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Royal Navy Warship HMS Grimsby made two enjoyable but short visits to the North East as part of a regional engagement programme and in support of a traditional celebration close to the heart of all sailors, Trafalgar Day.

The 450-tonne Mine Countermeasures Vessel was first alongside at Victoria Quay in Hartlepool for a 2 day stay before departing Teesside for the short trip north to transit under the Millennium Bridge and berth at Newcastle Quays.

The ship – under the command of Lieutenant Commander Mark Hammon Royal Navy then returned to her busy programme conducting operational tasking around UK waters.

Lt Cdr Mark Hammon said:

“It is vital to us in the Royal Navy that we are able to make visits like these to key British ports such as Hartlepool and Newcastle to reinforce our close bonds that come about as a result of our being an island nation largely reliant on the sea for our economy and security.

“I know that my Crew have had and excellent time in the North East, Hartlepool was fantastic and Newcastle is also a favourite place to visit for the Royal Navy, two cities where we are always assured of a warm welcome.”

SLt Martyn Harris RN- Navigating Officer of HMS Grimsby said:

“It’s my first ever visit to the North East, and it has been brilliant, everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly.

“Almost half of the Crew are from this area and for them it has been a bit of a home-coming.”

Sailors were sent to numerous events around the area, including a celebration of Nelson’s “right hand man” at Trafalgar, Admiral Lord Collingwood where a “celebratory tot” was drunk in his honour.

Following the success of the two previous visits, the Crew of HMS Grimsby then found themselves in the East; conducting Remembrance Sunday in the town of Grimsby. 12 members of the ships company were present for the ceremonies, which were conducted in company with 250 Medical Squadron (TA) and other organisations including Sea Cadets and Sea Scout Groups.

The ceremonies involved a march through the town to the War memorial, the laying of wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy and a march past for the Mayor of Grimsby.

SLt Stephanie Moss RN, an officer under training on board HMS Grimsby, was “deeply moved by the occasion and felt that it provided a fitting remembrance to those who gave so much for their country.”

All those who took part in the events in Grimsby were made to feel very welcome not only by those hoisting them, but by all the people of the town.
Press Release, November 25, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

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NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. – Cmdr. John Croghan relieved Cmdr. Brien Dickson as Commanding Officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) during a pier side ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma Nov. 22.

Capt. Thomas Ishee, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He congratulated Dickson on a job well done and remarked that Croghan comes to Jefferson City with impressive credentials and many successes.

Under Dickson’s command, Jefferson City conducted operations in a wide range of environments demonstrating the submarine force’s ability to provide U.S. combatant commanders highly capable, multi-mission platforms to support both the maritime strategy and national security objectives. The submarine traveled more than 62,000 nautical miles under Dickson’s command.

“All that Jefferson City has accomplished, could not have been achieved without the hard work and diligence of the Sailors,” said Dickson, addressing the Jefferson City crew. “You should be very proud of these accomplishments, as I am proud of each of you.”

Cmdr. Dickson, a native of Casper, Wyo., will transfer to Commander, Submarine Squadron Eleven, where he will serve as deputy commander.

Cmdr. Croghan, a native of Carson City, Nev., began his Navy career in 1986 as an enlisted machinist’s mate. He was selected to participate in the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1993 and attended Auburn University. He graduated with distinction in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned via Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Pensacola, Fla.

USS Jefferson City is homeported in Naval Base Point Loma and is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11, which consists of six Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, the Undersea Rescue Command, one torpedo retriever, and a floating dry-dock.
Press Release, November 25, 2013; Image: US Navy

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HMS Dragon returned home to Portsmouth on Friday (November 22) from eight months on operations in the Indian Ocean and eastern Mediterranean. Hundreds of friends and family turned out to welcome the ship back home joined by Portsmouth Military Wives Choir and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth.

The youngest crew member, 20-year-old Engineering Technician Grant Mitchell and Commanding Officer’s wife, Pippa Lower, were invited to cut a special welcome home cake created as a gift to the ship in celebration of the occasion.

The ship marked her return by firing a 17-gun salute on her approach to Portsmouth Harbour.

The Type 45 destroyer’s maiden deployment included maritime security and counter piracy patrols in the Gulf and operations in the Mediterranean as part of the UK response to the recent crisis in Middle East.

Dragon was deployed off Cyprus to help protect the two sovereign base areas on the island which are home to more than 6,000 British service personnel and their families.

Dragon combined with RAF units to generate a constant picture of activity in the region as part of the air defence effort.

In the Indian Ocean Dragon visited nearly all of the Gulf states including Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Dragon’s tasking also included the use of Royal Marines and the ship’s boats to visit local fisherman – providing an ever-watching presence to contribute to the security of the seas and prevent acts of piracy.

The ship also worked closely with the UK minehunter force in the region, escorting them around the Arabian seas as required.

And in exercises with western allies, including the United States, Dragon showed off her power and capabilities and worked with an array of military firepower in the skies above the Gulf – including US Navy fighter jets and unmanned air vehicles.

Dragon has clocked up more than 50,000 nautical miles since leaving the UK in March. Her Commanding Officer, Captain Iain Lower, said:

“As HMS Dragon returns after her first ever deployment I am immensely proud of what my ship’s company have achieved in the last eight months.

“Dragon’s success is testament to the agility and hard work of all her people who, building on the fine work of her predecessors, have set the standard for integration with our allies particularly with the United States Navy.

“When taken alongside the challenging environmental conditions and engineering and logistical complexities, I am very proud of the team.”

ET (ME) Grant Mitchell, added:

“It is a great feeling to be coming home after all we have done as a ship’s company in the last eight months.

“Working with so many other countries’ navies and visiting so many places has been a great experience.”

Press Release, November 25, 2013; Image: Navy

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