Navy's last surviving Falklands warship retires

The Portsmouth-based ship destroyed four Argentine aircraft - two Skyhawks and two reconnaissance planes - during the campaign.

The Type 42 destroyer was sent to the region from the Caribbean to replace her sister ship HMS Sheffield - the first major British casualty of the conflict.

A ceremony to mark the end of HMS Exeter's 29-year career, attended by many of her Falklands veterans, was held at Portsmouth Naval Base today.

Ten of her 21 former Commanding Officers were among the 325 guests at the decommissioning ceremony which was conducted by naval chaplain The Reverend James Tabor.

Commander Paul Brown, the last Commanding Officer (CO) of HMS Exeter, said today:

"Although it is always sad to see a ship go out of service, HMS Exeter has given long and loyal service and is now being replaced by the new Type 45 destroyers which bring a step change in capability. I was honoured and privileged to be the last seagoing CO of such a fine warship."

The ship's affiliate organisations, including Exeter City Council, were also represented at the ceremony.

Exeter's White Ensign was lowered for the last time during the ceremony which was rounded off in Royal Naval ceremonial fashion with the cutting of a decommissioning cake.

Built by Swan Hunter shipbuilders on the Tyne, HMS Exeter was launched in 1978 and entered service in September 1980.

She was also involved in the Gulf War of 1991, employed as an escort for a US battleship and mine countermeasures vessels off the Kuwaiti coast.

In 2005 she took part in the International Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. During her lengthy service around the globe, Exeter clocked up 892,811 nautical miles (over 1.65 million kilometres). Over the last few months she has been in a period of extended residence.

The Navy is replacing its ageing Type 42s with the far more capable Type 45 Daring class of destroyers. The first of the class - HMS Daring - made her first entry to her Portsmouth home in January and the second - HMS Dauntless - is due to arrive next year. Most of Exeter's ship's company have already been transferred to other posts across the RN fleet, including Daring and Dauntless.