Type 23 Class frigate

23rd Oct 2008

Northern Gulf – Oil Platform Protection

After a busy period of operational tasking in the Southern Gulf HMS Lancaster has now transited north and commenced her demanding operational role of patrolling the Northern Gulf. Part of Combined Task Force 158, Lancaster is charged with helping to protect the oil platforms situated within Iraq’s Territorial Waters. The oil platforms, named Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) and Khwar Al Amaya Terminal (KAAOT) are a significant source of revenue for Iraqi people, providing a significant proportion of Iraq’s Gross Domestic product and are vital to Iraq’s future and economic development.

Lancaster is also playing a pivotal role in Maritime Security Operations (MSO) as part of the multi national task force present in the region. The Task Force is collectively working hard to develop and build security in the region. For Lancaster’s Ship’s Company these are intense operations. They may be required at a moment’s notice to respond to any dhows or vessels which encroach within the exclusion zones around the oil platforms which they patrol. In order to maintain the additional level of manpower the crew have fallen into the demanding Defence Watch routine, providing manpower around the clock.

En route from the Southern Gulf Lancaster called into Bahrain again. The ship’s second visit to this port provided an opportunity for the Ship’s Company to take a brief respite from the tempo of operations, although it wasn’t all rest. Whilst alongside the ship assisted in marking the change of Command for Combined Task Force 152 by acting as the venue for the important ceremony dinner. This saw Lancaster’s Catering Services team busy at work preparing, and serving the dinner held in the Wardroom to a host of high ranking Coalition officers.

The following day also saw the ship engaged in defence diplomacy, with the ship hosting a luncheon for Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain. Having left Bahrain after her short stop, Lancaster was soon back on operations in the Northern Gulf at the oil platforms.

During her current patrol Lancaster played host to a high profile journalist, the Daily Telegraph’s Defence correspondent, Thomas Harding and the paper’s defence photographer, Heathcliff O’Malley visiting the ship in order to comment on the operation and the wider region. During their visit they also gained a valuable insight into the everyday life of a busy warship deployed on operations.

Additionally, Lancaster has also helped provide key training to Iraqi sailors based in Umm Qasr. Twelve Iraqi sailors spent the day onboard Lancaster getting to grips with life in an RN warship and gaining essential experience in damage control and fire fighting, taking part in re-entry training with charged hoses on the Quarter Deck. Having established this link with the Naval Training Team in Umm Qasr Lancaster will continue to play an important role in their training for the remainder of her deployment.

Lucky members of the crew have also had the opportunity to ‘crosspol’ and spend a morning on one of the oil platforms, providing an appreciation of the platforms and how important they are to Iraqi’s future.

As ever, internal training has continued apace in order to maintain the crew’s currency and to ensure that they are ready in all respects for any eventuality. In particular the Royal Marines element of the boarding party have been hard at work studying first aid and partaking in practical lessons given by Lancaster’s infamous ‘Doctor Nick’ and the onboard Leading Medical Assistant.

In addition to all their busy operational work, members of the crews have still found time to undertake charity work in support of the ship’s chosen charity by competing in a beard growing competition!


HMS Lancaster on station at the oil platforms in Northern Gulf [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy

HMS Somerset (F82)

Photos © Arthur Terry (shipspotting.com)

At Avonmouth/Bristol for a Service of Rememberance 29/10/08.

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Locking out from Avonmouth/Bristol 29/10/08.

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HMS Westminster (F237) being towed backwards through Tower Bridge on 24th November 2008

Photos © david_s (shipspotting.com)


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HMS Portland (F79) leaving Gibraltar. (25/11/2008 )

Photos © J J Fernandez (shipspotting.com)


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HMS Kent (F78)

Leaving Gibraltar after a short stay for refueling and en route to Iraq. 14/06/2009

Photos © J J Fernandez (shipspotting.com)

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Voici des superbes photos du HMS PORTLAND (F 79) à la mer

Photo PACODIME (du site fotosdebarcos.com)




Voir toutes les photos sur ---> www.fotosdebarcos.com

HMS Northumberland (F238) - Naples, Italy on 22nd November 2010

Photos © Moolen (shipspotting.com)

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Je trouve ce type de frégate particulièrement réussi

09/01/12

Thales : la frégate britannique HMS Kent dotée de son nouveau sonar

Thales a fourni un septième système sonar 2087 à la frégate anglaise de Type 23 'HMS Kent', dans le cadre du programme de modernisation représentant plusieurs millions de livres sterling signées avec la Royal Navy. Le groupe d'électronique et de défense souligne que la combinaison de ce système avec le sonar Thales FLASH équipant l'hélicoptère Merlin embarqué sur la frégate offre "une formidable plateforme de lutte anti sous-marine".

Source : Finance Plus

Royal navy frigate HMS SOMERSET (F82) in Malta (Valletta) - 12.02.2012

Photos © Emmanuel.L (shipspotting.com)

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La frégate HMS Sutherland (F81) escorte le destroyer russe RFS Vice-Admiral Kulakov (626) durant son transit dans la Manche


by Александр Лысенко, sur Flickr

by Александр Лысенко, sur Flickr

by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/117208901@N02/]Александр Лысенко, sur Flickr

Retour au port ce matin de la frégate HMS Sutherland (F81) après avoir escorté le destroyer russe RFS Vice-Admiral Kulakov (626)

https://twitter.com/CdrePaulHalton/status/807574455413248000

la frégate HMS Westminster (F237) est de retour après 18 mois d’arrêt pour modernisation