HMS Cumberland last week returned to the UK from an intense and successful patrol involving counter-piracy operations, evacuating refugees from Libya and enforcing an arms embargo against the country’s ruler.
The Type 22 frigate’s entry on Saturday 16th April into HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth, after six and half months deployed from the UK - one month later than planned due to events in Libya, was received with pomp and pageantry.
HMS Cumberland passed Plymouth Hoe and fired a gun salute at about 10am. The ship was a welcome sight to her crew’s family and friends who gathered on the jetty to wave her in when she entered her base-port.
The ship sailed from Devonport on a misty morning on 30 September last year on a pre-planned counter-piracy and maritime policing patrol which culminated in the ship being tasked at short notice to Libya as fast-moving events there demanded the Royal Navy be called upon to evacuate British and other nationals from the port city of Benghazi.
Captain Steve Dainton, Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland said: “Cumberland’s final deployment has shown just how useful a warship like her can be. We have undertaken a huge range of missions in the last six and half months and it’s a fine example of the flexibility and agility of naval forces. It is fitting that a ship that has served her country so well for over 20 years has bowed out in such style.”
Captain Dainton added: “It is, of course, her crew that make Cumberland what she is: they have performed exceptionally throughout the deployment but especially when called upon to assist with the evacuation of personnel from Benghazi. The Libyan operation showed them at their best: professional; determined and compassionate. I am very proud of them.”
During three emergency visits to Libya’s troubled second city, HMS Cumberland evacuated 454 people, including 129 British citizens. The warship was the first and last Royal Navy warship into Benghazi and Britain’s biggest contributor to the evacuation.
Vigilance learnt that during the first evacuation, the weather was so terrible and conditions so rough that many of the evacuees were seasick. The ship’s medical officer, Surgeon Lieutenant Alex Shaw and his team worked round the clock to ensure they were properly cared for. Many members of the ship’s company entertained children and changed nappies because the children’s parents were too ill to do so themselves. After the first evacuation was completed in Malta, HMS Cumberland restored, refuelled and sailed again within seven hours of arrival.
As the crisis in Libya developed HMS Cumberland tasking was extended further to help enforce the UN Security Council Resolutions 1970/1973, enforcing the arms embargo and deterring Gadhafi’s naval forces from joining in attacks on civilians. HMS Cumberland was part of the NATO-led maritime force of 19 ships from across the Alliance enforcing the embargo. She handed over her responsibilities last week to HMS Liverpool, and is now heading west towards Gibraltar.
According to the MoD HMS Cumberland’s successful patrol was otherwise all taken up with the following achievements:
- Conducted counter-piracy patrols in the Gulfs of Aden and Oman
- Guarded the Iraqi Al Basra Oil Platform in the Northern Arabian Gulf
- Taken part in Exercise AIR KHANDJAR with the United Arab Emirates’ Navy and Air Force, as well as other exercises with the Saudi Arabian Navy
- Patrolled the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf securing sea lanes and deterring smugglers and maritime crime
- Made 8 transits of the vital Straits of Hormuz between Oman and Iran, all the while escorting high value shipping or other military units
- Provided support to French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle while she conducted combat air operations into Afghanistan over Christmas
- Supported the state visit of Her Majesty the Queen’s visit to Abu Dhabi in Nov 10
- Hosted the new Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr in the first such visit since his accession
An MoD source said the ship would be decommissioned under the Strategic Defence and Security Review, with a decommissioning ceremony on 23 June. Vigilance learnt that She is the 16th ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Cumberland. The name was first used in 1695.