Feb 14 Link Letter


Feb 14 Link Letter - Rackcdn.comhttps://c69011.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/fdf0c71ecceb4d358ccca2d79e7260f6-0x0.pdfDeployment bloggers keeping you up to date...

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HMS SOMERSET’s Link Letter

Inside this month’s newsletter… • Smile for the whole ship photo!

• Boarding Team training before entering the Operational Theatre

Edition 2 - 2014

From the Captain Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun! The last four Weeks since our first 2014 newsletter have flown by with HMS Somerset having crossed the Mediterranean, transited the Suez Canal, gone through the Red Sea, looked for pirates in the Gulf of Aden and passed through the Straits of Hormuz to get into the Gulf. As I write this short introduction, the ship is on patrol in the southern Gulf region providing reassurance to our allies, hunting down and disrupting illegal activity and securing the seas so the UK’s oil and gas continues to flow for you all back home. As well as all the hard work, the Ship’s Company have also found some time to enjoy themselves and a hint of this can be found within the pages of the newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading about what we have been up to during our first full month on Deployment; there’s been plenty to write home about.

• Deployment bloggers keeping you up to date

Souda Bay HMS Somerset had a working visit to Souda Bay in Crete where operational training, assurance and trials were conducted prior to leaving the Mediterranean heading East of Suez.

Ship’s Time to Smile The Ship now has a resident photographer, Leading Airman Ben Shread, on board to capture the deployment on camera. Gibraltar was the backdrop for the whole Ship photograph (on the left).

Boarding Team Training During the working visit to Souda Bay, Crete, the boarding team took the opportunity to conduct training at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Centre (NMIOTC) with the Greek Navy. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines boarding teams conducted a wide variety of training modules, varying from small arms and tactical sweep training, to crew control and advanced search techniques. The facilities and expertise at NMIOTC provided a first rate training opportunity.

Classroom instruction and weapon training gave baseline knowledge before the teams used the centre’s training ships for more adventurous serials. Using HMS Somerset’s embarked Lynx Mk8 helicopter, the teams also practiced fast-roping techniques at the nearby Charin airfield. The boarding teams returned to HMS Somerset enthused and fully tested. Lieutenant Tom Loxton, one of the Boarding Officers, said: “The last few days’ instruction have been particularly useful and built upon the skills the teams already had, taking full advantage of the expertise available at this NATO facility.”

Families Reunited at Sea Two members of the Ship’s Company were able to reunite with their siblings, who also serve at sea on board RFA Fort Austin, during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) in the Indian Ocean. Petty Officer Kristian Hughes said: “I was impressed by my brother’s life at sea, which is different to mine on a warship. It was great to see Ryan at sea.” Leading Seaman Michael Rogers was reunited with his sister Royal Navy Engineering Technician Danielle Rogers, who maintains the weapon systems onboard RFA Fort Austin. Leading Seaman Rogers said: “I am grateful that I was able to go over to Fort Austin, it was a real bonus, and I would like to thank those that made it happen. It was great to speak to my sister face to face.”

The Suez Canal: Race the Ship HMS Somerset took on what is fast becoming a RN tradition: to race the ship over the 162.5km of the Suez Canal. Leading Physical Trainer Mark Yates organised the event with 81 people each rowing 2,000m. The best time was recorded by Sergeant David Wotherspoon RM with 6 mins 51.1 secs, beating Lieutenant Tom Worley RN by just 0.1 of a second! The fastest female was Lieutenant Alexandra Karavla RN in 7 mins 35.7 secs (see picture below).

2 Cyclists 7h 46m 81 Rowers 10h 37m 31s 1 Ship 14 hours

Leading Regulator Alex Llewellyn and Regulating Petty Officer Lee Whittaker took on the second of their three challenges to raise money for the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). Between them they cycled the 162.5km and they completed the mammoth task in 7 hours and 46 minutes. You can see how much effort the gruelling task took from the before and after photos above! Find out how you can support the RNRMC at www.rnrmc.org.uk

Read All About It Some of the crew of HMS SOMERSET are keeping online blogs. Follow them at: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/Frigates/HMS-Somerset

Handover with HMS Westminster After spending six months in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf region protecting the Nation’s interests, Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster has officially handed over her duties to HMS Somerset. Whilst alongside in Fujairah, HMS Westminster transferred essential stores and key information in order to enable HMS Somerset to continue the fight against piracy, narcotics smuggling, and terrorism on the high seas. During the short but precious time spent alongside each other, members of both Ships’ Company, including the Commanding Officers, took time to speak to old friends, pass on key information about operations and port visits, as well as exchange farewells before the Ships went their separate ways. Commander Mike Smith Royal Navy, Commanding Officer, HMS Somerset said: “It has been a pleasure to meet the Captain and crew of HMS Westminster. I am tremendously impressed with what they have achieved throughout their time in the Middle East and I hope we can continue to build upon the excellent work they have done. I wish them fair winds and following seas for their return to Portsmouth to be reunited with their loved ones at the end of the month.”

Comments and suggestions for the Link Letter are welcome. Surgeon Lieutenant Jo Laird: [email protected]