The Royal Navy’s HMS Montrose made her penultimate stop in Grand Harbour, Malta on her seven-month deployment. The Devonport-based warship has been at the sharp end of Royal Navy operations in the opening weeks of 2014, helping to eliminate Syria’s ability to chemical weapons by escorting merchant ships removing the substances from the civil-war-torn country.
Those duties came after a four-month stint on patrol in the Gulf and only ended last week when Montrose handed over to destroyer HMS Diamond.
Her mission in the eastern Mediterranean done, the frigate headed for Malta – a visit which coincided with Valletta Carnival, an event which sees the island burst into life with theatre, music and general celebrations.
After two hectic and demanding months with the ship’s company working around the clock on Operation RECSYR, codename for the international mission off Syria, the visit to Malta was particularly welcome.
Montrose’s Commanding Officer Cdr James Parkin said the frigate’s visit to Malta had lived up to expectations.
“My ship’s company and I are on the final leg of a seven-month operational deployment and I am extremely pleased for them to have the opportunity to sample the hospitality and culture of such a historically important island, prior to our return to the UK.”
After a short visit to Gibraltar, Montrose is due home in Plymouth this week.
[mappress] Press Release, March 11, 2014, Image: Royal Navy