“The exercise was a fantastic show of highly coordinated, collaborative force across a range of disciplines – many of which are rarely encountered on a mine countermeasures vessel and therefore we relish the chance to practise them,” said Sub Lieutenant Andrew Bonham, Chiddingfold’s navigator, aged 26 from Glasgow.
Lieutenant Daniel Fergusson from nearby Motherwell, who’s completing his officer training aboard the minehunter, added. “Working with other ships it was great to see how other nationalities practise mine hunting and other disciplines, such as air defence which we don’t normally do. For a small ship, it shows us how capable we are when required.”
The Royal Navy’s minehunting force is celebrating 15 years continuously on operations in the Gulf, expanding from two ships initially to five today (four minehunters, one command ship).
Embarked on the latter, RFA Cardigan Bay, were the staff of the Commander UK Mine Countermeasures Force, who direct and support all British mine warfare exercises and operations in the Gulf region and regularly support our allies.
“We’re here to improve our ability to work with the US, French, and Omanis – and we’ve proven this capability,” explained Lieutenant Commander Max Wilmot, chief-of-staff.
“These exercises also provide reassurance that the motorways of the sea are safe for personnel and merchant vessels to transit and allow us to conduct valuable defence engagement with our international partners.”
HMS Chiddingfold searched ten miles of sea lanes for mines, found two dummy variants and dealt with. She also ‘rafted up’ with Cardigan Bay – came alongside at sea – to take on fuel and stores.
“The exercise was extremely useful for the mine warfare department,” said Lieutenant Jason Rogers, Chiddingfold’s 35-year-old Operations Officer from Southampton. “The crew worked hard to maintain their skills throughout the execution of the entire exercise.”
