ROYAL NAVY AND ARMY EXCHANGE GUN SALUTE

Visitors and residents in Plymouth are advised they will hear loud bangs in the city on Thursday morning (July 15) when the Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose and the Plymouth Citadel exchange a gun-fire salute.

The Devonport-based warship will sail out of the naval base at about 10am and the11-gun salute will happen about half an hour later. The ship will fire her main gun responded to by the Army regiment based in the Citadel - 29 Commando Royal Artillery - the ship's affiliated Army unit.

On board the Type 23 frigate will be families and friends of the crew and they will be treated to a rare day at sea on board a Royal Navy warship. The special guests are on board to witness how a warship operates under various scenarios. These events will be staged to help train the crew and to give families an insight into what their loved ones do when deployed overseas and to see where they live in the ship. Organisations which give support to families of those deployed will also be on board to increase awareness of their services, should they be needed.

The trip will include a presentation of three prizes to crew members who graduated from HMS Raleigh's Defence Maritime Logistics School prizes: i) Anthony Cavanagh Memorial Trophy for the student who contributed the most towards teamwork, Naval ethos and morale during personnel administration training throughout 2009 (Writer Amy Croston); ii) McJimpsey trophy for the student who achieved the best overall performance during catering services delivery training for 2009 (Steward Hollie Davis); Worshipful Company of Cooks Catering Student of the Year 2009 for achieving the best overall performance during catering services preparation training in 2009 (Chef Debbie Cole). The awards will be presented by the ship's captain Commander Jonathan Lett.

SWIMMERS SUPPORT DISABLED TREKKERS MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE

Staff at Devonport Naval Base took part in a sponsored charity swim in the HMS Drake swimming pool to raise money for disabled people planning to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.

The swim supports the charity Limb Power which is organising the trek to give amputees the opportunity of a life time, to climb Kilimanjaro.

Colin Davies (ex-Royal Navy) organised the swim to help raise awareness of the charity and also boost funds to take eight adventurous people on the climb who have had limbs amputated.

The swimmers donated £5 to take part and swim at least 40 lengths (1,000m). However, Collin's aim was to swim 200 lengths (5,000m), which he achieved. Colin said: “I'd like to thank everyone who donated and swam - all of the money is going to a good cause.”

The Kilimanjaro expedition will take place on the 14 th – 24 th October 2010. If you would like more information on this hike, please go to the charity website:

http://www.charitychallenge.com/expedition.html?id=1231

The amputee games, also formed by Limb Power gives athletes the chance to take part in volleyball, basketball, tennis, badminton, bowling, swimming, cycling, rowing, fencing, power lifting, shooting and many more. This event will be held on the 14 th – 15 August 2010.

For more information, e-mail: info@limdpower.com

NEWEST WARSHIP PASSES TOUGH TEST IN THE SOUTH WEST

The Royal Navy's HMS Daring, the most advanced warship in the world, has passed her first test of teamwork under simulated battle and emergency conditions.

The destroyer has been in HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, training under the most testing programme of training with staff from Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) based in the naval base – culminating in a realistic war scenario at sea with other ships, submarines and aircraft.

For several weeks the ship has been put through her paces in the coast off Devon and Cornwall to show how her crew can cope under the most testing conditions with trainers throwing every scenario they can at her including attack from above and below water and fires and floods and casualties that can follow.

The ship features the cutting edge of technology in terms of weapons and detection systems and other electronic equipment, making her a formidable foe and ally.

Despite all the world-beating technology, it is the humans on board and the forging of a team that can work it all and fight and work together that makes a warship effective as a fighting unit – that is what the FOST training is achieving.

The crew of Devonport-based helicopter carrier HMS Ocean held a 'Race for Life' charity fun run to raise more than £500 for Cancer Research.

The ship's event, which was organised by officer cadets Lucy Ashton and Rachel Turner, took place as HMS Ocean made her way across the Atlantic as part of the Exercise Auriga deployment.

About 100 competitors took part in the five km race, which involved running 12 laps of the huge 200-metre long flight deck. With many of the runners choosing to wear fancy dress, the flight deck was turned into a sea of pink and taffeta.

HMS Ocean is part of the UK Amphibious Task Group which is currently heading for the United States where they will join HMS Ark Royal and the UK Carrier Strike Group later this month for Exercise Auriga, working alongside the US Navy and Marines.

In September 2008 Ocean returned to sea following a £35 million refit carried out by Babcock Marine at HM Naval Base Devonport. Following an intensive period of operational sea training, she left the UK in February 2009 as part of the Taurus 09 task group, which formed the Royal Navy's biggest deployment to the Far East in more than a decade. In February this year HMS Ocean conducted cold weather amphibious training in the Arctic Circle and off the coast of Devon, in preparation for her current deployment to the US.

AMPHIBIOUS TASK GROUP HEADS FOR THE USA

The Royal Navy's amphibious flagship, HMS Albion has sailed from Devonport, Plymouth, leading the UK's amphibious Task Group for exercises with the United States Marine Corps and navy off the East coast of the USA.

The helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, also based at HM Naval Base Devonport is due to sail this morning to join the amphibious task group - part of the larger Auriga exercise deployment which includes an aircraft carrier strike group led by the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

The focus of attention for Plymouth-based Commander Amphibious Task Group and Stonehouse Barracks staff from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will be a series of exercises in the challenging terrain of Camp Lejeune in North Virginia. The amphibious task group began the year with Exercise Cold Response in Norway. The hot and humid climate of the swamplands of the eastern USA will provide training in a very different environment.

Commodore Paul Bennett, Commander Amphibious Task Group, said: “I am delighted to be leading some of the UK's most capable warships in this important exercise where we will refresh our working practices with US amphibious forces.”

The amphibious task group, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary logistics landing ship Largs Bay, will arrive in late June and will be joined by an impressive force of US warships including the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit – over 8000 US Navy personnel and marines. The US and UK force will conduct familiarisation training before tackling a scenario loosely based on tackling an aggressor nation threatening regional stability in a fictional part of the globe but centred on the excellent training facilities offered in Camp Lejeune.

Bickleigh Barracks-based 42 Commando Royal Marines and elements of 29 Commando Royal Artillery, from Plymouth's Citadel, and Stonehouse-based 30 Commando Royal Marines and personnel and helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton will also take place.

Exercise Auriga is part of a series of training exercises that will build on the UK's ability to conduct small-scale focused Intervention operations anywhere in the world, delivering amphibious forces supported by air power from the Joint Harrier Force.

The short deployment will last until mid-August when most of the ships will return to the UK .

HMS SOMERSET TO DEPLOY TO THE ARABIAN GULF

HMS Somerset was given a warm send-off by families and friends today (Wednesday) when she deployed from her homeport of Devonport, Plymouth, to the Arabian Gulf for six months.

The deployment takes the Type 23 frigate on Operation Telic to provide security to Iraqi offshore oil infrastructure, vital to the Iraqi economy and the reconstruction effort of the coalition campaign.

HMS Somerset's Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Burns said: “My ship's company are well prepared and looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. We depart from the UK confident that we can deliver every aspect of our mission to a high standard, contribute to security in the Middle East and maintain the strong reputation of the UK and Royal Navy in the region.”

Having completed a demanding period of operational sea training under the Devonport-based Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, the ship and her crew are at the highest level of readiness to deliver this task and a range of activity in support of UK objectives.

The ship's equipment is also in first rate condition after an extensive maintenance period supported by the Devonport dockyard team. The ship's preparations culminated in successful missile firings of her Seawolf point defence missile system.

During her deployment HMS Somerset will support Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean , providing reassurance and reinforcing freedom of navigation, and conduct counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. She will also participate in a variety of multi- national exercises and support UK strategic interests in the Middle East .

HMS TRIUMPH RETURNS TO THE FLEET

The Royal Navy's youngest Trafalgar-Class submarine HMS Triumph hosted 750 people at a ceremony to mark the vessel's return to the operational fleet after nuclear re-fuelling and equipment upgrade.

The rededication ceremony is a traditional part of any Royal Naval ship or submarine's life as she completes a period of refit and improvement. The event marked HMS Triumph's ceremonial return to the fleet after her £300 million pound overhaul period ensuring she is ready and able to meet the United Kingdom's varied commitments across the world.

Lady Anne Hamilton, of Epsom, was guest of honour at the rededication ceremony at HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth. Lady Hamilton became the submarine's sponsor in 1991 when she launched HMS Triumph. Her husband, Lord Archie Hamilton, was the Secretary State for Defence at the time.

The submarine sailed earlier this year in March having refuelled her nuclear reactor, providing enough power for the planned remaining 12-15 years of her life. She has also undergone a number of significant improvements to her sonar suite and Tomahawk Cruise Missile capability.

HMS Triumph's commanding officer, Commander Rob Dunn, said: "It was a very special day for HMS Triumph and her ship's company. It marks the end of a long refit and a welcome return to the fleet at a time when our submarine force is working stretched throughout the world. She is the newest of our operational submarines and emerges armed to the teeth with the latest equipment and weaponry that will provide a potent presence worldwide for many years to come. I am very proud to be in command of such a fine vessel with such a fine crew and hope that together we shall live up to our motto ‘We Shall Triumph.”

The ceremony included a parade ground inspection and speeches before a buffet lunch was hosted inside the senior non-commissioned officers' mess. The commanding officer's wife, Trish, cut the rededication cake with the youngest member of the ship's company, Engineering Technician Matthew Corner, 18.

Members of the submarine's affiliated Sea Cadet Units, TS Exmouth and TS Amazon (of Hinckley), were on parade with the ship's company and were the first guests to have the opportunity to visit the refitted submarine.

The first phase of her sea trials was successfully completed around the coast of Scotland and is now ready to complete the next stage of operational sea training.

AMPHIBIOUS WAR SHIPHMS BULWARK IN DRY DOCK

The Plymouth-based amphibious warship HMS Bulwark is high and dry in HM naval Base Devonport for a refit.

The advanced command-and-control ship with the floodable internal dock, off-loaded her crew and their equipment safely on dry land before the ship was squeezed into a dry dock – the first step in a £30 million refit. The 18,000-tonne hull was left clear of the water for the first time since her November 2001 launch. Babcock Marine, the primary refit contractor and the ship's sailors gently manoeuvred the assault ship slowly through the dock entrance with less than a meter to spare each side.

With the ship's structure already looking more like a complicated scaffolding construction than a modern warship, the next six months will see a busy time where she will undergo a wide variety of equipment, machinery upgrades and accommodation improvements. The now entirely visible hull will also be benefiting from a shiny new coat of anti-fouling paint which is technologically designed to reduce the effects of friction on the hull to generate more speed through the water using less fuel.

Captain Gavin Pritchard: “This docking event marks a large milestone in the longevity of service for HMS Bulwark and the internal dock. The smooth running collaboration between Babcock Marine and my ship's company means we are on schedule to enhance HMS Bulwark overall operational capability. Also, very importantly, to improve the living standards onboard for our sailors and marines.”

HMS Bulwark is due to be re-floated in September and will begin sea trials of the equipment upgrades early in 2011.

ROYAL NAVY EXERCISES WITH OMANI NAVY

Two Royal Navy ships has been exercising with the Royal Navy of Oman along with other coalition force vessels and aircraft in the Gulf of Oman.

Exercise Khunjar Hadd involved warships and aircraft, including frigate HMS Northumberland and survey ship HMS Enterprise, allowing several nations to practise dealing with multi-threats.

The warships came under simulated attack from Royal Air Force of Oman F16s to give pilots and the warships to rehearse the challenging high speed and low level tactics of maritime warfare. This co-operation was not limited to traditional warfare skills but also included various boarding operations that have become a familiar part of the regional efforts to disrupt and deter piracy, smuggling, and terrorist linked activities.

HMS Northumberland's Royal Marine detachment and Royal Navy boarding teams were particularly glad of the opportunity to be put to the test and a lot was learned. Normally operating in isolation on surveying tasks, HMS Enterprise was able to demonstrate her role as a ‘multi-role' survey vessel, using state-of-the-art survey system and mine warfare and amphibious capabilities.

Focusing on more traditional naval skills, the presence of a large number of warships in one place allowed a rare chance for all ships completing complicated synchronised manoeuvring in confined sea space. This is more difficult than it looks and normally ensures a few nervous moments for officers of the watch and their bridge teams.

The exercise completed with the traditional sail-past and an agreement from all involved that the exercise had been a great success in advancing both warfare skills and understanding and cooperation between the nations involved.

ROYAL NAVY DIVERS RECEIVE TOP AWARD

Two Royal Navy divers on board the Plymouth-based warship HMS Cornwall have achieved a top diving qualification by diving in exotic locations throughout the world.

Leading Seaman Steve Murphy and Engineering Technician Rebecca King were presented with their qualifications after diving at the Seychelles, Salalah, Malta, Gibraltar and then back to the UK to complete their Dive Master qualification. The PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) qualification was presented by Mr Simon Chance (Manager, PADI International Resort on board HMS Cornwall.

This was a proud moment for the two sailors who achieved their Master Diver Status, whilst also being involved in day-to-day operations during their normal jobs.  To gain the qualification they had to complete a certain number of dives within a set period - 50 dives in seven months.

HMS Cornwall was deployed from the UK in the middle of 2009. Their first diving opportunity was in Dubai in August where both divers completed approved open water courses. On this trip both divers were given a once in a lifetime dive experience in the Dubai Aquarium with sand tiger sharks, rays, a whale and a variety of other fish. An historical trip was made in Malta to visit HMS MAORI, a Tribal Class Destroyer sunk during the Second World War and the divers completed wreck and equipment speciality courses. 

HMS Cornwall is one of four type 22 frigates ships and her purpose is to carry out anti-submarine operations from helicopter. She was launched in 1985 by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Royal Navy survey ship HMS Scott has returned to Devonport after six months on deployment to the southern hemisphere for the summer.

The deep-water survey ship deployed on 26 October after training by Devonport-based Flag Officer Training organisation visited Tenerife and Montevideo to attend a series of high profile events to commemorate the Seventieth Anniversary of the Battle of the River Plate. Her final port of call was Simon's Town in South Africa before heading home.

Her Commanding Officer; Gary Hesling said: “It is good to be back home with our families. It has been a demanding, yet hugely successful deployment and indeed shows that we have a truly flexible and global Royal Navy.”

 As well as carrying out her primary role of ocean surveying, the ship completed operations in Antarctica and the Atlantic . She will be back to sea to carry out survey operations in June after visiting Cardiff to commemorate Antarctic explorer Captain Scott's ill-fated journey to the Antarctic.

In total HMS Scott steamed 31,275 miles, issued 425 sea sickness tablets, served some 6,487 English breakfasts, and encountered sea temperatures between 1 and 31°C.

HMS Scott can operate in a variety of environments, almost anywhere in the world, a fact that she proved by surveying between Antarctica and the Equator.

As she left the Antarctic, HMS Scott travelled to the warmer waters of Simon's Town, near Cape Town , from where some of the ship's company flew home and others re-joined the ship as the crew watch manning was rotated.

Also in South Africa , the ship received engineering work and navigation and weapons training with the support of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, based in Devonport, Plymouth.

HMS Scott is the Royal Navy's deep-water ocean survey vessel. She is the sixth largest vessel in the Royal Navy fleet, at 13,500 tons. Her size is a consequence of her unique sonar fit, capable of surveying the deepest oceans in continuous lines of up to 400 miles in length. She was commissioned in 1997.

The ship operates crew rotation with 52 onboard at any one time during a standard 35-day operational cycle. The ship therefore, maximises its operational availability, being at sea for 307 days a year.