UK: HMS Somerset Returns Home After Six Months of Deployment

More than 600 friends and family greeted HMS Somerset as she returned home from six months of chasing pirates in the Indian Ocean. The frigate completed a “very rewarding” deployment – during which she took part in several pirate busts – by sailing into Devonport.

More than 600 joyous families and friends greeted their loved ones on the jetty with banners and cheers following the ship’s success in conducting maritime security operations to ensure the freedom of navigation to merchant vessels in the world’s busiest trade routes.

At the head of the queue to meet her husband CPO Rob Lawes come off the ship in privileged third place was Leanne with their first child, 15-week-old son Daniel bouncing in her arms dressed in sailor suit, specially made by his mother for the occasion.

Rob said:

 “It’s wonderful to see Daniel again. Leanne has done a wonderful looking after him.  Mind you I was lucky enough that the navy flew me home to be there at his birth. Others have had to wait until today to see their families. It is a great day for everyone.’’

Leanne added:

 “It has been hard being pregnant without Rob around. He has missed most of Daniel’s very short life so far. But he has been a great dad and kept in contact daily.’’

A special combined Christmas and homecoming party is planned for the Lawes family to mark missing the festive break in their home town Walsall, West Midlands.

Equally overjoyed was Julie Gale, waiting to see her daughter LMA Donna Gale after her first time at sea. Her incident-packed patrol included looking after a patient in Tanzania and providing medical cover at a football match in Saudi Arabia. Julie said: “Donna’s had a really busy time on her first ship. It’s brilliant to see her again.’’

Somerset was at sea for up to six weeks continuously at any one time on her various patrols, visiting Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania and the Seychelles for breaks.

Whilst in various ports her sailors engaged with their host nations on a variety of issues ranging from maritime security tactics to playing football; all of which served to strengthen international co-operation based on the shared need to protect maritime trade routes.

PO Jamie Newman, of Plymouth, hugged his children Evie, seven, and Owyn, ten, who were delighted to see their father. Evie said her dad was taking her to Brownies – the first time he had been able to, while her older brother is looking forward to football with dad. Their mother Lisa said:

“Although it has been hard keeping these two (children) occupied, Jamie is back and that more than made up for everything.’’

Her husband added:

 “The deployment has been successful, especially with counter-piracy ops. It is tough being away from my family, but this is a wonderful welcome home.’’

They’re now enjoying some much-deserved leave while the ship herself is about to undergo a major overhaul – after four six-month deployments in the past five years, she’s lined up for a lengthy refit which will take her out of the front line until 2013.

So the warm welcome the ship and her 200 souls received was a fitting end to this chapter in Somerset’s proud career.

“It is fantastic to be met by hundreds of families and friends on the jetty. The crew deserve this moment from their families who have been so hugely supportive which is appreciated so much by us all,” said her CO Cdr Paul Bristowe.

“My ship’s company have been really professional, enabling the ship to conduct effective maritime policing operations including counter-piracy and counter-smuggling.

“One of the incidents came about when we came across a ship in which the crew had been effectively taken captive by pirates. We secured the vessel from the pirates and released the captured Pakistani crew.

“As well as disrupting two piracy acts we also rescued two separate crews in distress on the high seas. This was very rewarding and exactly why we were there and what we have trained for.”

The ship’s crew is now on leave before returning to prepare the ship for a lengthy in depth refit having deployed four times for six months in the past five years. HMS Somerset will be regenerated and ready for any operations next year.

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Naval Today Staff , February 28, 2012; Image: royalnavy