Black Duke in successful Gulf exercises
22 ships from the UK, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, France and the US take part...

Currently operating in the Gulf region as part of Operation Telic, HMS Monmouth (The Black Duke) recently participated in Exercise Stakenet Plus.

The exercise lasted 11 days with 22 ships from the UK, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, France and the US taking part. The aim of Stakenet Plus was to test a range of scenarios in order to develop regional capacity for the protection of key economic and energy infrastructure in the region.

The provision of maritime protection to oil platforms, a major source of income for this area of the world and a key function of the Operation Telic tasking, was practiced in a variety of situations to ensure all units remain fully ready to deter any potential aggressors in the region.

The exercise started with welcoming remarks in the recently opened Command Task Force 152 Headquarters in Abu Dhabi by Commodore Tim Lowe, in his capacity as Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces. This was followed by an address to all the nations taking part in the exercise by Colonel Tariq Al Zaabi, the head of the Task Force in theatre. Throughout the 11 days, the ships participated in a range of serials which spanned the spectrum of naval warfare and culminated in a salvage exercise.

Highlights for Monmouth included a surface warfare serial against the FS Primauguet. The 12-hour ‘battle’ proved extremely useful, practising detection, tracking and missile release and proved a warm welcome for the French ship, which had arrived in theatre only 30 hours previously. One of the Principal Warfare Officers on board HMS Monmouth, Lieutenant Commander Paul Coverdale, said: “The serial was fantastic, allowing both sides to fully test their warfare teams. The French proved extremely capable opponents and really pushed us to our limits.”

Stakenet Plus also provided an opportunity for the ship’s boarding teams, comprising Royal Marines (RM) and members of the ship’s company, to board the USS Cleveland. The ship’s company of Cleveland immersed themselves fully in their role and really put Monmouth’s ‘Blue’ and ‘Green’ teams, as they are referred onboard, through their paces. Sergeant Thomas RM, second in command of the ‘Green Team’ said: “USS Cleveland provided a superb training session. The ship’s company really got into character and tested the teams. We definitely learnt some lessons that we can put into practice to improve our capability in the Gulf.”

In between the various serials programmed, there was also an opportunity for members of HMS Monmouth’s ship’s company to visit USS Cleveland to see how a U.S. warship operates on a day to day basis. Several of their U.S. counterparts also opted to take this chance to see ‘behind the scenes’ of a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate and meet some of the people they had been interacting with for the past few days. The general agreements was that these ‘cross-pols,’ as they are referred to, were a success and a great deal was learnt about each other which can only serve to improve the already well-integrated working relationship between the two countries and the Task Group as a whole.

The search and rescue aspect of the exercise centred round UAENS Bani Yas. Here the UAE ship sustained simulated ‘damage’ after a fire in her engine room. The scenario had the crew simulating extinguishing the fire but suffering several casualties in the process. Monmouth sent her search and rescue teams, including medical care and associated equipment, to aid the ‘debilitated’ vessel and their crew.

‘The Black Duke’s’ Salvage Officer, Lieutenant Commander Gary Rawlings, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the rescue and assistance teams to practice one of our most important capabilities. A great deal was learnt which could realistically be put into practice for real whilst we are deployed on operations.”

The exercise was deemed a resounding success and overall proved a fantastic learning opportunity for all participants. Leading Seaman Kev Garrett, a warfare specialist onboard HMS Monmouth, said: “The exercise has been valuable as it allowed us to test our reactions to a variety of scenarios we could face whilst on task in the Gulf. To see the capabilities of the other nations was impressive and we’ve definitely learnt a lot from how they operate.”

‘The Black Duke’ has now headed back North to continue with her primary task of protecting the Iraqi Oil Platforms.