A new commander of the Royal Naval flotilla at Plymouth has taken over the helm as the out-going officer retires to fulfil a dream to sail round the world. Commodore Richard Farrington handed over as Commander Devonport Flotilla to Commodore Paul Halton after two years overseeing the fleet of submarines, frigates, survey vessels, and amphibious ships HMS Ocean, HMS Albion and … [Read more...] about Commander of Plymouth Royal Naval Flotilla retires
Navy News
Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset family day
The Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset took special guests to sea for a rare taste of life at sea. More than 200 lucky people, aged from six to 86, came onboard the Plymouth-based warship to join their relatives who serve as the ship’s company and see where they spend their working days and understand their jobs when they go on worldwide deployments. The excited relatives and … [Read more...] about Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset family day
Royal Navy hosts Her Majesty the Queen on board HMS Ocean
The Royal Navy’s largest warship HMS Ocean celebrated her royal links by hosting Her Majesty the Queen on board in Plymouth. On a gloriously sunny day Her Majesty paid her fourth visit to the nation’s ‘very high readiness’ helicopter carrier since commissioning in 1998. She was welcomed into HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth, on her way to the ship by military and civilian … [Read more...] about Royal Navy hosts Her Majesty the Queen on board HMS Ocean
Cdr Mike Smith awarded OBE
The captain of a Plymouth-based Royal Navy warship has been awarded the OBE in this year’s military operational honours. As the commanding officer of HMS Somerset, the only major warship operating in the Middle East during the first half of 2014, Commander Smith consistently demonstrated the highest standards of leadership. The duty of being the solitary UK frigate demanded … [Read more...] about Cdr Mike Smith awarded OBE
HMS Torbay home from patrol
Sailors of the Royal Naval HMS Torbay have returned to a hero’s welcome as the submarine returns to her base-port at Plymouth after a successful six-month patrol. As HMS Torbay entered Plymouth Sound to begin her transit up the River Hamoze to her berth in HM Naval Base Devonport she was followed by a passenger boat crammed with cheering families and friends waving ‘welcome’ … [Read more...] about HMS Torbay home from patrol
Sailors march through Falmouth
Sailors from HMS Tyne and Royal Marines from 42 Commando have marched through the cobbled streets of Falmouth to honour one of the greatest raids in naval history. In March 1942, a flotilla of destroyers and small boats left the Cornish port to blow up the dock facilities at St Nazaire. They succeeded, ramming a former American destroyer – under the White Ensign as HMS … [Read more...] about Sailors march through Falmouth
MoD Police Dogs show off their skills to students
Ministry of Defence Police dogs at Plymouth Naval Base have demonstrated their skills to students. The Plymouth University Public Service Degree students were hosted by the dog section at HM Naval Base, Devonport, as part of their final year studies. The highly trained animals and their handlers showed off their explosives- tracking skills and how to help apprehend a suspect … [Read more...] about MoD Police Dogs show off their skills to students
Royal Marines mountain leaders cold weather training
Royal Marines are training in the world’s most extreme cold weather in order to join the cream of the elite commandoes. The troops are in the winter wasteland of Porsangamoen in northern Norway on the latest Royal Marines mountain leader course, learning how to conduct and survive on the cold weather warfare course. This is the latest phase of an arduous nine-month course … [Read more...] about Royal Marines mountain leaders cold weather training
Royal Navy footballers score with charities
Royal Navy footballers have been presented with a new sporting kit to cement a new partnership with a fitness and leisure centre. The Royal Navy’s Western Region Command Football team has a new strip, courtesy of the Saltash-based China Fleet Country Club which has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal – the first fruits of a charitable partnership. The charitable arm of the … [Read more...] about Royal Navy footballers score with charities
Royal Navy first in fight against Ebola
Blood from British sailors is being used for the first time to fight the deadly Ebola virus in Sierra Leone. Two Royal Navy nurses – Chief Petty Officer (Naval Nurse) Mark ‘Robbie’ Robinson and Petty Officer (Naval Nurse) Mark Bailey – set up a volunteer emergency blood donor panel onboard Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus off the West Coast of Africa. The panel was … [Read more...] about Royal Navy first in fight against Ebola
