The Type 42 destroyer, which left from the naval base yesterday, Thursday 11 June 2009, received a special visit prior to deployment from HRH The Duchess of Gloucester - the ship's sponsor who launched the ship in 1982.
The Duchess met members of the ship's company and wished them well on their mission to provide reassurance to the people of the Falkland Islands and other British South Atlantic Territories.
HMS Gloucester's Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Commander Douggie Ward, said:
"It was certainly a morale booster and the Duchess enjoyed getting an update on HMS Gloucester's recent activities and hearing about all the training that has gone on to make sure we are all ready for the deployment."
Once in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands, HMS Gloucester will lead the Royal Navy presence in the South Atlantic - which includes the patrol vessel HMS Clyde and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Gold Rover - in support of the region's Commander of British Forces.
HMS Gloucester's Commanding Officer, Commander Iain Lower, said:
"This deployment follows on from a huge amount of effort and work by my ship's company and our supporting organisations in the UK. The varied tasks that we will be required to undertake are of vital importance to the safety and security of the people of the British South Atlantic Territories and the UK's wider maritime interests.
"In addition to whatever tasking awaits us we are all excited at this fantastic opportunity to sail to the other end of the world and to experience the diverse delights of crossing the equator."
Commander Iain Lower, HMS Gloucester's Commanding Officer
"While we will, of course, miss our families and loved ones at home our minds remain focused on the task in hand and we hope that those we leave behind will follow our progress through the deployment on the ship's webpage.
"In addition to whatever tasking awaits us we are all excited at this fantastic opportunity to sail to the other end of the world and to experience the diverse delights of crossing the equator."
The Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth has made the most of HMS Gloucester's trip south, using her as a convenient courier as there is a need to deliver several artefacts for display at the Falkland Islands Museum in Port Stanley.
Stephen Courtney from the RN Museum said:
"The Falklands Museum has difficulty in producing large photographic images, so we agreed to loan them some of ours, and other exhibits, which were used during our exhibition in 2007 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict."
After completing her six-month operational tour, HMS Gloucester will return to the UK in December 2009.