Page 97 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
HMS NORTHUMBERLAND shadowed by Russian Destroyer VICE ADMIRAL KULAKOV
British Army personnel deployed on Op CABRIT were able to visit the Ship in Tallinn, Estonia
On completion of this two week training period, in early September NORTHUMBERLAND took command of a combined UK and Norwegian task group destined for an operation in the Southern Barents Sea. This successful mis- sion in what is known as the “High North” was designed to prove the Royal Navy’s ability to operate and sustain in this unfor- giving region with our allies. It also pre- sented an opportunity to pay tribute to those lost in Arctic Convoy PQ18 during the Second World War, with a ceremony taking place on NORTHUMBERLAND’s flight deck to commemorate. During the operation – conducted largely within the Russian Northern Fleet’s exercise areas – the task group was near continuously shadowed by Russian warships and air- craft. Photo here: NORT5.jpg. Caption “HMS NORTHUMBERLAND shadowed by Russian Destroyer VICE ADMIRAL KULAKOV”
In October the Ship took part in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR, a large NATO exercise around the UK. NORTHUMBERLAND’s role (as you might expect) was primar- ily based around anti-submarine exer- cises, notably spending a week “com- bating” a Norwegian diesel submarine as her submarine command course stu- dents took turns to attempting to sneak into the approaches to the Clyde. This exercise quickly turned into live opera- tions as NORTHUMBERLAND was called upon to lead live operations in the North Atlantic as the local undersea war- fare commander of a highly classified French, Norwegian, UK and US mis- sion. Following successful completion of this operation, NORTHUMBERLAND completed her deployment just before Christmas and is currently regenerating to re-deploy in the Spring.
Lt Cdr K Walkley RN – Operations Officer
of NATO Warships at permanent readi- ness in Northern Europe – as part of the UK’s enhanced attribution of forces to NATO in response to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Over nearly two months, the task group entered the Baltic Sea, conducting air defence exercises en-route with British and German Typhoon fast-jets and anti- submarine exercises using an underwater drone which simulates a submarine.
Once inside the Baltic Sea the task group was approached and shadowed by Russian Navy warships and military aircraft while they conducted patrol and exercise activ- ity in the region, however the interactions remained safe and professional at all times.
NORTHUMBERLAND’s final major activity with the task group was a Defence Engagement visit to Tallinn, Estonia in April. While there, the Ship hosted vis- its from the Head of the Estonian Navy, as well as the British Ambassador and members of the British Army deployed on Op CABRIT. On completion of that port visit, NORTHUMBERLAND detached from SNMG1 and conducted a short exer- cise with the Lithuanian Navy before returning back to Devonport. Photo here: NORT3.jpg. Caption “British Army per- sonnel deployed on Op CABRIT were able to visit the Ship in Tallinn, Estonia”
A three week period of post deployment leave was then taken by the majority of Ship’s Company during May, before returning to begin an intensive mainte- nance period for the Ship through the sum- mer. In a short six-week period the Ship underwent what amounts to a full “MOT & service” of its materiel and administra- tive state in order to ensure she was ready to deploy again for a further four months at the end of August.
Returning from pre-deployment leave in August the Ship’s Company hit the ground running, embarking 60 days of food and provisions before sailing that same night.
The first order of business was conducting a period with FOST (Fleet Operational Standards and Training), the RN’s world- renowned training organisation, in order to prove that NORTHUMBERLAND remained ready for anything asked of her. An intensive period of training at sea was, however, punctuated by the solemn news of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. NORTHUMBERLAND had the honour of conducting a 96 gun salute the following day, concurrent with other warships at sea and units ashore around the globe, and the Ship’s company lined the upper deck while the gun salute rang out into the Norwegian Sea. With cer- emonial duties completed, the training immediately recommenced with the Ship’s Company put through its paces by FOST, successfully conducting simulated battle damage exercises to prove its ability to deal with fires and floods at sea on opera- tions. Photo here: NORT4.jpg. Caption “HMS NORTHUMBERLAND conducts a 96 Gun Salute to mark the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II”
The Ship’s Company enjoys some downtime at anchor with SNMG1 prior to entering the Baltic Sea
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