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Critical role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary recognised with new uniform insignia

CO of Proteus is presented the new pin

The critical role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has been recognised with the introduction of a new uniform insignia that acknowledges the responsibility and prestige of command.

To present the inaugural Command pins, the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander and the Minister for the Armed Forces made a high profile visit to one of the RFA’s newest ships, RFA Proteus, during a maintenance stop in Portsmouth.

Proteus’ Commanding Officer, Captain Martin Jones, and the head of the RFA, Commodore Sam Shattock, were presented with the first Command pins – which are identical to the Royal Navy equivalents with two heraldic sea horses denoting sea power with a trident and crossed swords beneath a naval crown – by Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, and Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Andrew Burns.

The visit underscored the important role of the RFA and Proteus itself, which is dedicated to underwater surveillance in areas of UK sovereign interest. 

Commodore Shattock said: “It was a pleasure to receive the Command pin today onboard RFA Proteus. 

“The award of the pin to RFA Commanding Officers is an appreciated recognition of the continued professional development, skills, leadership, and management required of RFA Captains, along with the many years of seafaring experience. 

“The management and operation of large, versatile and specialist vessels demands similar attributes to those of our Royal Navy colleagues and this pin is an appropriate visible demonstration of that. 

“The visit hosted the Fleet Commander to showcase the RFA’s newest vessel and shed a light upon its unique capabilities.”
 

The Command pin, which will now be issued to RFA Commanding Officers as they take up their respective commands, has been introduced to mark the 120th anniversary of the service, recognising the vast experience and professionalism shown working closely with the Royal Navy since its formation. 

RFA Proteus was berthed within Naval Base Portsmouth over the festive period for a routine maintenance period.

She is the first of a new generation of survey and surveillance ships harnessing leading-edge technology and dedicated to monitoring underwater areas of UK sovereign interest. 

The RFA service was established in 1905 ago to provide front-line warships with the food, fuel, spare parts, and other supplies needed to sustain them on operations at sea – rather than returning to port.

RFA ships can also perform military, peacekeeping, and relief missions, from acting as command ships for Royal Navy minehunters in the Gulf, to providing humanitarian aid and joining the fight against drug running in the Caribbean.
 

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