HMS DAUNTLESS D33 AUGUST NEWSLETTER

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1 FOREWORD CAPTAIN WILL WARRENDER HMS DAUNTLESS D33 AUGUST NEWSLETTER As I write HMS DAUNTLESS is now heading back North towards warmer climates having spent the last few weeks facing the challenges of winter in the South Atlantic. On leaving Cape Town we made a somewhat lumpy crossing of the Southern Ocean to the remarkably remote and starkly beautiful Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands visit for us represented a pivotal point in this AURIGA 12 deployment, marking not only our Southern most latitude, but also a brief end to operating as a lone unit. Part of our tasking within the AURIGA 12 deployment is to act as the Atlantic Patrol Task South (APT(S)) Ship, a role which has been filled constantly by Royal Navy ships for over 30 years. Our deployment is not something new but is a routine deployment for a Royal Navy warship to this part of the world. APT(S) is an essential part of our wider deployment and in this particular role we fulfil an enduring support mission, on behalf of the UK Government, by aiding in the defence and support of all the South Atlantic Ocean Territories (SAOT). During our short time in the Falklands we used the visit to replenish much needed stores and fuel. We also, in a deployment of many firsts, took the opportunity to introduce Type 45, as the latest generation of warship to take up the APT(S) role, to both the islanders and military personnel already stationed there. Our time in the Falklands was all too short and at times poignant, particularly with 2012 being the 30 th anniversary of the 1982 Falklands Conflict in which the Royal Navy played such a key role, the harsh realities of which were not lost on my Ship s Company. Now leaving the South Atlantic we are heading North and into the warmer waters of the Caribbean to begin another period of Counter Narcotics operations, as well as participating in a large Maritime Security exercise with many of the region s Navies. In addition to these operations and exercises, HMS DAUNTLESS is also prepared to provide Humanitarian and Disaster relief should the need arise in what is now the middle of the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Although the end of the deployment is in sight I am conscious that we may still have some surprises ahead; we remain focused on the task in hand and ready for what promises to be an exciting and potentially challenging end to the ship s first deployment. Yours Sincerely Will Warrender W J Warrender Captain Royal Navy Commanding Officer Nil Desperandum Never Despair Page 1

2 News: On leaving Cape Town HMS When we arrived at the tiny island we sent in our DAUNTLESS was immediately tasked with a Doctor Surg Lt Laura Speirs RN (seen here mercy mission to support one of the many South below with the Captain) to facilitate a medical Atlantic Ocean Territories, the Islands of Tristan assessment of the individual and arrange the Da Cunha. Tristan Da Cunha is about as subsequent evacuation utilising the Ship s Lynx isolated as it gets and when there is a Helicopter to transfer the patient back on board requirement for a medical evacuation help can and into our state of the art medical ward for be up to 11 days away. transport back to the UK via the Falklands. The Islands with a population of just 270 is 2,000 miles West of South Africa, and with no port to speak of, rarely attracts a visit from passing ships; lucky then for our presence in the area. Due to a medical condition that required more than the islanders were able to deal with in their own small 1 man medical facility, DAUNTLESS own medical team were activated by the Royal Navy s Fleet Medical Operations team at the request of the UK Governments Medical Division to assist in the medical evacuation of an islander on the tiny British dependency. The evacuation, though serious, was no longer urgent, once the patient was safely onboard, our helicopter was able to further assist the islanders in transporting a VHF radio rebroadcast station to the top of the mountainous cliffs overlooking the tiny settlement of Edinburgh. The islanders had been trying to get the rebroadcast station set up for about a year and having now been able to get all the right equipment into place should be able to have full radio coverage around the island assisting the safety of their fishermen in what is undoubtedly an extremely harsh environment in which to live and work. Captain Warrender said It has always been in the nature of Mariners to help one another in times of difficulty and an island like Tristan Da Cunha is almost like another ship in that it is isolated, alone and thousands of miles from anywhere. Unlike the islanders, we are fortunate enough to be able to move as we wish and I have readily at hand the skilled personnel and right equipment to provide me with the ability to help in situations like this. This is exactly the type of task that we are down here in the South Atlantic to do; to serve and protect all the UK s South Atlantic Ocean Territories as part of our wider Atlantic patrol tasking. Nil Desperandum Never Despair Page 2

3 After leaving Tristan Da Cunha we continued our long transatlantic passage heading further South and into the wild waters of the South Atlantic. those crisp winter mornings when you feel as though you could see for miles. The good visibility meant that we were treated to a fly past from some of the RAF s Typhoon aircraft from 1435 Flight, who are based in the Falklands, as they came out to welcome us as we arrived. Arguably one of the most difficult things to do in weather like this is to still work as normal. Fortunately the Ship s band of Happy Chefs manage to maintain morale by churning out three good meals a day for everyone on board. Despite the bad weather they still heroically managed to delight the crew with themed food evenings such as Not Quite Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut nights, ensuring morale remained high whatever the weather. As we proceeded alongside, escorted by HMS CLYDE, we were joined by Commander British Force South Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI) Brigadier Bill Aldridge CBE, who experienced another T45 first as DAUNTLESS became the first T45 to visit the Islands. Many of the crew on the upperdeck for the entry were surprised by the beauty of the place. After making the crossing and arriving in the Falklands we timed our arrival to perfection arriving in a rare gap in the weather on one of Nil Desperandum Never Despair Page 3

4 During the remainder of our time alongside we had a near constant stream of visitors, both civilian and military, who had all made the journey to the port to have a look around the latest addition to the Islands inhabitants. Tours of the ship proved to be very popular with in the end approximately 10% of the islands entire population attending. A vast majority of the crew had never visited the Islands before and most, though not all, were not even alive when the Falklands Conflict of 1982 thrust the Islands onto to the international stage. On sailing from the harbour we were tasked with transporting some of the resident Infantry around the Islands and dropped them off near the famous San Carlos Water. This provided an ideal opportunity to conduct a quick service of remembrance at the war grave of HMS ANTELOPE whose image, taken as it exploded, remains one of the most iconic images of the conflict. In a busy few days alongside the Ship went about replenishing stores and integrating into the military organisation on the islands. Additionally we held our usual reception for local leaders and dignitaries, though this time, many more coats and jumpers were in evidence and absolutely no complaints about the heat. The service was attended by the vast majority of the crew and was a sombre and respectful occasion. The wreath was laid by AB(WS)2 Ryan Skips Skipper (18), our youngest crew member, who was flanked by CPO(MEM) Robert Blood Reid, and WO2(WE) Gary Mo Morris both of whom are veterans of the conflict. Nil Desperandum Never Despair Page 4

5 After leaving San Carlos Water we proceeded back out to sea and on patrol; during this period we completed various exercises with both our land and air counterparts which made a welcome change from operating alone. First on the agenda, inspired by our recent visit, the Ship held a highly enjoyable charity penguin racing night. No visit would have been complete without visiting the Islands capital Stanley, where the Ship anchored off for the weekend and allowed most to get ashore and stretch their legs. Some lucky members of the crew managed to travel slightly further afield and away from Stanley in order to meet up with the other locals. In the local Church whilst at anchor, members of the Ship s Company attended a service and gave a reading, before attending the war memorial for another short act of remembrance. The event hosted by the Senior Rates mess was hugely popular and raised 657 for charity on the night, with many other charity events planned. The Ship s Company entering into the spirit have also commenced a mass charity beard growing competition, raising money whilst simultaneously providing the ammunition with which to make fun of each other; there will be prizes for the best and worst beards come Judgement Day later in September. After an extremely busy few days we weighed anchor and said good bye to the Falklands to began our journey North. In company with our friends in RFA Gold Rover the 4,000 mile journey up the East Coast of South America is our longest single period at sea during AURIGA 12. This period meant that the Ship s Entertainment committee would have to work hard and drum up some ideas to keep up morale and make the extended period at sea more enjoyable. Now as we continue to travel North we are completing the preparations required to be ready in all respects for whatever the next couple of Nil Desperandum Never Despair Page 5

6 months may bring. The boarding party are training again in readiness to conduct Counter Narcotics operations. The medical teams are working up in case of humanitarian relief work as is the entire Ship, preparing to help in the event of a hurricane. We are ready for the next few months and look forward to our return to the UK in due course. We have included the internet link below that takes you to the Official HMS DAUNTLESS website, where we post pictures, news and a Video Diary Blog telling the story of our deployment as we go. Fleet/Ships/Destroyers/Type-45- Destroyers/HMS-Dauntless Editors Comments Notes: Whilst we are deployed please be wary of who you share your online information with, particularly on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter etc. for guidance. Families Section Homecoming. An event that is looming closer and closer and will soon be at the forefront of all of our minds. Plans are in place to ensure that you, as families and friends, will be able to enjoy the day and be on the jetty as the Ship arrives home. Information is being disseminated to the Ship s Company and we encourage you to speak to your service person to ensure you have all the information you require. AFFILIATIONS HMS Dauntless is proud and very honoured to have the following affiliations: Sponsor: Lady Burnell-Nugent Civic: Newcastle Great Yarmouth Livery Companies: The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers The Worshipful Company of World Traders Charities: Percy Hedley School and Foundation, Newcastle Trinity House Military: The King's Royal Hussars No 17(R) Squadron. 51 Squadron Nimrod R HMS CALLIOPE RNR Newcastle NRC Northumbria URNU Schools: Royal Hospital School, Holbrook Royal Grammar School, Newcastle Others: Oyster Marine Adnams Brewers Caterham Formula 1 Newcastle United FC Sea Cadets: TS ORWELL (Ipswich) TS YARMOUTH (Gt Yarmouth) TS EUROPA (Lowestoft) TS VANGUARD (Felixstowe) TS DAUNTLESS (Winlaton) TS TYNE (Newburn) TS JELLICOE (Newcastle East) Nil Desperandum Never Despair Page 6