HMS Monmouth to protect Iraqi oil platforms
3 Dec 09
Royal Navy warship HMS Monmouth has joined Combined Task Force Iraqi Maritime in the Gulf where she will be the lead frigate protecting the Iraqi oil platforms.
HMS Monmouth on her operational deployment in the Gulf
[Picture: LA(Phot) Stuart Hill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The security of the Iraqi platforms, which generate a significant proportion of Iraq's national income, is highly important to stability in the region.
HMS Monmouth's Commanding Officer, Commander Tony Long, said:
"HMS Monmouth will add a great deal of value to the maritime security operations in the Gulf.
"The Royal Navy trains its sailors and Royal Marines well and, as a result, the 'Black Duke' [Monmouth] is motivated and equipped to contribute to the continued security in the region."
The Combined Task Force is currently under the command of Commodore James Morse, with Commodore Chris Richards assuming command on Sunday 6 December 2009.
HMS Monmouth, a Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate, is on the latest leg of her six-month deployment.
Since her departure from Plymouth and UK waters at the end of September 2009, the ship has covered over 7,000 nautical miles and made successful port visits to Gibraltar, Alexandria, Bahrain, Kuwait City and Abu Dhabi.
HMS Monmouth's seaboat is deployed
[Picture: LA(Phot) Stuart Hill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
On her way to the Gulf, Monmouth conducted anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden during which she responded to a distress call from a yacht.
With reports from a Djibouti coastal station that the yacht was taking on large amounts of water and was in a critical condition, and no other ships capable in the vicinity, HMS Monmouth launched a search and rescue operation with her Merlin helicopter from 829 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.
After locating the yacht, which had been beached by her crew to save themselves and the craft, HMS Monmouth's priority was to alert all authorities that the yacht and crew were safe. She then recalled her helicopter. The ship immediately returned to her main task of maritime security operations.
Now in the Gulf, the ship will also contribute in a broader way to general stability in the Gulf by seeking mutual training opportunities with the Iraqi Navy and with other coalition units in the area.
Monmouth will remain on duty in the Gulf until the spring of 2010.