UK: HMS Diamond Hosts Visit from Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander

HMS Diamond has hosted a visit from the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander, Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC. The Admiral, who is responsible for providing ships, submarines, aircraft and Royal Marine units ready in all respects for any operations that the UK Government requires, was joined by the Chief of Materiel (Fleet) (COM(F)), Vice Admiral Andrew Mathews CB.

Admiral Zambellas was in Bahrain to witness the work of the United Kingdom Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) and associated British units working in the Middle East towards maintaining regional security and promote stability.

During his programme, the Fleet Commander visited HMS Diamond for an update brief on the warship’s operations in the area so far.

As well as COM(F), Fleet Commander was accompanied by the Commander UKMCC, Commodore Simon Ancona, the Assistant Chief of Staff (Warfare), Commodore Chris Richards, and Deputy Flag Officer Sea Training, Commodore John Weale OBE.

Following a briefing on Diamond’s recent activities, such as boarding and air defence exercises at sea with regional partners including the United Arab Emirates and Oman, the group toured the Ship’s Operations Room where they met many of the personnel who have made a significant contribution towards recent missions.

He heard about the activities the Ship has carried out not only to exercise its own core skills but also to work alongside other nations in promoting and maintaining maritime security at sea.

Lieutenant Commander John Cromie Royal Navy, the Ship’s Operations Officer who briefed the Flag Officers, said:

“HMS Diamond has carried out some really important work in the Middle East during the last 4 months.

“We have worked with many other nations, both regional and international, to support maritime security and interoperability in the area and we were pleased to be able to explain this to our guests today.”

On completion of the tour Fleet Commander then met with the Ship’s Executive Warrant Officer, Thomas ‘Sharkey’ Ward and presented him with his Meritorious Service Medal, in recognition of over 30 years service in the Royal Navy.

WO1 Ward, whose training including working onboard the previous HMS Diamond, a harbour training ship, in 1979, is in his final assignment in the Service before he retires in 2013.

Diamond is operating in the Middle East under Combined Task Force 152, along with ships from other navies who are committed to providing greater security to the region. On completion of her six month scheduled deployment, Diamond will return to her home port of Portsmouth in December 2012.

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Naval Today Staff, October 16, 2012; Image: Royal Navy