The Royal Navy’s Squadron of Scottish mine hunters have a new Commanding Officer.
The First Mine Counter Measures Squadron (MCM1), which is based at HM Naval Base Clyde, operates a fleet of seven Sandown Class vessels each of them equipped with the latest in mine hunting technology.
On June 21, outgoing Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Davey, handed-over the top spot to Commander Jools Howe after two years in the post.
Commander Howe has recently returned from a six-month tour in Bahrain as Commander United Kingdom Mine Countermeasures Force, or COMUKMCMFOR.
During that time he was the Adaptive Force Commander, leading the UK / US coalition force in the Gulf which consisted of eight mine hunters, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Cardigan Bay, specialist explosive disposal divers with their unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, and the US mine hunting helicopters.
“It is an honour and a privilege to assume Command of MCM1 here on the Clyde,” said Commander Howe. “I am really looking forward to the challenge and using my recent operational experience, and that of the rest of the Squadron Staff, helping prepare the ships and their great people for the full range of forthcoming tasking.”
Commander Davey, who also served as COMUKMCMFOR from November 2014 to May 2015, will be departing for an assignment with the MOD.
He said: “I am extremely proud to have Commanded MCM1 and have been fortunate to work with a hugely professional team in my staff and a high performing group of crews and ships.
"They have been consistently delivered on their task, on operations in the UK, with NATO and in the Arabian Gulf.”
