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We are Land, Sea and Air.

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        HMS Chiddingfold

        HMS Chiddingfold

        HMS Chiddingfold is one of eight Hunt-class minehunters in the Royal Navy which make up Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCM2) based in Portsmouth. At the forefront of modern Naval operations, she returned from the Gulf in August 2011 after a three and a half year deployment.

        It is very exciting for us to see the new engines being put into Chiddingfold after months of preparation.

        Lieutenant Peter Davis, the ship’s executive officer
        HMS Chiddingfold

        During her time away she completed route survey, sea-bed clearance, and mine clearance operations in former mined areas whilst furthering the UK’s relationships in the region by engagement with local states.

        She is capable of being deployed anywhere in the world to ensure the security of vital sea lines of communication by identifying minelike contacts with her 2193 Sonar and disposing of them with either the Seafox Mine Disposal System or her Clearance Diving Element.

        'Cheery Chid,' as she is known, was built by Vosper Thornycroft and launched on 6 October 1983, commisioning into the Royal Navy a year later.

        HMS Chiddingfold is currently crewed by MCM2 Crew 5 and is the first Hunt-class minehunter to undergo the Hunt Re-propulsion Programme which will see her propulsion systems replaced and upgraded by more modern Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines. 

        COMMANDING OFFICER

        Richard Rees

        RANK:
        Lieutenant Commander
        JOINED:
        SPECIALISATION:
        PREVIOUS UNITS:
        Military experience


        OPERATIONS

        Maintenance

        CURRENT STATUS: active
        image
        MISSION SUMMARY

        In maintenance: Currently undergoing an upkeep period to prepare the ship for continued duties with the Fleet by maintaining and improving our engines, weapons and communications systems.

        Operation Gulf MCMV

        CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED
        image
        MISSION SUMMARY

        In support of wider British efforts in the region, minehunters are providing the capability to conduct route survey, sea-bed clearance, and mine clearance operations all over the Gulf. The operation also aims to provide a visible naval presence in a region where stability and good relations with local nations is vital. Much of the UK’s oil and gas, as well as other products, come from the Gulf region and as such these efforts are of vital importance to our economy and lifestyle.

        LATEST NEWS

         

        TOP STORIES

        Evening Action Stations
        Sailors singled out for bravery and dedication
        23 March 2012

        The men and women of the Royal Navy have won...

        New engines for HMS Chiddingfold
        Minehunter’s upgrade reaches major milestone
        12 March 2012

        A year-long upgrade for Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Chiddingfold has reached...

        HMS Chiddingfold's Home Coming
        Cheers for Cheery Chid as minehunter completes lengthy Gulf mission
        18 August 2011

        HMS Chiddingfold's three-and-a-half year minehunting mission in the Gulf has...

        Jordan visit for minehunters as ships swap places
        05 August 2011

        UK minehunters HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Grimsby visited Aqaba in...

        ABOUT THE UNIT

        KEY STATISTICS


        Pennant

        M37

        Displacement

        685tonnes

        Complement

        45personnel

        Length

        60Metres

        Beam

        10metres

        Draught

        3.4metres

        Top Speed

        15knots

        Range (Nautical)

        1500miles

        Launch Date

        06/10/83

        Commissioned date

        10/08/84

        Equivalent Length

        316DVD Cases

        TAKE A LOOK

        Chiddingfold "Cheery Chid"

        UNITS IN TIME


        HMS Chiddingfold HISTORY

        TRACK THE HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED HMS Chiddingfold
        • Operations in the Fjords

          Chiddingfold entered the fleet in 1941 and was soon into the thick of the conflict, training for the commando raids on Lofotens in Norway, Operation Archery. She escorted the amphibious ships to the Norwegian coast, entering Vaagsfjord leading the formation, and proceeded to lay down a smoke screen for the force, while the shore bombardment commenced. When withdrawing from the area Chiddingfold was attacked by Heinekel aircraft twice, but survived, and escaped to Scapa Flow.

        • Escort Duties

          Between 1942 and 1944 the ship was involved in escort duties in Scotland between the Clyde and Iceland, before being tasked with supporting convoys operating in and around the Mediterranean. She was based in Malta briefly, following a refit to give her new sophisticated radar for gunnery.

        • Returning to Britain

          She was involved in supporting Allied activity in Italy before being released from the Med Fleet in 1945 and returning to Britain. Here she was put to good use, hunting the submarines and mine laying boats of the Kriegsmarine which tried to disrupt Allied supplies through the Scheldt Estuary following the D-Day landings. The Atlantic Convoys were re-routed into the Channel once the German U-Boat threat had been contained earlier in the war, and Chiddingfold was involved in escorting them to their destination on the European mainland.

        Current Jobs

        Defence Technical Non Grade Scheme (Marine Engineering)

        The engineering branch includes weapons  marine and air engineering. Marine Engineers manage the repair and maintenance of the ships electrical and mechanical systems alongside and at sea.  Later in your career you will become involved in the procurement and building...
        More info

        Marine Engineering Grad Entry

        The Engineering Branch includes weapons, marine and air engineering. Marine Engineers manage the repair and maintenance of the ships mechanical and hydraulic systems alongside and at sea. Later in your career you will become involved in the procurement and building of...
        More info