HMS Albion has returned to her home port of Plymouth from a three month long autumn deployment to the Mediterranean.
Working together with HMS Dragon and RFA Lyme Bay, the task group had focused on developing the Future Navy and Royal Marine’s Future Commando Force. This included testing new equipment, such as drones, which could be used for resupplying equipment to troops on the ground and underwater autonomous sonars to help map beach landings.
Over 40 experimental concepts were conducted in nine major exercises and in addition to experimentation, the Royal Navy crews worked alongside NATO allies and regional partners to promote stability and security in the Mediterranean.
The task group trained alongside the military from Cyprus, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine.
This included NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian over 200 ships were investigated. These consisted mainly of cargo vessels, tankers and container ships operating on a vital commercial transit route between Asia, Africa and Europe.
Speaking about the deployment, HMS Albion executive officer Commander Jason Eacock said:
“The Littoral Response Group (Experimentation) task group has paved the way for the Future Navy and Future Commando Force. This deployment has focused on testing new ideas, concepts and kit to help us constantly adapt in a changing world. Additionally, we have also completed vital work in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Black Sea Regions alongside our NATO and regional allies to support regional security and stability.
“I am extremely proud of what has been achieved from our sailors and Royal Marines within this three-month deployment, especially with the added pressures and complications from COVID-19. We now look forward to reuniting with our family and friends for the Christmas holidays, and we thank them for supporting us during our time away.”
It was the first deployment for many of the ship’s Company. The youngest sailor onboard HMS Albion, Able Seaman Tom Curry said:
“This was my first deployment since joining the Royal Navy. Due to the pandemic, we were unable to leave the ship. However, this meant that we embraced life onboard. To see how we are shaping the future for both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines has been really exciting.”
Although the deployment has finished, the beginnings of what they have achieved has just started. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines will continue to develop and learn from the deployment and prepare for future testing in the New Year.
