The South West based Royal Navy warship HMS Argyll has a new commanding officer.
Commander Tim Neild (40), of Hampshire and formerly a pupil of Ilkley Grammar School, said: “Argyll is the pinnacle of my career to date she has a fantastic reputation and a superb ship’s company. I am really looking forward to taking her to sea later this month and preparing for operations.”
Plymouth-based HMS Argyll has recently returned from a hugely successful deployment to the Middle East and is now preparing for a period of high readiness during the summer months when it will be available to react to any unforeseen worldwide event. In the autumn the ship will undergo intensive period of training before potentially deploying on operations next year.
Tim said: “The Royal Navy continues to police the use of the sea in partnership with our allies and retains the combined ability to influence events at sea, on land and in the air providing real flexibility of choice to both military and political leaders. With this in mind it is vital that Argyll is ready to respond across the full spectrum of uncertainty in the world and execute whatever task my commanders and the government require.”
Tim joined the Royal Navy in 1991 and during his 21-year career has served in a number of warships on operations world wide. He has conducted a wide range of missions from counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean to maritime strike operations off Libya as well as oil platform protection in Iraq. HMS Argyll is his fourth ship in command. His previous commands include two patrol vessels, HMS Express and HMS Pursuer and the mine counter measures vessel, HMS Quorn.
Commander Neild said: “After 21 exciting and fulfilling years in the Royal Navy, it is a true privilege to be selected to command such a highly capable warship. We are a maritime nation and our sea is the oil that lubricates the global economic engine. Argyll is an agile warship with a breadth of capability – able to conduct the full gamut of operations from humanitarian assistance to high-end war fighting – I am really looking forward to the challenges which lie ahead.”
Tim lives with his wife Claire, also from Ilkley, and their two young children. His parents Brian and Carol Neild have lived in Ilkley for over 30 years and his brother Michael also lives in the area. He enjoys regular visits to his home town whenever his demanding work commitments allow and has maintained strong friendships since his school days.
HMS Argyll is a 5,000 tonne Type 23 frigate capable of speeds of up to 30 kts (37 mph). She has a crew of approximately 180 people. She is fitted with anti-surface and anti-air missiles, medium and close range guns, a comprehensive suite of sensors and communications and she also has her own Lynx helicopter armed with anti- surface missiles and torpedoes.
