Gibraltar Harbour bristled with battleship as four of the six ships assigned to the Royal Navy’s key autumn deployment made the Rock their first port of call.
Flagship HMS Bulwark, her escorts Northumberland and Montrose, plus landing support ship RFA Mounts Bay have spent three days in Gib before moving into the heart of the Mediterranean for major exercises with the French and Albanians.
Pictures: LA(Phots) Joel Rouse and Maxine Davies
NOW here’s a sight not seen for some time in Britain’s great gateway to the Mediterranean: the harbour at Gibraltar bristling with battleship grey.
Against the outer wall, Her Majesty’s Ships Northumberland (F238) and Montrose (F236), plus landing support ship RFA Mounts Bay.
And in the shadow of The Tower, the headquarters of British Forces Gibraltar, the nation’s flagship HMS Bulwark, which is leading the Navy’s key autumn deployment: Cougar 12.
The Rock was the first port of call on the two-month exercise for the quartet, which depart today after three days enjoying a brief but enjoyable operational stand-down.
Lt Tom Knott, HMS Scimitar’s CO, salutes HMS Northumberland as the frigate approaches Gib
The force was welcomed by the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the small territory: the Gibraltar Squadron. Fast patrol boat HMS Scimitar sailed to greet the incoming vessels – and salute them.
Once alongside, sailors and Royal Marines from the task group ships grappled local sides in the sporting arena, including rugby, netball and football.
Bulwark was victorious in the netball by a significant margin, but narrowly missed out to 45 Commando in the rugby clash.
Today’s game. Spot the Royal Marines… Two of 200 runners from the task group take part in the Rock Race in fancy dress
However, the highlight of the weekend’s sporting calendar was the famous Rock Race; over 200 personnel from the Response Force Task Group donned their running shoes (and, in some cases, some colourful fancy dress) and made a dash for the top of Gibraltar.
The 2.7 miles does not sound too gruelling – Bulwark’s words, not hours – until the ascent of 1,250ft is taken into account…
On a more solemn note, a number of task group officers took the opportunity to pay their respects at Gibraltar’s famous Trafalgar Cemetery, just a couple of weeks before the anniversary of Nelson’s great victory.
Quite possibly the most stunning backdrop to any football ground on earth…
A short service was conducted in memory of those who lost their lives in the battle, followed by a moment of reflection for all members of the Armed Forces who have lost their lives conflict.
Trafalgar and the Royal Marines’ birthday were then commemorated with a dinner onboard HMS Bulwark.
The force is leaving Gibraltar today to take part in the first major test of Cougar, Exercise Corsican Lion, training with the French and their flagship FS Charles de Gaulle, off the eponymous Mediterranean island.
