Key Olympic security missions for Ocean and Bulwark

Britain's flagship and her biggest warship will both be used to provide a shield of security for next year’s Olympics.

HMS Ocean will be moored at Greenwich as a helicopter base for Lynx and Pumas, while assault ship HMS Bulwark will be in Weymouth Bay for the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics as a floating command centre for protecting sailing events.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond today announced widespread military involvement in security arrangements for next year’s sporting spectacular which will see up to 13,500 personnel involved at its peak.

Mr Hammond told MPs that although the police would be in overall charge of security arrangement, the Government had agreed that the Armed Forces should provide significant support from participation in ceremonial events and logistical assistance to wide-ranging security duties.

To that end, the Forces involvement in the Games includes:

• 5,000 personnel supporting the police and other civilian authorities such as bomb disposal teams, military working dogs and RN support to maritime policing;
• 1,000-strong unarmed ‘contingency force’ to be deployed in the event of a civil emergency during the Games;
• 1,000 personnel providing logistical support
• up to 7,500 personnel providing venue security
• up to four dozen Naval personnel representing the Senior Service as flag bearer parties at opening and closing ceremonies, plus medal presentations
• HMS Ocean will be moored on the Thames at Greenwich to provide accommodation and logistical support while her flight deck will accommodate RAF Pumas and Army and Fleet Air Arm Lynx which will work with RAF Typhoon jets, based temporarily at RAF Northolt, to provide airspace security;
• flagship HMS Bulwark off Weymouth will provide a maritime command centre for the security effort. She’ll also be used by helicopters and as a base for small boats.

The latter mission is not new for the RN; during the 2005 Fleet Review a plethora of Royal Marines’ raiding and landing craft helped to successfully form a shield around the 170 warships gathered in the Solent to celebrate the bicentenary of Trafalgar.

Seven years later and Mr Hammond said every effort was being made to safeguard the 2012 Games so that competitors and audiences alike could enjoy it peacefully.

The Defence secretary said:

“Next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games are once-in-a-generation events for the UK.

"We want them to be secure so that all those competing and attending can enjoy the Games for the celebration of sporting achievement and cultural celebration that it is.

“I am proud to announce the role our Armed Forces will play in support of the police, organising committee and others in delivering a safe and secure Games.

“I have no doubt that they will do a fantastic job – and I look forward to their professionalism and agility being on show on the world stage once again.”