The crew of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke have started a period of training under direction of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) after completing a maintenance period.
This period marks the end of her busy operational period in the first half of 2016, which saw the ship deploy as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 for maritime security operations in the Baltic Sea.
Following a maintenance and upgrade period, a significant turnover of personnel have departed and new personnel have joined the ship. The ship has also welcomed a new commanding officer.
Commander Steve Banfield MBE, the new CO commented: “After the next 4 weeks of operational sea training, the program will see the ship operating in waters much closer to home, responding to emergent tasking around the UK and facilitating the training of the next generation of sailors.”
Operational sea training will test the ship’s company in warfare tactics, damage control, fire fighting and a variety of other skills.
According to the Royal Navy, Iron Duke will be ready for tasking in the New Year after the final assessment.