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The DRAGON Deploys LEM DRAIG The Newsletter for HMS DRAGON ISSUE 23 │Spring 2021 The DRAGON deploys A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER 2020 has arguably been the most challenging year faced by our country in recent memory, an experience shared by HMS DRAGON. COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on our maintenance, training and deployment, introducing challenges which the Royal Navy has not had to deal with in recent times. I am pleased to say my Ship’s Company have risen to these challenges at every turn, whether at home or deployed, fighting through inevitable constraints to deliver all that has been asked of the Ship. Amongst many activities which the Ship has undertaken since our last newsletter, DRAGON completed a short operational deployment with the Littoral Response Group during autumn 2020, including 21 days in the Black Sea, a region of strategic importance for the UK. We visited Ukraine, Georgia and Romania, deepening international relationships, improving interoperability and furthering regional security and stability whilst standing firm beside our key allies and partners. Whilst it was perhaps not the Mediterranean deployment many of my Ship’s Company may have hoped for, it was unquestionably important. At a time of great uncertainty DRAGON has proven that the Royal Navy along with the other Services, continue to deliver their operational commitments and contribute to international security and stability. As always, we can not deliver on operations without the sacrifice and support of our family and friends at home, even more so this year as they have dealt with the constraints of lockdown whilst their loved ones were away. For this we and the Navy are as ever indebted. With best wishes from us all in HMS DRAGON. Giles Palin Cdr RN 1 “We yield but to Saint George” DRAGON’s Deployment LRG (X) –The Mediterranean and Black Sea On the 1st September DRAGON deployed as part of the LRG(X) (Littoral Response Group (Experimental)), consisting of HMS DRAGON, HMS ALBION and RFA LYME BAY. The first two weeks included training off the South Coast of the UK with assistance from our Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) staff, but also including Weapons and Sensors trials as well as the embarkation of the Ship’s Wildcat helicopter, call sign ‘Scorch’. The challenges posed by COVID-19 meant that these first two weeks were conducted in quarantine, ensuring we were safe to deploy free from COVID-19. COVID testing of all personnel was carried out prior to leaving UK waters to ensure that the ship was ready to operate in a safe ‘bubble’. The first stop was Gibraltar and whilst a traditional run ashore was not possible, due to the nature of global events, sundowners(drinks) on the flight deck with a view of the rock behind were enjoyed by Ship’s Company. Gibraltar also allowed for the final preparations for DRAGON’s tasking, which were soon to be checked in an Operational Capability Confidence Check (OCCC) off Crete. Further exercises and preparations were conducted en route to Soudha Bay, Crete including interactions with various NATO assets already in the Mediterranean. Arrival in Souda allowed for a Flight Deck BBQ and a secure area of the jetty was opened up to Ship’s Company for sport and recreation. Whilst the Ship sailed each day for trials as part of its OCCC, the Boarding Team remained behind to conduct specialist boarding training at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC). After OCCC, final engineering preparations were conducted and the ship sailed independently for the Black Sea, the rest of the LRG task-group remaining in the Eastern Mediterranean. Entry into the Black Sea requires a transit of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorous straits, including passing through Istanbul with views of the bridge between Europe and Asia and the world famous Hagia Sofia Mosque, AB Colclough had this to say: “sailing through Istanbul was a sight I will never forget. Whilst it is definitely strange to sail through a city, the sights were incredible and it is definitely a highlight of the trip”. Once through the straits, DRAGON was truly on operational tasking, interactions with foreign militaries beginning almost immediately upon entering the Black Sea itself. The Operations Room 2 “We yield but to Saint George” and Bridge teams rose to the challenge immediately, ensuring early tracking and identification of vessels and aircraft to ensure that the PWO, AWO and Captain were always fully aware of the situation around them, in turn feeding into wider UK and NATO awareness of activity in the area. The first stop within the Black sea was Odessa in the Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces Band compensated for the lack of shore leave by performing for the Ship’s Company from the jetty. An extensive package of training was conducted on-board with our partners from the Ukrainian Navy, including fire-fighting training and tactical communication training ahead of manoeuvres with Ukrainian Naval vessels upon sailing. International engagement of this type is a key role of the RN and DRAGON was proud to fly the flag in a port that is not often visited by British Warships. DRAGON’s contribution to maritime security was further re-enforced upon sailing from Odessa, as she transited close to Crimea en route to her next port of call. Further interactions with other navies occurred during this passage and once again DRAGON’s teams remained alert and professional throughout. The next visit was to Batumi in Georgia, another port not regularly visited by the RN. A warm welcome awaited in the form of a traditional welcoming ceremony on the jetty which was watched by the Ship’s Company. Partner nation training was conducted with the Georgian Coast Guard who embarked for boarding training serials, helping to enhance the provision of maritime security in the region. A small delegation from the ship was sent ashore to the Batumi Commonwealth War Graves, and the CO held a lunch for Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Georgia, the Georgian Defence Minister and Chief of the Georgian Defence Forces. Available personnel were permitted to proceed ashore on an organised COVID safe bus tour to Batumi’s Botanical Gardens. Once back at sea DRAGON was kept busy once again, interacting professionally with units from other regional countries that were in the area. These operations were followed by the final Black Sea port visit of Constanta in Romania, where the Ship conducted further defence engagement, enjoying below decks leave where possible. Before leaving the Black Sea, DRAGON conducted one final exercise with its partners and allies (left) this time with the Romanian flagship ROS MARASESTI, Romanian F-16 fighters and Royal Canadian Air Force F-18 aircraft. DRAGON transited back through the Dardenelles and Bosphorous, rejoining the LRG task-group in the Mediterranean. Various exercises were conducted before DRAGON proceeded to Piraeus, Greece where Her Majesty’s Ambassador and the Minister for the Armed Forces were hosted. 3 “We yield but to Saint George” Given the proximity of the Ship’s berth to Athens, “COVID bubble bus tours” were put on for the Ship’s company, allowing them to get a tantalising glimpse of the sights on offer in Greece’s capital. The stop in Piraeus also allowed for the embarkation of vital stores and for important engineering work to be conducted. The engineering and logistics departments supported efforts throughout the deployment, contributing significantly to the successful sustainment of DRAGON throughout her solo operations in the Black Sea. Upon rejoining the Task Group after Greece, DRAGON headed for the waters off Alexandria in Egypt, successfully conducting exercises with the Egyptian Navy. A short stop in Souda Bay was followed by a final close pass of ALBN, before DRGN then departed the Task Group for the last time, transiting west across the Mediterranean conducting Maritime Security Operations. Remembrance Sunday was appropriately observed during the transit west, always poignant when conducted on a moving flight deck in front of flying Ensign at sea. With marks of respect also paid at several maritime war memorials during the trip, the significance of the sacrifice paid by many in that part of the world over years gone by was not lost on the Ship’s Company. A short logistic stop in Gibraltar preceded DRAGON’s return to Portsmouth on the 21st of November. DRAGON is incredibly proud of the work achieved during this deployment. Deploying successfully in the middle of a global pandemic is a significant achievement, as is the nature of the work undertaken. Despite being unable to go on traditional ‘runs ashore’, all Dragons maintained positive and focussed throughout, delivering all that was asked of them. 4 “We yield but to Saint George” Showing the DRAGON’s teeth Operational Sea Training – The External Battle Operational Sea Training was a three-week package conducted in February and March this year. During this time DRAGON was put through her paces as she conducted a wide variety of training simulating operations in a high-intensity conflict. DRAGON was tasked with protecting the small enclave of Freeport (as Plymouth is more commonly known in our training scenario) and the associated surrounding territoral waters. Despite less than perfect winter weather in the English Channel, DRAGON conducted a wide variety of serials, testing her abilities across all warfare disciplines. Personnal were closed up in the Ops room to conduct serials which included SURFEXs (against surface combatant vessels), ADEXs (air defence exercises), a SWARMEX (being attacked by a multitude of small fast attack craft), intelligence gathering exercises and many more. Each week this culminated In the famous ‘Thursday War’, where threats from above, on and under the water were battled simulatneously.
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