HMS Iron Duke Participates in Cape Verde’s Celebrations

UK Navy’s HMS Iron Duke has demonstrated her boarding and helicopter operations at Cape Verde’s Independence Day celebrations.

The frigate stopped at the islands, off the West Coast of Africa, as part of her role to offer training and capability development to partner nations and improve security in the region.

But the visit also tied in with Cape Verde Independence Day celebrations and the ship’s company were fortunate enough to play a role in this important national event.

On a beach near the main port city of Mindelo, Sao Vincente, the ship staged a capability demonstration of boarding operations using her seaboats and Lynx helicopter.

In front of a large crowd HMS Iron Duke’s boats, ‘Panther’ and ‘Sabre’ played the part of a hostile force and a boarding team, while ‘Duchess’, the helicopter, provided armed overwatch of the scene.

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Press Release, July 09, 2014; Image: UK Navy