HMS SOMERSET NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2013

From the Captain Man; the island holds an annual open air meeting (Tynwald Day) that takes place on The 3 months since our last Newsletter has Tynwald Hill. This is when all local laws are been a particularly satisfying period with promulgated and as such is an extremely SOMERSET enjoying a varied programme important and high profile event. HMS and undertaking her first operational SOMERSET anchored in Douglas Bay to commitment of 2013. Visits to Dublin and the support the event, with Commanding Officer Isle of Man punctuated a period as the UK’s and some of the crew proceeding ashore to rapid reaction . Held at 24 hrs notice attend the ceremony. The visit was a great to sail for operations anywhere in the world, opportunity to strengthen ties between the the duty served to remind all onboard the and this historic maritime island. reason for our existence and the need to be ready for the unexpected. Although not called upon on this occasion, the tasking helped to sharpen our senses to the prolonged period to be spent at High Readiness later in the year. Reading the newsletter made me realise how busy 2013 has been and how precious the 3 weeks of Summer Leave will be to spend time with our families and friends. Dublin Visit

In June HMS SOMERSET conducted a six day routine visit to Dublin, Republic of Island, HMS SOMERSET at anchor in Douglas Bay, something a little different for the Ship’s Isle of Man Company after a busy few months of Basic Operational Sea Training. SOMERSET Families Day

remained the High Readiness Fleet Ready th Escort for the duration of the visit; however On 12 July HMS SOMERSET’s Ship’s the crew managed to participate in horse Company took the opportunity to proudly riding, rock climbing, mountain walking, show off their Ship during a Families Day. sightseeing and of course the odd visit to the Over 200 family members and friends were Guinness Factory! SOMERSET’s cycling onboard SOMERSET as she sailed from club, lead by the Captain, undertook their first Devonport in beautiful sunshine. ride out, enjoying a coastal ride around the peninsular. The Ship spent six hours at sea, giving family ` and friends a great opportunity to experience As well as enjoying the highlights of Dublin, the working lives of their loved ones onboard HMS SOMERSET hosted around 50 Irish a T23 Frigate. The Ship conducted a high Veterans and 10 members of the local speed manoeuvres, accompanied by Sea embassy during a reception lunch and tour Boats undertaking the Advanced Coxswains’ around the Ship. Course, before slowing to allow all to soak up the sun and enjoy a picnic style lunch on the SOMERSET’s visit to Dublin proved to be a upper deck. very rewarding experience for all of the Ship’s Company, many of whom had not visited the An 820 Squadron Merlin helicopter, the same Emerald Isle before. aircraft type which was embarked on SOMERSET at the time, conducted a fly past Isle of Man Visit as the Ship manoeuvred off the Cornish coast. Fire fighting and medical HMS SOMERSET joined HMS BROCKLESBY demonstrations were given to guests, for a visit to the Isle of Man in early July, as alongside access to almost all areas of the part of the opening of the Tynwald. The Ship; the Bridge and upper deck proving the Tynwald is the governing body of the Isle of most popular on such a glorious day. Western Approaches and required the Ship Lt Scott Sabin RN, one of the team tasked to operate in Defence Watches for the with organising the day said: ‘Families Day is duration. Defence Watches means half of the a rare and valuable opportunity to allow our crew are up and at work at any one time, this friends and families to see how we live and gives the Ship the best chance of sustaining what we do when we are not at home with its capability and primary role as an Anti- them.’ Adding: ‘It was great to see so many platform. The chances to practise smiling faces which made all the planning this important role with a real life submarine and work worthwhile.’ are few and far between; therefore SOMERSET fully embraced the opportunity. Children’s entertainer and ex-SOMERSET shipmate, Emazdad, kept younger (and The two weeks was made up of complex older) guests entertained throughout the day. scenarios which required SOMERSET to use By the time the Ship returned alongside there her hull mounted 2050 and her towed was a vast array of balloon animals in every array and body 2087 active and passive mess deck. On arrival back alongside in Sonar to hunt the submarine. SOMERSET Devonport, SOMERSET was met by the also embarked a highly specialised BFPS ‘Operation Ice Cream’ van, with free Hydrographical and Metrological team in ice creams available to all. order to best understand the deep water in which the Ship was operating. The exercise was extremely successful with SOMERSET gaining valuable experience in her Anti- Submarine Role. HMS SOMERSET is now fully prepared and practised for future Anti- Submarine tasking.

Paul the Pigeon

While conducting ACT ASW far out to sea in the North Atlantic HMS SOMERSET became home to a Racing Pigeon. The Pigeon settled onboard after losing its bearings on route from France to Redcar, North Yorkshire. The BFPS ‘Operation Ice Cream’ van in attendance on the jetty. Free ice cream for The pigeon was offered much needed food all! and water by Petty Officer Kristen Hughes, who first noticed the exhausted bird on the The event was partially funded by the Royal deck of SOMERSET. The Ship was over 300 Navy and Royal Marines Charity, who miles out to sea when ‘Paul’ landed. She was continue to support all serving and former named Paul before Leading Seaman William members of the Naval Service and their Hughes, an Ex-Pigeon fancier, caught the families. Malcolm Pollock, Regional bird, checked her over and discovered she Fundraiser (South West, West and Wales), was in fact a girl. said: ‘The Royal Navy and Royal Marines The pigeon had a race ring around one leg Charity is delighted to have been able to and an identification number on the other. make a grant of £300 towards HMS The Ship tried to establish where Paul / SOMERSET’s Families Day.’ Adding: ‘The Pauline was racing back to when she clearly RNRMC also continues to pay biannually an became disorientated and luckily found a operational welfare grant of around £1700 safe place to land so far out to sea. Leading direct into SOMERSET’s welfare fund.’ Seaman Hughes said: ‘It was a stroke of luck that Pauline found SOMERSET.’ The pigeon ACT ASW built her strength by eating breakfast cereal and resting in a makeshift coop alongside the In July HMS SOMERSET spent two weeks Merlin Helicopter in the Ship’s Hangar. conducting exercises with HMS TRIUMPH, an advanced Royal Navy submarine. Area While the crew of HMS SOMERSET set off Capability Training Anti Submarine Warfare for Summer Leave at the end of ACT ASW, (ACT ASW) was conducted in the South Leading Seaman Will Hughes drove to reunite Pauline with her owner Gil Hartshorn Ship wishes Merlin Flight 02 all the best of (75). Mr Hartshorn said: “Pauline will now be luck for her next tasking. retired from racing as he’d be too worried she would land on the next Royal Navy warship Sea Wolf Firing and never to be seen again.”

Type 23 Frigate firing Sea Wolf

SOMERSET spent a week at sea after Leading Seaman Will Hughes with Summer Leave in order to prove her Sea Paul the Pigeon Wolf missile system. A Falcon aircraft was

recruited to tow a low level target on which Efficiency Award Winners the Ship would fire. After many frustrating

hours hindered by the weather being too Every term, the Commanding Officer awards good and ranges not being clear the Ship efficiency prizes to members of the Ship’s fired a missile late on Tuesday afternoon. It Company in recognition for their hard work, was very impressive for all that witnessed it dedication and commitment to HMS and we are pleased to report that the Sea SOMERSET. The winners for the summer Wolf missile successfully struck the target. term of 2013 were:

New Somerset County Flag LMA O’Gorman – CO’s Overall Term Winner Gets its Sea Legs Logs(SC) Allen – Logistics

PO(ME) Winfindale – Marine Engineering HMS SOMERSET hoisted the new Somerset Lt Karavla – Executive Department county flag after being presented with it by PO(AWW) Jones – Warfare Department the Chairman of Somerset County Council. LET(WE) Smith – Weapon Engineering

Well done to these individuals who have set Cllr David Fothergill, presented the flag to the standard for excellence and Commander Mike Smith, the Commanding professionalism for the remainder of 2013. Officer, during a weekend visit by council

representatives from across the ancient HMS SOMERSET Waves Goodbye to the county. Merlin The guests were delivered onboard by Merlin

helicopter in the Irish Sea, before sailing into Over the past 4 months HMS SOMERSET Devonport on following day. has been home to a Merlin HM Mk 1 helicopter from 02 Flight, 829 Naval Air The design of a red dragon on a yellow Squadron, based in RNAS Culdrose. The background was selected by public vote as aircraft, Flight Commander, 2 Pilots and 12 the favourite county flag. man support team were an integral part of the

Ship for BOST and ACT ASW. The Merlin Cllr Fothergill said: “It was my absolute disembarked SOMERSET at the start of privilege to present the winning design for the Summer Leave and has been replaced by a new county flag to Commander Mike Smith Lynx Mk8. The Lynx, from 815 NAS, will aboard HMS Somerset.” Adding: “The crew remain with the Ship for DCT and throughout can spend months at sea away from home the Operational Deployment in 2014. The and I was delighted to present them with a reminder that the county of Somerset is It is the aim of the Ship’s company to build wholeheartedly supporting and thinking of upon the standards displayed during BOST them.” and to impress until the day of Final Inspection and completion of training.

Families Pre Deployment Brief

Towards the end of November HMS SOMERSET will be inviting families to a ‘Families Pre Deployment Brief’ accompanied by a social event. The brief will let families know what the Ship will be up to while on Operational Deployment in 2014 and what support networks are available when loved ones are deployed.

Visit: New Somerset County Flag Presentation www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Community/Royal- Navy-Community for access to family and Commander Smith, a resident of Somerset community support services. for 12 years, said: “This was a great opportunity to reinforce the Ship’s links to our Interesting Links home county. The crew and I have enjoyed showing off what the West Country’s You can continue to follow our movements on favourite warship can do at sea.” Adding: the Royal Navy Website at: “Being presented with the new Somerset County Flag and flying it from our yardarm www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The- demonstrates how important the county is to Fleet/Ships//HMS-SOMERSET us and the desire to strengthen those ties yet further.” What is DCT?

As HMS SOMERSET works towards an Operational Deployment in the New Year, she is once again to be tested by Flag Officer Sea Training’s organization throughout For More information or to donate go to: September. DCT – Directed Continuation Training, is a very important and focused www.rnrmc.org.uk/ period of training, which is designed specifically around a ship’s impending Next time… operations. In the next newsletter you can expect to find The FOST Staff will test the all aspects of out how SOMERSET fared during DCT and fire-fighting, damage control, fending off air, learn how the Lynx Mk8 has settled in… sea and submarine attack, battle damage repair, non-combatant evacuation and boarding operations. Every inch of the ship will be subjected to intense scrutiny.

There will be around 70 staff from Flag Officer Sea Training’s organisation embarking over the 4 weeks. During DCT the Ship will be join by HMS DEFENDER, HMS MONMOUTH, RFA ORANGELEAF, RFA ARGUS and German Ship FGS BRADENBURG.