Navy Commander takes charge of NATO maritime force

Commander Davies relieved Belgian Commander Serge Ots who has commanded the force since January 2007. A change of command ceremony took place in Zeebrugge on Thursday 10 January 2008 with the Devonport Royal Navy survey ship HMS Roebuck assuming flagship duties for the force from the Belgian BNS Godetia.

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, Royal Navy, Commander of the Allied Maritime Component Command, Northwood, Middlesex, said:

"The concept of the Standing Naval Mine Countermeasures Group 1 is without doubt a notable success and an exemplary demonstration of NATO's true value in today's changing world.  The group this year has had a highly successful year marking, identifying and disposing of dangerous ordnance. This ordnance is a direct threat to seafarers and economic lifelines that the maritime sector provides our nations."

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 is an integral part of the NATO Response Force and consists of HMS Roebuck, HMS Hurworth, FGS Weilheim (Germany), BNS Primula (Belgium), and LVNS Imanta (Latvia). This year's schedule includes live mine clearance operations in the North and Baltic seas and demanding exercises including Loyal Mariner 2008 off the Spanish coast in June, bringing together ships, aircraft and submarines in a joint exercise under the responsibility of Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.

Bulwark takes on high readiness role

Meanwhile Devonport-based Royal Navy amphibious warship HMS Bulwark has relieved her sister ship, HMS Albion, as the Fleet Amphibious Flagship and high readiness assault ship. In a short ceremony the Commander of the UK Maritime Force, Rear Admiral George Zambellas, witnessed the transfer of responsibilities between the two ships.

During her 18 months as the flagship HMS Albion had a busy and demanding period including time on operations and exercises with allied navies in the Baltic.

HMS Bulwark's first job in her new role will be to act as the flagship for the staff of Plymouth-based units Commodore Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines during Exercise Armatura Borealis due to take place in Norway in February and March.

Commander of the Amphibious Task Group, Commodore Phil Jones, said:

"The handover ceremony serves as a fitting tribute to the hard work of HMS Albion over the last 18 months as the Fleet Amphibious Flagship, which has seen activity from the west coast of Africa to the Baltic, whilst formally welcoming HMS Bulwark back to the very heart of the amphibious task group after a busy period of upkeep and sea training.

"To the ship's company of HMS Albion I would like to say thank you for all your efforts and in particular the support you have given to my staff during your tenure as the flagship. To HMS Bulwark I would like to say congratulations on your successful return to operational status. I look forward to the imminent first embarkation of the full COMATG and HQ 3 Commando Brigade staffs for amphibious exercises in Norway, as we hone our capability and readiness for a range of contingent expeditionary operations."

HMS Bulwark is the Royal Navy's newest commando assault and command and control ship. Launched in November 2001, she has a ship's company of 390, a quarter of whom are made up from 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines. The ship can carry up to 700 troops and her flight deck can take two Chinook or two Merlin helicopters. A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft - with another four carried on davits on the ship's side.