwark” entered Gdynia. During the weekend the ship was visited by more than 4000 citizens. The crew participated in rugby game with Polish team Arka Gdynia Rugby and in mini futsal tournament in 3rd Flotilla of Ships. The visit was also an opportunity to meet with Polish Navy’s and Gdynia officials. HMS “Bulwark” is now leaving the Baltic Sea for next joint maritime exercise – Cold Response 2012 in the Norway.
Two Polish frigates, ORP “Gen. K. Pulaski” and ORP “Gen T. Kosciuszko” met HMS “Bulwark” (Feb. 15th) on Polish territorial waters (north of Swinoujscie). While heading towards Gdynia along the Polish coast crews of Polish Navy and the Royal Navy fladship practiced one of the most important tasks of the naval forces that is protecting the strategic sea transport. HMS “Bulwark” operated escorted by two Polish ships which, during this exercise, were responsible for defending it from attacks from water and from the air. During the maneuvers day and night air operations with the use of Polish board helicopter SH-2G were conducted. Moreover, co-operation of the ships with patrol-reconnaissance aircraft Bryza from 44th Sea Aviation Base was practiced.
Exercises of protecting the sea transport are connected with the role of the navy in ensuring security on the sea. Fleets of many countries, including Polish Navy, participate in such maneuvers both within country exercises and international activities. It is associated among others with the increase of the world sea transport, and, what is related to that, the need to protect the sea routes and ships moving along them. Such tasks are especially meaningful for states during crisis situation and during combat activities, in order to prevent blocking the supplies and combat support delivered by sea.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 22, 2012; Image: navy