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CLYDE CHRONICLE

FOUR YEARS IN THE FALKLANDS

As flight crews change, infantry regiments hand over to the next group of soldiers and aircrafttypes come and go; HMS CLYDE has remained a constant presence around the islands sincearriving in 2007. During that time she has conducted countless patrols in these waters, visitedmost of the settlements around the coast of East and West Falkand, provided a vital training

partner for the Army and RAF and a permanent reassurance to the Islanders.

CLYDEs anniversary celebrations coincided with the visit of the Second Sea Lord andCommander in Chief Naval Home Command, Vice Admiral Charles Montgomery who was onhand to cut the cake on the Flight Deck alongside its creator Chef Mark Winnall and threemembers of the Ships Company with a particular connection to the anniversary celebrations.

FAMILIAR FALKLANDS FACES

Whilst many of the current roulement were invery different places four years ago, three ofthe current Ships Company were here doing

just what they are doing now. ET(ME) CraigWiggins and LS(CIS) Michael Hearn broughtCLYDE out of build in 2007. PO(AH) MarkBrook joined the ship shortly after duringinitial aviation trials. All three were onboardas CLYDE arrived in the Falklands for thefirst time four years ago.

ET(ME) Wiggins is now serving in CLYDE forthe third time, similarly LS(CIS) Hearn, whoserved in CLYDEs predecessorDUMBARTON CASTLE is now also on histhird South Atlantic deployment.

PO(AH) Brook is in charge of the Flight Deckonboard, he also served in DUMBARTON

CASTLE prior to joining CLYDE and hasdeveloped more of a tie to the Islands thanmost. He is engaged to a resident of Stanleywith the marriage planned for early next year.

COsRoundupOperationalSeaTrainingwithStafffromFaslanetravelling8000milestotraintheShipsCompanywentsuccessfully,andtheShipreceivedaVerySatisfactoryresultforherMaterialandSafetyCheckandalsoforherFinalInspection. Itwasajobwelldonebyall.AnotherbusymonthforCLYDE,butparticularlynicetocelebrateher4thAnniversaryintheatre,withthebackdropofSanCarlosWatertoremindusexactlywhyCLYDEishere.

COMINGUP

ThenextmonthseesCLYDEvisitSouthGeorgiaofferingmanyoftheShipsCompanytheirfirstchancetoexperiencethemagnificentsceneryandwildlifeoftheremoteisland.OnherreturnCLYDEwillfinalisepreparationstoembarkonthelongtripeasttoSouthAfricaforaperiodofmaintenance.TherewillbephotosandmuchmorefromSouthGeorgiaandSouthAfricaincomingissues.

SEPTEMBER 2011

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FROMTHEDESERTTOTHEDEEPBLUESEAThe Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (PWRR) are perhaps better known for the role they have played in Iraq and Afghanistan over recent years

but over the last couple of months they have been getting used to a whole new operating environment. As part of Exercise Cape Bayonet they have

become regular visitors to HMS CLYDE in her role as an amphibious platform for the movement and launching of troops in various locations around

the Islands. For a period of 24 hours CLYDE clears space for up to 100 soldiers from the Roulement Infantry Company who live, eat and sleep in

whatever space can be found prior to launch via Landing Craft from 460 Port & Maritime Troop (RLC), or CLYDEs Rigid Raider. Last month the Sea

King crew from 1564 Flt also got involved providing a vital air lift capability, transporting supplies and passengers to and from the ship showing how

effective the combination of all three services working together can be.

For many of the PWRR soldiers this is their first experience of being at sea let alone being onboard a Royal Navy warship, some fare better with the

sea state than others and many express disbelief that sailors can live in a metal box for months on end (Many sailors feel the same about fields

and ditches it must be said). The final verdict however is almost always positive, with the soldiers departing with positive memories of their time

onboard and with CLYDE proving as always that she plays a vital and versatile role in partnership with the Army and RAF all around the Islands.

SECOND SEA LORD VISITS CLYDE

Second Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command Vice Admiral Charles Montgomery CBE ADC, accompanied by his Flag Lt and

the Warrant Officer of the Naval Service, WO1 Terry Casey, visited CLYDE to witness her role in theatre and gain an insight into the vital work the

Ships Company perform around the Falkland Islands. 2SL spent time with all onboard and answered questions on personnel and training issues for

which he has overall responsibility within the RN. He also accompanied a group from CLYDE on a visit to the settlement at San Carlos Water to

meet residents and visit the monument to those who lost their lives in 1982. A former member of HMS ANTELOPEs Ships Company it was

poignant for him to pay his respects to the TYPE 21 Memorial in San Carlos, and as the Ship passed the wreck of the ANTELOPE. On his

departure Vice Admiral Montgomery left a parting message for the Ships Company congratulating the ship on her ongoing work and describing his

experience onboard as a most enjoyable, informative, engaging and valuable visit.

2SL took the opportunity to present a member of the Ships Company with a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in recognition of 15 years

service in the Royal Navy. LS(CIS) Michael Hearn (a familiar face already in this issue) joined the RN in 1996 and has spent much of his career in

the Fishery Protection Squadron and small ships in general, and it was fitting that he was able to receive his medal from the 2SL in front of thewhole Ships Company on the Flight Deck against the backdrop of San Carlos Water.

LS(CIS)HearnisawardedhisLSGCMedalby2SLinfrontofrestoftheShipsCompany