ILLUSTRIOUS and GLOUCESTER welcomed home after Lebanon operation
3 Aug 06
Sailors onboard the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and the destroyer HMS GLOUCESTER returned to a rapturous welcome from over 2,000 of their loved ones at Portsmouth Naval Base today, Thursday 3 August 2006.
In mid-July, as they neared the end of their deployment on maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean, Illustrious and Gloucester were diverted to join three other Royal Navy ships and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply vessel to take part in a Joint Forces evacuation of over 4,500 British and other nationals from Lebanon, named Operation Highbrow.
Illustrious, in her role as flagship of the Task Group, provided vital command and control for the maritime element of the operation. She also welcomed hundreds of evacuees on board when they were flown out of Beirut by RAF Chinook helicopters.
And whilst Illustrious became flagship of the Task Group, Gloucester was the first British ship to berth in Beirut, parts of which were at the time under air attack by Israel. During three successive voyages between Lebanon and Cyprus, Gloucester took 766 people to safety.
At the end of the operation Gloucester was also the last Royal Navy ship into and out of Beirut – their final act being to withdraw British troops who had been assisting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in processing evacuees.
Gloucester's Commanding Officer, Commander Mike Paterson, said:
"We are delighted to be returning to Portsmouth after four months deployed on operations. The highlight has certainly been the Joint Force operation in Lebanon.
"I am extremely proud of the way the ship’s company responded positively to every demand placed upon them, and in upholding the finest traditions of ‘The Fighting G’ as the ship is affectionately known.
"Without exception, they gave their all to assist those in need, a shining example of the quality and professionalism of our Armed Forces. I am also very grateful for the excellent support of our friends, families and colleagues throughout our time away."
Commander Paterson’s homecoming was particularly emotional – his wife, Anne, greeted him on the jetty with their triplets George, Grace and Harry, born just two weeks before Dad’s ship left Portsmouth in early April.
Overall, the military response to the Government’s call for an evacuation operation by British Forces, demonstrated the flexibility of all three Services in being able to quickly deploy to provide critical humanitarian help.
The Navy was certainly well prepared for what it was called on to do: Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (sometimes known in the Service by the acronym NEO) are regularly rehearsed by Royal Navy ships, and procedures are constantly updated in the light of experience gained in real operations.
Besides Gloucester, the ships committed to the evacuation comprised the Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS York, the frigate HMS St Albans, the assault ship HMS Bulwark, from Devonport, and RFA Fort Victoria, all of which were within a few days sailing time of Beirut.
HMS St Albans
RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) For Victoria (centre)
The RAF contributed Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham, while Army personnel provided military planning and logistics expertise and assisted with the security and handling of evacuees at the dockside in Beirut.
Of the other Portsmouth ships involved in the evacuation operation, HMS St Albans remains on task and is expected to return home in August. HMS York will resume NATO exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean and will head back to Portsmouth later this year.
HMS Illustrious arrives in Portsmouth
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/D...terWelcomedHomeAfterLebanonOperationvideo.htm
3 Aug 06
Sailors onboard the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and the destroyer HMS GLOUCESTER returned to a rapturous welcome from over 2,000 of their loved ones at Portsmouth Naval Base today, Thursday 3 August 2006.
In mid-July, as they neared the end of their deployment on maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean, Illustrious and Gloucester were diverted to join three other Royal Navy ships and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply vessel to take part in a Joint Forces evacuation of over 4,500 British and other nationals from Lebanon, named Operation Highbrow.
Illustrious, in her role as flagship of the Task Group, provided vital command and control for the maritime element of the operation. She also welcomed hundreds of evacuees on board when they were flown out of Beirut by RAF Chinook helicopters.
And whilst Illustrious became flagship of the Task Group, Gloucester was the first British ship to berth in Beirut, parts of which were at the time under air attack by Israel. During three successive voyages between Lebanon and Cyprus, Gloucester took 766 people to safety.
At the end of the operation Gloucester was also the last Royal Navy ship into and out of Beirut – their final act being to withdraw British troops who had been assisting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in processing evacuees.
Gloucester's Commanding Officer, Commander Mike Paterson, said:
"We are delighted to be returning to Portsmouth after four months deployed on operations. The highlight has certainly been the Joint Force operation in Lebanon.
"I am extremely proud of the way the ship’s company responded positively to every demand placed upon them, and in upholding the finest traditions of ‘The Fighting G’ as the ship is affectionately known.
"Without exception, they gave their all to assist those in need, a shining example of the quality and professionalism of our Armed Forces. I am also very grateful for the excellent support of our friends, families and colleagues throughout our time away."
Commander Paterson’s homecoming was particularly emotional – his wife, Anne, greeted him on the jetty with their triplets George, Grace and Harry, born just two weeks before Dad’s ship left Portsmouth in early April.
Overall, the military response to the Government’s call for an evacuation operation by British Forces, demonstrated the flexibility of all three Services in being able to quickly deploy to provide critical humanitarian help.
The Navy was certainly well prepared for what it was called on to do: Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (sometimes known in the Service by the acronym NEO) are regularly rehearsed by Royal Navy ships, and procedures are constantly updated in the light of experience gained in real operations.
Besides Gloucester, the ships committed to the evacuation comprised the Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS York, the frigate HMS St Albans, the assault ship HMS Bulwark, from Devonport, and RFA Fort Victoria, all of which were within a few days sailing time of Beirut.
HMS St Albans
RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) For Victoria (centre)
The RAF contributed Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham, while Army personnel provided military planning and logistics expertise and assisted with the security and handling of evacuees at the dockside in Beirut.
Of the other Portsmouth ships involved in the evacuation operation, HMS St Albans remains on task and is expected to return home in August. HMS York will resume NATO exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean and will head back to Portsmouth later this year.
HMS Illustrious arrives in Portsmouth
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/D...terWelcomedHomeAfterLebanonOperationvideo.htm