Imogen Rogers – 15th May 2025 at 10:11am

Less than three months into his post, a Royal Navy commander has been removed from his role while being investigated over sexual allegations.

It’s understood Lieutenant Commander Martyn Mayger was removed from command this past week.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed “that a member of the Armed Forces is under investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command in respect of these allegations”.

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“As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the MOD added.

“We have a zero-tolerance approach to criminal and inappropriate behaviour.

“Our people can be assured that should they raise any allegation, they will be fully supported, and the matter investigated, with appropriate action taken as required.”

Senior officers can be removed from command and duties if there’s reasonable suspicion of a sexual relationship with a subordinate within their chain of command.

Lt Cdr Mayger took charge of HMS Tyne in February – the vessel’s executive officer is taking his place temporarily.

The River-class offshore patrol vessel operates in UK and European waters on security tasks – protecting the UK’s interests and remains ready to carry out marine enforcement operations.

Earlier this month, she was deployed as part of a Nato operation to shadow the Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar as it made its way back to Russia from the eastern Mediterranean.

Tyne intercepted the Krasnodar when it entered the English Channel near the French coast and monitored its movements as it headed east – the crew then handed over to Nato allies as the submarine left UK waters.

The allegations against Lt Cdr Mayger come after the former head of Royal Navy, Sir Benjamin Key, was told to step back amid reports of an alleged affair with a subordinate – the MoD said the investigation was “ongoing.”

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has now been named as the new head of the Royal Navy – following the earlier-than-expected departure of his predecessor.

14th May 2025 at 10:21am

The Royal Navy’s HMS Dauntless, part of CSG25, has docked in Souda Bay in Crete, alongside the rest of the fleet, in the first run ashore of the deployment.

In a post on X, the ship’s crew said: “There will be meetings to discuss Medstrike and lessons learned,” adding that personnel are due to enjoy some downtime, with the chance to rest and take part in fitness and adventure training.

In recent days, Type 45 destroyer Dauntless has been conducting gunnery training alongside HMS Richmond, as well as taking part in various other serials on Exercise Med Strike, alongside the Italian Navy.

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Twenty-one warships, three submarines, 41 fast jets, 19 helicopters, 10 patrol aircraft and 8,000 personnel were involved in the joint exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.

The exercise was also a test of air defence skills, including fending off aerial drone attacks.

UK and Italian F-35B Lightnings took to the air during Ex Med Strike, with HMS Prince of Wales working closely with the Italian aircraft carrier, ITS Cavour.

Warships and submarines from both the UK and Italy also trained together, practising anti-submarine warfare tactics.

Earlier in the CSG deployment, HMS Dauntless also concluded an air defence exercise, demonstrating how she can help defend the wider task group.

Twelve countries are taking part in the carrier strike group deployment, known as Operation Highmast, which will last eight months and cover more than 30,000 miles. 

CSG25 is due to take part in more large-scale exercises with allies in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia during this time.

More than 4,500 British military personnel are involved, including almost 600 RAF, 900 soldiers, and 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.

Tom Sables – 14th May 2025 at 3:45pm

RFA Tidespring has broken away from Carrier Strike Group 25 while the ships transit the Suez Canal and Red Sea.

Instead, the tanker will head south around the Cape of Good Hope before rejoining them in the Indian Ocean.

Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have raised tensions in the region, which has left some wondering if that is why the ship has temporarily left the group.

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Dr Phil Weir, a naval historian and author, said the decision to detach from the group could be for a number of reasons.

“Whoever detached would have to miss a big Nato exercise, so you don’t necessarily want to do that either because it’s obviously great practice and great training,” he said.

“The ship’s decision to detach will have been taken before the declared ceasefire came in, which we don’t really know how far that extends and how stable it is anyway.

“So in those circumstances, detaching your key air defence destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Type 45, would be, I think it’s fair to say, tactically ambitious when heading through an area that might find anti-ship missiles flying and drones and so forth. 

“That would really be a no, no. Beyond that, you start to run into the political because of course the carrier strike group is a multinational endeavour.

“Realistically, none of the allies are going to want to be seen as sort of caveating and stepping away from dangerous areas.”

The Cape of Good Hope is located on the southwestern coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, with RFA Tidespring travelling around the south of the African continent before heading into the Indian Ocean.

Dr Weir said the ship would be able to deal with small surface threats in the region and would have a Merlin helicopter to “hugely increase their situational awareness”.

“They may find themselves with a small 42 Commando team aboard that might help with any anti-piracy work if they do any around that sort of area,” he said.

“So for the job that she’s being sent to do, she’s eminently capable.”

He went on: “What I suspect is going on is that Tidespring is heading down the west coast of Africa almost to cover for other ships that Britain has that are currently under refit. 

“We can probably expect Tidespring to find her way down to start exercising with other navies, possibly around Sierra Leone, Nigeria.”

But what is the ship’s role in the deployment and and how will the carrier strike group operate without her?

Well, Dr Weir said the ship is there predominantly to supply fuel to the ships of the carrier strike group. 

“She’s civilian-manned by members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Her main job is logistics, with a slight sideline in having an AWS Merlin helicopter aboard,” he said.

He acknowledged that he has no direct knowledge of the exact route CSG25 will be taking, but said the Norwegian ship, which carries out a similar role to Tidespring, is still with the group.

Dr Weir did point out, however, that the Norwegian ship has more capability to supply food, ammunition and other solid stores than Tidespring does.