Despite being thousands of miles from home, when it comes to Valentines Day even the toughest sailor and marine can’t escape the aim of Cupid’s arrow.
And turning up the heat in the already scorching operational arenas of the Gulf and Afghanistan are the ship’s company of HMS Monmouth and 40 Commando Royal Marines.
Proving the adage that separation makes the heart grow fonder, the marines at MOB Price in Helmand Province penned touching messages to their sweethearts in time for the Valentines post, while sailors in the Gulf created a giant heart on their flight deck for a bespoke card.
On board HMS Monmouth, which is on a seven-month counter piracy operation, Royal Navy photographer Will Haigh said his plan was to create something special.
“I wanted to give the ship’s company something to send home to their families that was personal, but still involved as many people as possible,” he said.
“With that in mind I was really pleased at how the Valentine’s photograph turned out and I hope people’s loved ones will like it as well.”
As well as organising a spa day back in the UK for their other halves, the romantic shipmates have sent eBlueys and emails home in time for the occasion.
With a total of 88 computer terminals on board, they estimate around 1500 loved-up messages will be expected for the 14th.
HMS Monmouth is serving East of Suez as part of the Royal Navy’s continued commitment in the area. Working alongside coalition forces, her main tasks included protecting shipping, preventing smuggling and acting to deter and disrupt piracy.
40 Commando Royal Marines are currently based at MOB Price (or HMS Price). Deployed on Op Herrick 17 as Transition Support Unit, their aim is to support the transition process in the area of Nar-e-Saraj – the economic centre of Helmand Province.
This will be the final tour of Afghanistan for Royal Marines before British combat operations end.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 14, 2013; Image: RN