HMS Richmond returns home after Gulf deployment
31 Jul 09
Royal Navy warship HMS Richmond has been welcomed back to the UK after returning from the Middle East where she spent six-and-a-half months supporting two security operations.
HMS Richmond returns to Portsmouth after six-and-a-half months in the Middle East
[Picture: LA(Phot) Chris Mumby, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The Type 23 frigate and her 200 crew left Portsmouth in January and returned on 29 July 2009 after six months patrolling busy shipping lanes in the Gulf and Red Sea.
HMS Richmond spent the majority of time in the Gulf in support of Operation TELIC, providing force protection against insurgent attacks in the area. The operation includes the security of Iraqi maritime infrastructure by protecting the country's two oil-exporting platforms which are vital to its economy.
While en route to the region, HMS Richmond carried out anti-piracy patrols in the Red Sea in support of Operation CALASH.
Her Commanding Officer, Commander Mark Southorn, said he was proud of the performance of his personnel under challenging conditions:
"I'm extremely proud of the sailors on HMS Richmond who have worked so hard over the past seven months. Their contribution has been exceptional and I wish them a really good and well-earned leave with their family and friends."
Commander Mark Southorn, Commanding Officer of HMS Richmond, was met on the ship's gangway by his wife and children
[Picture: LA(Phot) Chris Mumby, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
It wasn't all patrolling at sea however - the ship conducted a number of defence diplomacy visits to numerous countries in the region. They included Dubai, near to the former Cunard liner QE2's berth, and the port of Al Jubail in Saudi Arabia, which was the first time a British warship had visited there in five years.
While in Saudi Arabia the ship hosted a luncheon for Rear Admiral Al Hamdan, Commandant of the Saudi Arabian Eastern Fleet, as well as numerous other high ranking members of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Naval Force, and thirty British schoolchildren from the local English school went onboard for an action-packed tour of the ship.
Among other things, they were treated to a tour of the helicopter, as well as getting a chance to dress up as a Royal Marine or as a member of the firefighting team.
During a visit to Kuwait the ship hosted an official reception with His Royal Highness The Duke of York as the guest of honour.
There was also time for some fun and sporting activities. HMS Richmond's football team played a match against the Saudi Arabian Military Police and while in the Gulf one member of the ship's company, Chief Petty Officer Dave Hamlyn, ran the equivalent distance from Richmond in London to Richmond in North Yorkshire and back again - a total of 600 miles (966km) - on the ship's upper deck. The 37-year-old's efforts raised more than £3,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.