Commodore in Chief Royal Fleet Auxiliary visits Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Royal Navy Units

Courtesy Photo | Royal Fleet Auxiliary officer Duncan MacColl briefs His Royal Highness Prince Edward on the work of the RFA within the United Kingdom Maritime Component Command, watched by the UKMCC Deputy Staff Operations Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Phil Houghton RN.  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

09.11.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

MANAMA Bahrain - His Royal Highness Prince Edward, in his capacity as Commodore in Chief to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, paid a special visit to Bahrain to meet with members of the RFA, Royal Navy and Royal Navy Reserve. These sailors are currently supporting RN units throughout the maritime area of operations, which encompasses the Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Somali Basin. During the course of his one day visit, HRH received briefings at the headquarters of the United Kingdom Maritime Component Command in Juffair, and toured British vessels RFA Lyme Bay, a Bay Class landing ship, and HMS Pembroke, a Mine Counter Measures vessel.

HRH was welcomed to the UKMCC by Commodore Tim Lowe Royal Navy, United Kingdom Maritime Component commander and deputy commander, Combined Maritime Forces, and given a comprehensive briefing on the work underway throughout the area of operations. This was followed by a tour of the headquarters where HRH was able to meet both regulars and reservists, and see first-hand the vital work done in supporting RN units at sea, whether it be from national tasking or as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, NATO or European Union task forces, Cdre Lowe said, "It is a great honour to receive this visit from HRH Prince Edward and a privilege to be able to show him the vast range of work we do out here in the Middle East on behalf of the U.K."

On leaving the UKMCC, HRH visited RFA Lyme Bay where he was met by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Kim Watts and the Commanding Officer of the RFA Cardigan Bay, Capt. David Buck. During the visit HRH met RFA personnel from both ships and also met the RNR team who provide force protection for the RFAs in theatre.

On completion of his tour of Lyme Bay, HRH visited the Mine Counter Measures vessel HMS Pembroke, where he was briefed by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Andy Lamb RN, met crew members, and had discussions with COs regarding the role of RN and RFA units in support of MCM operations.

The senior naval officer in the region, United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander, Cdre Tim Lowe, was quick to offer praise to personnel working both ashore and afloat within his area of operations. "During the course of my career I have had the pleasure to work with, and be supported by, many members of the RN and RNR. The ability of my team in the UKMCC, and the personnel onboard RN and RFA vessels in this challenging and dynamic area of moperations, both regular and reserve, is a testament to their training and professionalism. I cannot praise them enough for their dedication and commitment."

In support of Commander Joint Operations' mission, UKMCC operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, commanding and providing operational and logistic support to all RN ships within an area of over 2.5 million square miles of sea. The Royal Navy is here with coalition colleagues to conduct Maritime Security Operations that help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as to complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations safeguard lawful sea users and deny international terrorists use of the regions' expansive maritime environment as a venue for attack, as well as limit their ability to transport personnel, weapons or other illicit material.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2009
• Date Posted: 09.11.2009 14:22
• Story ID: 38614
• Location: MANAMA, BH