40 Commando Royal Marines take over authority of Sangin
from 3rd Battalion The Rifles

This week 3rd Battalion The Rifles officially transferred responsibility and command of the Sangin area of operations to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

Over the last few weeks, Royal Marine Commandos and attached Ranks have been arriving in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jackson, in the Sangin region of Helmand province. They have been receiving comprehensive handovers from their counterparts in the 3 Rifles.

The Area of Operations was formally handed by the 3 Rifles Commanding Officer, Lt Col Nick Kitson, to Lt Col Paul James, Commanding Officer of 40 Commando Royal Marines on Sunday (18th ).

Lt Col James said: “It's great to be here. It's an honor to take up the reins and having the opportunity to help the Afghans improve the lives of their people in Sangin and Kajaki.”

The Commandos will be based here and in the other associated FOBs and Patrol Bases (PBs) for the next 6 months where they will continue to provide security to the region, mentor the Afghan National Police, partner the Afghan National Army and enable the continuation of reconstruction projects in the area.

Just prior to 3 Rifles departing to leave Sangin they, together with their Afghanistan partners, they jointly hosted a ‘thank you and farewell' Shura.  The Shura involved key members of the local community and was also used to welcome members from 40 Commando Royal Marines to Sangin.  The Shura incorporated a meal and much reciting of achievements and praise for the progress that 3 Rifles have made during their six month tour in the north eastern corner of Helmand Province.

The Commandos have already made a number of minor cultural changes around the FOBs and PBs to put their Royal Marine stamp on them. Army phrases have been replaced with Royal Navy terms - toilets have been renamed ‘heads'; the ‘cookhouse' has become the ‘galley'; ‘brews' have become ‘wets' and ‘Scoff' (meals) has become ‘Scran'.

This has all caused much amusement with the Afghan Partners from the Police and Army, together with locally employed nationals and interpreters who all live within the Bases and work with the Commandos every day.

For around a third of the Commandos, this is their second, third or even fourth deployment to the Sangin area and these Marines all commented on the significant changes that had taken place since they were last in the area.

.The vibrant bazaar, which is a matter of a few hundred metres from the ISAF Operating Base, is one of the most significant signs of progress achieved by the 3 Rifles Battle Group throughout their tour.  The locals and children are becoming increasingly friendly and comfortable with the present of ISAF troops and their Afghan partners. The children are even starting to talk and play with the troops.  This is seen by many as real and tangible improvements to the quality of the local Afghan's way of life.

After a hard six month tour 3RIFLES hand over the Sangin region to the Royal Marine Battle Group in a better state then when they took over control in September 2009. 40 Commando now have an excellent foundation on which to build and will continue to provide security to the region, and will show the local people that the Government is the best choice for them, and that the insurgency has nothing to offer them but fear and oppression.

HMS NORTHUMBERLAND DEPLOYS TO MIDDLE EAST

To the stirring sound of pipes from the Morpeth Pipe Band, Devonport-based warship HMS Northumberland left her home-port of Plymouth to start a 7.5-month deployment to the Middle East .

Rear Admiral Bob Love visited the ship shortly before sailing to wish the commanding officer and crew his best wishes and good fortune on their mission. The ship will be supporting ongoing operations, including anti-piracy.

Family and friends said their final farewells as the crew of HMS Northumberland came onboard to sail on patrol in the waters around the Gulf of Aden and Oman.

The ship's mission is part of a multi-national effort to disrupt terrorist and organised crime smuggling routes that provide supplies and finances to various terrorist organisations. This will involve the ship operating for extended periods in the harsh and uncomfortable environment of the Middle East where temperatures can easily reach 50 degrees centigrade.

As the ship left harbour with the crew lining the decks, they were accompanied by the swirling sound of pipes courtesy of Andy Grant and Stuart Kay of the Morpeth Pipe Band from the county of Northumberland.

The men and women of HMS Northumberland have been well trained for this deployment and are ready to overcome whatever challenges they face in this volatile area of the world. The ship is likely to be operating with navies from a wide range of nations.

HMS Northumberland is a Type frigate launched in 1992. Although primarily an anti-submarine warship, the ship has a wide range of capabilities. Propelled by two gas turbines for sprinting, and four diesel engines for cruising speeds, displacing 4,800 tonnes, she is 133 metres long with a top speed of approximately 28 knots and is armed with a variety of missile, torpedo and gun systems.

HMS PORTLAND SAILS FOR SOUTH ATLANTIC

The Royal Navy Frigate HMS Portland sailed for a seven-month patrol to the South Atlantic on Tuesday 13th April.

Devonport-based HMS Portland will take over from HMS York, a Type 42 destroyer, which has been on routine patrol in the area. The deployment is Atlantic Patrol (South) - the standing naval commitment to provide a frigate or destroyer and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support vessel to the South Atlantic and West African regions.

The patrol ship provides a maritime presence to protect the UK 's interests in the region. She acts as a reassurance to UK overseas territories, Commonwealth and other friendly nations. HMS Portland's patrol is also aimed at being a deterrent to potential aggressors who may wish to threaten UK nationals, territory or interests.

The Atlantic patrol is responsible for maintaining British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands . A vessel is present in the Falkland Islands area for the majority of the year - including throughout the southern winter.

More than 500 joyful families and friends cheered home the Royal Navy warship HMS Monmouth as she sailed into Plymouth today Friday (9 April) from a six-month Middle East patrol.

The captain of the Type 23 frigate said he was proud of his crew and thanked their families for their valuable support while deployed for 194 days completing successful missions in the Northern Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Aden playing a key role in UK and international security.

Commander Tony Long, HMS Monmouth's commanding officer, was met by his wife Julia and twin six-year-old sons Alex and Tom on the jetty. He said: “Even after leading my ship in such an important job in the Middle East and entering and leaving many unfamiliar ports, I still had butterflies in my stomach when we rounded the corner in Devonport and saw the hundreds of families cheering and waving welcome banners on the jetty. It was an emotional moment for us all and fantastic to see my wife. My two sons also missed me and I them.”

Julia said: “I'm over the moon to have him home again. The boys have missed their dad. He'll probably take them kite-flying when we get back home.”

This was the first time Commander Long had taken command of a ship on such a deployment. He added: “The families should be very proud of my sailors and officers and I am proud of them.  I am very pleased with the dedication and professionalism of HMS Monmouth's sailors and Royal Marines. Our prime role was to protect the Iraqi oil platforms and that required six week periods on patrol with the ship on 24-hour alert. We were there for unseen potential threats. You do not know where it might come from or when. We remained coiled, ready to react at any time.

“HMS Monmouth has achieved everything that has been asked of us.  We have won international acknowledgement for our cooperation and interaction with regional Navies which has helped reassure them of the UK's commitment to security in the area. The crew onboard HMS Monmouth has worked hard and gained a great deal of professional pride from the six-and-a-half-month deployment.  Families back home have been a key factor in our success, their support through emails, telephone and community web sites such as RNCom has been second to none.  They deserve as many accolades as the sailors do for their superb support.”

Petty Officer Regulator David Freeman, back from his fourth Arabian Gulf duty, was greeted by his three children Daniel, 12, Caitlin, 4, and Brooke, 6, his wife Dianna (note: correct spelling) and his mother Daphne, all from Plymouth. Dianna said: “I've missed David. It's extra hard also having three young children and they have missed him. At least we have the rest of the Easter holidays together.”

The largest welcome banner was held by the family of Weapons Engineering Technician Liam Hickinbotham, from Burton-on-Trent . His sisters Hannah, 13, and Lara, 25, waved the banner aloft. Lara, with her daughter Alorla, 18 months, said: “This is Liam's first deployment and he has enjoyed all the visits to different countries. But we have all missed him. It's great to have him back home. He is also very keen to see his baby niece Alorla again - she has grown so much in six months.”

HMS Monmouth mainly operated in the Northern Arabian Gulf under the task force patrolling the Iraqi oil platforms.

HMS TRIUMPH, TEIGNMOUTH'S AFFILIATED BOAT, GETS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH ASTUTE, THE ROYAL NAVY'S NEWEST SUBMARINE

You wouldn't want to meet them on a dark night, but luckily the Royal Navy's most advanced attack submarine, Astute, and the service's newest Trafalgar class boat are on the same side – and, for that matter, the same river!

Creeping stealthily through the channel between the Isles of Arran and Great Cumbrae, the sleek, awesome Astute – first in class of the Royal Navy's newest submarines, launched at Barrow in 2007 – found a moment during her continuing sea trials to spend time with HMS Triumph in the Firth of Clyde, creating this great double take moment.

Launched in 1991, also in Barrow-in-Furness , and accepted into service in the same year, HMS Triumph, which has been affiliated to Teignmouth since her launch, has just completed a multi-million pound refit in Devonport and is currently undergoing a period of sea training.

Astute herself has been undergoing a relentless programme of trials since her arrival on the Clyde in November 2009, including completion of her first dives, all in advance of acceptance into the fleet.

For more than a century, the Royal Navy's submarines have played a pivotal role in UK joint military operations, and they continue to exert the same modern, relevance today.

Attack submarines like Astute and HMS Triumph play an integral part in strategic intelligence gathering, protecting the UK 's strategic nuclear deterrent, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface and shipping warfare, supporting Special Forces, and land attack with Tomahawk missiles.

This dramatic image was captured by the Royal Navy's search and rescue team from HMS Gannet while on exercise nearby – the Senior Service out in force.

Astute is the largest attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy and she will spend her 25 year lifespan with Faslane as her home port. Her new Core H reactor never needs to be refuelled and her much increased firepower makes her one of the UK 's most potent means of maritime defence.

BEACH LANDING EXERCISE BY 1 ASSAULT GROUP

A training exercise, complete with Landing craft and Royal Marines took place on Tuesday (23rd) evening at the Naval Base in Plymouth.

Members of 10 Landing Craft Squadron, part of 1 Assault Group, Royal Marines (1AGRM) took part in an exercise on Wilson's Beach near Bullpoint, Plymouth.

As the light began to fade offshore, raiding craft landed on the beach and small scale arms battles took place, along with smoke grenades and thunderflashes being used. As Marines, 105mm guns and specialist vehicles were brought ashore and used in the action, simulated naval gun fire and 1000lb bombs were detonated to provide an additional air of realism.

The exercise was part of a Capability assessment of service personnel who are on a Landing Craft Vocational Course, which is the culmination of 14 weeks of Landing Craft Specialization training. Ranks from Marine up to Sergeant took part in the practical demonstration where a three day operation was crammed into one hour. As part of the assessment none of the personnel were aware of the exercise or its content until a short time before it commenced.

The scenario set was a beach where Islamic Insurgents were suspected of operating out of derelict buildings nearby. It was up to the students to plan and enact the raid to capture the insurgents whereby demonstrating all they had learnt on the course.

As well as the Landing Craft, much of the specialised amphibious equipment with which the Royal Marines depend on was on show and twenty eight men were being assessed during the exercise. Some of the participants used in the exercise alongside those being assessed from 10 Squadron came from the Commando Logistics Regiment 29 Cdo Royal Artillery and the Commando Training Centre Lympstone.

One of those being assessed was Acting Sergeant Williamson, whose role was to design the landing and then the exercise. He had to write a narrative and explain to the visitors exactly what had happened as well as direct the landing on the beach, all with only a few hours notice of the exercise.

Major Fuller, the Officer Commanding 10 Squadron spoke afterwards to say: 'Exercises like this are invaluable and Plymouth offers exceptional training opportunities. 10 Squadron is extremely fortunate to have been able to conduct its Landing Craft exercise here and looks forward to further opportunities in the future.''

ROYAL NAVY'S NEWEST WARSHIPS IN PLYMOUTH

The two newest warships in the Royal Navy are operating around the South West coast.

Pictured tied up alongside in HM Navy Base, Devonport, Plymouth, are the two Type 45 destroyers HMS Dauntless and HMS Daring, among the most modern and technologically advanced and formidable warships in the world.

HMS Daring is in Plymouth for weapon training to prepare for her Operational Sea Training under the staff of the Flag Officer Sea training organisation which begins in May. HMS Dauntless is undergoing preliminary sea and safety training with her operational sea training schedule at a later date.

HMS Daring is the first of six Type 45 destroyers which entered service with the Royal Navy last year. HMS Dauntless is the second and she made her first entry into her base port of Portsmouth this year. The Type 45 Destroyer is the largest and most powerful air defence destroyer ever built for the Royal Navy and will provide UK defence with a world-class military capability.

The prime role of the Type 45 destroyer will be air defence, protecting UK national and allied/coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles. The class will carry the UK variant of the world-leading principal anti-air missile system including the UK designed Sampson multi-function radar. This missile system, which has been named Sea Viper by the Royal Navy, will set new standards in air defence, capable of defending the Type 45 and ships in its company from multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles and aircraft.

In addition to its world class air defence, one of the Type 45's greatest assets is its versatility. The Type 45 will be able to act as a military headquarters. It is the only ship of its size in UK defence able to do this and will result is an improvement in the UK 's expeditionary capability. The Type 45 will be able to embark up to 60 troops (over and above its own complement) and their equipment, and support them with a modern medical facility that can deliver surgical capability.

The Type 45 can land helicopters up to the size of a Chinook. The ship can also take up to 700 people if necessary to support a civilian evacuation from war zones or natural disasters. The Type 45 is can also act as a multi-role, general-purpose ship on a range of world-wide maritime and joint operations.

ROYAL NAVY WARSHIP SAILS FROM DEVONPORT WITH NEW MISSILE SYSTEM

HMS Westminster has sailed from HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth , with a major boost to her firepower - following an eight-month refit at the docks. Under the £11M contract with Devonport-based major MoD partner contractor Babcock, HMS Westminster has received a major update to the Seawolf point-defence missile system. This can track an object the size of a cricket ball from 20 miles away, moving at twice the speed of sound, and then direct two missiles to destroy it. D esigned to combat the potential threat of faster, lower flying, more manoeuvrable missiles – as well as guard against future threats – this Seawolf update is due to be fitted to all Type 23 frigates.

HMS Westminster has also been fitted with a new command system controlling the weapons - the first of the Type 23 ships to receive this and the Seawolf missile system upgrade. This new command system is being installed throughout the Royal Navy's frigates, helping maximise operational capability

The new command system shares many features with those on the Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless. This helps make support of the system more efficient and minimises the need for Royal Navy personnel to retrain on different systems.

HMS Westminster commanding officer Commander Tim Green said: “I am immensely proud HMS Westminster successfully completed her ready for sea date inspection early and in such a strong material state. This achievement is testament to the hard work, commitment and strength of the Devonport partnership between Babcock Marine, Superintendent Fleet Maintenance and my ship's company. 

“During this very busy 37-week upkeep period, significant improvements to the propulsion plant and weapons systems will ensure HMS Westminster returns to the fleet as the most capable frigate in the Royal Navy.”

Westminster 's state-of-the-art Sonar 2087 system has also been updated to maintain the ship's anti-submarine warfare capability – the primary role for which the Type 23s were designed – as well as work to increase the range and performance of the 4.5-inch gun.

Other significant work included replacement of the 10 tonne main wheel in one of the ship's propulsion gearboxes and modernisation of the living quarters, making the warship ready to return to her worldwide operational duties. Captain Ian Shipperley Superintendent Fleet Maintenance Devonport said: “The effective working relationship between Babcock and the Ministry of Defence as part of a waterfront partnering arrangement has resulted in key project milestones being consistently achieved ahead of schedule, which now places the project in good shape to return to the Fleet on time. HMS Westminster is also on target to be delivered within budget.”

ROYAL NAVY SAILOR REWARDED FOR FIRE BRAVERY

A Royal Navy sailor from Plymouth has been recognised for his bravery in plunging twice into a landing craft on fire to search for possible trapped workers.

Petty Officer Richard Hicks, 36, originally from Milford Haven, has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery for saving damage to amphibious landing craft and potentially saving lives.

He was in charge of the landing craft when fire broke out while it was being worked on by civilian contractors at HM Navy Base, Devonport, Plymouth , last August. He ordered the staff out to safety, but decided to search the landing craft in case staff remained trapped in the blazing craft.

Richard snatched up a fire extinguisher and ran into the smoke-logged forward engine room to spray blindly into the darkness. When the extinguisher was empty he ran out again, grabbed a second and aimed it at the seat of the fire to suppress the flames. However, he was forced by the smoke to leave the vessel again, having emptied the second again and run out of breath. By the time he escaped safely from the craft, Devon and Somerset Fire Service arrived on the scene and confirmed the craft was fully evacuated and the fire was largely out.

Richard, who is in charge of the landing craft control centre in a navy base basin, said: “It is my responsibility to look after staff working on the craft, so their safety is my concern. Unfortunately the fire happened at lunch time, so it was not absolutely certain whether people were still around having a break.

“So when the alarm was raised I asked where everyone was and when there was some doubt if everyone was safe, I had to search the craft to make sure there was nobody trapped inside. I grabbed the fire extinguisher and rushed down to the forward engine room which was filled with smoke. I jumped down, but couldn't see anything and just sprayed into the smoke.

Then I could not breathe any more and the fire extinguisher was fully expended, so I ran out to get another one. I could not see a thing and it was hard to breath due to the smoke. But I felt extra heat on my side and aimed the hose there, hoping it was the seat of the fire. It seemed to work because lots of steam was generated and the smoke thinned.

“I had to get out again though and then the fire brigade arrived and I briefed them. They sent in teams with breathing apparatus and found out no one was inside.

“I am very proud to have this award. To be honest I did not know where the fire was when I went in there, I could have landed on top of it. Luckily it all worked out.”

The fire was non-suspicious, caused by a heater. No one was hurt.

Richard's divisional officer Lieutenant Dave Crawley said: “Richard acted in an exemplary way. He not only saved a landing craft from destruction but probably several others from damage. There was also the potential for personnel being inside, he did not know if there was anyone inside, but he acted without thinking abut his safety. He fully deserves this award.”

Richard is married to Claire and has a son aged 21 months. He also has two brothers in the Royal Navy Jonathan and Gavin Hitchcock and has been in the Royal Navy since 1990 himself. His role provides support to landing craft undergoing repairs and trials in Devonport Navy Base on behalf of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines. He ensures engineering standards are met and acts as incident manager when required. Richard has previously served in the former Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone .

ROYAL MARINE AWARDED MILITARY CROSS FOR AFGHANISTAN BRAVERY

A Royal Marine who saved lives under fire has been awarded the Military Cross, one of the highest awards for gallantry for his actions during combat operations in Afghanistan .

Warrant Officer 1 Matthew Tomlinson has been recognised for his bravery while under heavy concentrated fire by the Taleban while patrolling in an five-strong armoured Viking vehicle convoy near Bashran, Helmand Province, during Operation Herrick in May last year.

Matthew, 43, was patrolling with the Armoured Support Group, part of 3 Commando Brigade, when the lead Viking was partly blown up by a mine (an improvised explosive device).

The convoy halted and then came under sustained heavy rocket propelled grenade fire from one side from the hidden enemy.

Oblivious to his safety Matthew left his Viking and ran 50 metres to the stricken vehicle which was on fire and helped rescue the troops in the back. Not only did the troops have to avoid the fire and the possibility of the 4,000 rounds of ammunition exploding on the damaged Viking, but they had to dodge the enemy fire while aware of the ever-present danger of a second mine.

Amid this intense battle Matthew also directed return fire on to the Taleban and attended to the seriously injured driver of the damaged Viking with the help of soldiers of the Queen's Royal Hussars the Vikings were escorting. While the cab fire was spreading and ammunition was exploding they continued to administer medical care to the driver utilising the cover of the Viking.

Matthew then further risked his life by searching for a Royal Marine who had been manning the gun turret on top of the damaged Viking. He found the turret had been blown some distance away with the Marine still inside, but already dead. Running back to the Viking, he again directed return fire from supporting Welsh Guards onto the enemy. Then with help, he recovered both the driver and the turret gunner on stretchers to relative safety. The patrol then withdrew and the casualties were flown out. In the meantime the enemy fire had been suppressed.

Matthew said: “I am very proud and feel highly honoured to be recognised with the Military Cross. However, I must say that these were tragic circumstances. Also I could not have acted with the confidence I did without the assurance that I had a top team behind me. I know that if my Viking had been hit, then I know the lads would have acted in exactly the same way.

“They were effectively a band of brothers because they worked so well together. I was in charge of their welfare, morale and fighting effectiveness for seven months and I am still very proud to have served with them. The ranks of the Armoured Support Group are the real heroes.

The Viking units, whose primary role is protected mobility, act as independent patrols in their own right or escort other forces on patrol and deliver stores such as equipment, ammunition and water. They also carry out emergency medical evacuation of casualties.

Matthew now serves with I Assault Group Royal Marines in HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, as a landing craft advisor to 300 Marines. He has already served in Afghanistan and Iraq and been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for the latter. He has also served in N Ireland, Sierra Leone, Congo, Hong Kong, USA , Zaire and French Guyana.