Ascension Day for HMS Montrose

The island has always had strong very strong links with the military ever since HMS Zenobia and HMS Peruvian first anchored in English Roads on 22nd October 1815; these strong military links continue today with Ascension supporting the airbridge which provides the vital link between the United Kingdom and the British Forces in the South Atlantic.

Launching her Lynx helicopter for a dawn patrol of the island’s waters, Montrose dropped anchor a few hours later in the crystal clear waters just off Georgetown; the first RN warship to do so since 2006.

The day started with the Commanding Officer, Commander Jonathan Lett, flying ashore to call on Her Majesty’s representative, The Administrator, His Honour Mr Colin Wells. Meanwhile, at Wideawake Airfield (RAF Ascension) the task of transferring personnel, 600kg of essential spares and 16kg of mail out to the Ship was undertaken in short order using the Lynx.

The aim was always to maximise interaction with the civilian rather than the military community and groups from both Two Boats School and the 1st Ascension Island Scout Group took boat tours around the Ship at anchor, led by young sailors from HMS Montrose.

Towards the end of the morning, focus shifted to the infamous ‘Dew Pond Run’.

Led by the Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Peter Laughton MBE, 43 intrepid members of the Ship’s Company were transferred ashore ready to undertake this arduous challenge.

At around 8 miles, and rising from sea level up to 2817 feet, the run snakes from the island’s shore in Georgetown, through the tropical vegetation of Green Mountain up to the Dew Pond at the top.

40 of the runners reached the finish line, with AB Harris and AB Maher coming joint first in a time of 1hr 25min, and ABs Wilson and Burge not far behind having carried a 25kg Bergan the length of the course.

The run would not have been possible without the superb support of the local police and medics who were on hand to ensure it went smoothly.

The race is normally only run twice a year but this additional event was arranged especially for HMS Montrose.

Speaking as the runners recovered at the summit, Lieutenant Commander Laughton commented:

“This is the second time I have undertaken the Dew Pond run; I was last here in 2006 with HMS Edinburgh.

"This time we have had almost double the number of runners and I am thrilled that such a large number of the Ship’s Company have risen to the challenge; it is another fantastic example of the Montrose spirit in action.”

While the runners were battling their way to the summit of Green Mountain, the CO welcomed the Administrator, members of the Island Council and key figures from the local community on board.

They were given a tour of the Ship, focusing on the range of flexible capabilities Montrose has to offer, before discussing the varied nature of the current deployment with the Ship’s Officers over afternoon tea.

Reflecting on the visit, Commander Lett said:

“It was always my aspiration to visit every one of the British Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic Ocean during the course of this deployment; this has started with Ascension where we received an incredibly warm welcome from the civilian community.”