HMS Bulwark, the Plymouth based Fleet Flagship, hosted a Capability Demonstration and Official Reception during her recent visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Over 150 guests including Her Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai, Mr Edward Hobart, and a number of guests from the Emirati and British business community attended the reception.
Captain Andrew Burns Royal Navy, Commanding Officer HMS Bulwark, and the Consul General to Dubai gave a formal welcome. Guests were then escorted on an informative tour of the amphibious assault ship. During the tour, the Ship simulated how it would respond to a missile attack, and how this would be controlled from the Combined Operations Room and on the Bridge.
The evening concluded with a Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony; the lowering of Royal Navy’s White Ensign flag.
Commanding Officer, Captain Andrew Burns said,
“Capability Demonstration Receptions are fantastic opportunities that enable my Ship’s Company to showcase the amphibious capability of HMS Bulwark, and the role of the Royal Navy in the Middle East.
“This event was well attended and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive showing how worthwhile it has been.”
The RFTG is the United Kingdom’s high readiness maritime force, comprising ships, submarines, survey vessels, aircraft and a landing force of Royal Marines, at short notice to act in response to any contingency tasking if required.
The Cougar 13 deployment will operate in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, the Gulf, and Horn of Africa. It involves exercising with partner nations, and will show the UK Armed Forces’ capacity to project an effective maritime component anywhere in the world as part of the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group, commanded by Commodore Paddy McAlpine OBE ADC Royal Navy.
[mappress] Press Release, October 25, 2013; Image: Royal Navy