Back to training for HMS Iron Duke

HMS Iron Duke has embarked on the next chapter in her life; the Ship’s Company have started a period of training under direction of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).

This period marks the end of her busy operational period in the first half of 2016, which saw the ship deploy as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 to provide assurance and security to the Baltic States as well as deterrence in the region.

Following an exceptionally busy maintenance and upgrade period, a significant turnover of personnel have departed and new personnel have joined the ship.

It is time for the Ship’s Company to refresh and re-focus skills to enable the ship to conduct operational tasking into 2017.

The future is very bright for the ship, which recently had a new Commanding Officer appointed. 

Commander Steve Banfield MBE, the new CO commented, “After the next 4 weeks of Operational Sea Training, the programme will see the ship operating in waters much closer to home, responding to emergent tasking around the UK and facilitating the training of the next generation of sailors.”

Operational Sea Training will test the Ship’s Company to its limits, throwing fictional training scenarios at the Ship’s Company which must develop its response skills in both Warfare tactics, damage control, fire fighting and a variety of other skills.  

After the final assessment Iron Duke will be ready for tasking in the New Year. For a number of sailors onboard, this marks their first experience working in the challenging but exciting environment of a Royal Navy warship at sea.