HMS Ledbury has just completed a visit to the Albanian Port of Vlore in the company of her NATO counterparts. As part of the standing NATO Mine Counter Measure Group 2 – she arrived in port with ITS Crotone of the Italian Navy and TGC Edincick from the Turkish Navy.
The Task Group spent three days alongside liaising with Albanian colleagues in preparation for several exercises they have planned together.
The port call also gave them the opportunity to explore this cultural city.
During their stopover the ship hosted two visits; the first by Commander Andrew Lamb RN, Squadron Commander of the Second Mine Counter Measure Squadron.
The second visit was from Nicholas Cannon OBE, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Albania and his wife.
On departure the Task Group sailed in the company of two Albanian Navy ships, the Oriku and the Archangel.
The enlarged Task Group then conducted manoeuvres in the Bay of Vlore, led by HMS Ledbury.
On reaching open water, the Albanian warship Oriku conducted a Replenishment at Sea with both ITS Crotone and HMS Ledbury.
Commanding Officer of HMS Ledbury, Lt Cdr Justin Hains RN , said:
“I am very proud to have taken part in today’s exercises.
“The Albanian Navy and the City of Vlore have made us feel very welcome here.
“I was delighted to see the high professional standards set by all of the ships involved. This was a great opportunity for our nations to practice working together at sea.”
HMS Ledbury is the British component of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2), joining other mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels from a variety of NATO nations for approximately three months.
The NATO Task Group contributes to maritime security as part of Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean Sea, in addition to practicing its core role of defeating mines.
[mappress] Press Release, June 20, 2013; Image: Royal Navy