During a port visit to Bahrain, HMS Monmouth has hosted the Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General David Capewell OBE, along with senior officers, Ministry of Defence civil servants and senior Component Commanders from across the 3 services.
Alongside Bahrain for a brief overnight visit, HMS Monmouth took the opportunity to welcome onboard 14 senior members of all three services to update them on her 7 month Maritime Security deployment to the Arabian Gulf.
At the time Lieutenant General Capewell was hosting a conference at the home of the United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC), Commodore Simon Ancona Royal Navy.
The Ship’s visit provided an excellent opportunity to get first hand briefing on the progress of one of the RN’s front line frigates undertaking the maritime security duties the Royal Navy has continuously maintained in the region for over 30 years.
From receiving briefs in the operations room and aircraft hangar to touring the galley and engine rooms, the senior party of 14 high ranking Officers received briefings on the Ship’s interactions with host nation allies and coalition Ships in the region saw first hand the intricacies of Naval Operations in the Gulf.
It also gave the General a chance to meet the Ship’s Sailors and Royal Marines and discuss with them the diversity of challenges a self-contained warship has to contend with over the course of a 7 month deployment.
“Having senior Component Commanders from all three services onboard provided a great opportunity to showcase the achievements of HMS Monmouth’s deployment thus far” , said Commanding Officer of HMS Monmouth, Commander Gordon Ruddock RN.
“Reassuring maritime shipping that international waters are kept safe and independent sustainability on task are roles the Royal Navy does best, and this visit allowed us to demonstrate the value of those roles at a very senior level” , he continued.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 8, 2013; Image: Royal Navy