HMS Duncan deploys to the Mediterranean and Gulf

Royal Navy warship HMS Duncan today deployed to the Mediterranean to take over as Flagship to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2.

The Type 45 destroyer left Portsmouth Naval Base at 10am this morning to resume the role after a three-month stint in charge last year.

Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan Commander Eleanor Stack said: “After a busy maintenance period, and a lot of hard work from my ship’s company, it was a fantastic feeling to sail on Monday morning and resume our tasking as the Flagship to SNMG2.

“My ship’s company is excited about returning to the Mediterranean before undertaking KIPION tasking later this year.”

HMS Duncan will conduct defence engagement activities alongside our NATO partners and will lead SNMG2 through a series of high profile exercises.

On completion of this tasking, Duncan will sail to the Gulf to take up the UK’s standing commitment to the region.

There she will protect busy shipping lanes by providing a reassuring presence and conducting maritime patrols, and will work with regional and international partners, including the US Navy, on a series of exercises and defence engagement activities.

HMS Duncan will return to her home port later this year.