HMS Ledbury change of command

On the 5th December 2016, Lt Cdr James Harkin RN assumed Command of HMS Ledbury and MCM2 Crew 7.

He takes over the Portsmouth-based mine hunter whilst the ship is at high readiness to respond to any underwater threat to the UK. 

The ship will then undertake a busy period of operational sea training in Scotland before deploying on operations next year.

Lt Cdr Harkin joined the Royal Navy in 2006 and has served in a number of ships across the world, from the Far East to the South Atlantic. 

He was a bridge watchkeeper in HMS Somerset where he conducted over 250 boardings off the Iraqi coast and trained boarding teams in Brunei and Yemen.

He navigated HMS Sutherland for operations in the Middle East, including naval gunfire into Libya in 2011.

He was a Principal Warfare Officer in HMS Northerumberland for operations in the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean where the ship conducted maritime security operations.

In 2015 he joined the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood as the Desk Officer for military operations in Europe, notably Ukraine and Bosnia.

Lt Cdr Harkin said: “It is an honour to have been selected to command Crew 7 on HMS Ledbury. I join at the beginning of the process which prepares us for a frontline deployment next year.

“We will be away from our base port for 8 of the coming 12 months, so my priority will be balancing our operational tasking whilst ensuring the best possible balance for my Ship’s Company and their families.

“The Royal Navy remains committed to keeping trade routes open to the UK and my ship will play a pivotal role in that mission.”