HMS Monmouth is heading home – and HMS Dragon has taken place as frigate and destroyer traded places on Gulf duties for the Royal Navy.
The Black Duke has been away from Plymouth since October, while the Type 45 destroyer sailed from Portsmouth last month ready to begin her six-month stint east of Suez keeping piracy, smuggling, and terrorism in check.
Pictures: LA(Phot) Will Haigh, HMS Monmouth
GOT any hose? Sailors and Royal Marines on HMS Monmouth blast away with fire hoses – as they celebrate a job well done.
The Black Duke has formally handed over the RN’s Gulf patrol duties to new destroyer HMS Dragon after six months east of Suez.
The two Welsh-affiliated warships met up in the warm waters of the Gulf of Aden to carry out the transfer of responsibilities from outgoing frigate to incoming Type 45 – the third of the new breed of destroyers to perform the task in 15 months.
Draco, HMS Dragon’s 815 Naval Air Squadron Lynx, returns to mother in the background
After a series of briefings and transfer of stores, the end of the handover was marked by a close sail past, complete with jets of water from each ship’s fire hoses, and the Welsh flag flying proudly on both vessels, lending a celebratory feel to their parting as the pair sailed off to their respective duties.
Monmouth is due home in Plymouth in the middle of May, just days before she celebrates her 20th year of commission.
HMS Monmouth’s Commanding Officer Cdr Gordon Ruddock shakes hands with Dragon’s CO Capt Iain Lower in front of the Black Duke’s main 4.5in gun… and a Welsh flag
Commenting on a job well done, Monmouth’s Commanding Officer Commander Gordon Ruddock said: “The value of the past few months has been to assure our friends in the region of the United Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the long term.”
Once home, Monmouth’s crew will enjoy some well-deserved leave and return to the ship in time to be able to send a platoon to the Welsh capital on Saturday June 29 to take part in Cardiff’s Armed Forces Day celebrations.
As for Dragon, her task until autumn is to work with visiting and native navies in the Gulf region to keep the sea lanes open,
deterring piracy and smuggling, promoting the UK’s interests and maintaining a mission the RN has performed in these waters for more than 30 years.
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