Royal Navy warship HMS Iron Duke has been proving her versatility on her current Atlantic Patrol Task (North) deployment, with two very different commitments in the space of a few days.

At the end of February, the Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate arrived in the Caribbean island of St Lucia, where she took part in celebrations to mark the island’s independence.

But just days later she was on her way across the Atlantic as part of a Joint Task Force, demonstrating the UK’s continuing commitment to the troubled West African state.

In St Lucia, Iron Duke’s 24-man guard took part in a ceremonial parade attended by the Governor General and Prime Minister.

The ship’s Lynx helicopter carried out a flypast of the stadium complete with under slung St Lucian and Union Jack flags before platoons marched through the capital Castries to a civic reception.

The Royal Navy guard were inspected by the Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, at the parade at Minoo Phillip Park in Castries, where the Type 23 frigate was berthed.

Also present were the Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony, who was joined by the Commanding Officer of Iron Duke, Cdr Philip Warwick.

Later, as part of a St Lucia Save the Children initiative, the ship hosted 25 underprivileged children, treating them to lunch, party games and much-prized Iron Duke baseball caps.

Within 48 hours the ship had left the island in her wake and was heading for a very different task on the eastern side of the Atlantic.

In a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 1999, the British Government pledged to send up to 5,000 troops to Sierra Leone if requested by the United Nations.

With all eyes focused on the Gulf, and after recent trouble on the Liberian border, it was decided now would be a prudent time to test how fast a substantial force could deploy.

The arrival of Iron Duke caused quite a stir in Freetown, and made front-page news in several newspapers, with Cdr Warwick also interviewed on local television.

Since then, Iron Duke and her embarked Royal Marines have carried out joint exercises with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Maritime Wing and soldiers from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

It was the first experience of maritime operations for the Gurkhas, who took part in fast patrol boats along the coast with Royal Marines from the Fleet Standby Rifle Troop and the RSLAF.

Cdr Warwick said the ship was delighted at the chance to train alongside the Gurkhas.

“It was quite an experience for them,” said Cdr Warwick. “They had never attempted anything like it before, but they certainly seemed to enjoy themselves, even if they did get very wet.”

Iron Duke was last in Freetown from October 2000 to March 2001, and the crew have taken the chance to renew some old friendships. During her last visit the ship’s company helped rebuild the Cape Community School, which had been destroyed during civil unrest.

“Three of the current ship’s company were among the original helpers at the school, and they were particularly pleased to return,” said Cdr Warwick.

“A lot of good work has been carried out by the local population since our last visit and we hope to be able to provide some more assistance during our stay here.”

He added: “The challenge provided by the very different tasking has again demonstrated the flexibility and versatility of the Type 23 frigate and a well-trained ship’s company.

“The contribution of the maritime component, provided by Iron Duke, RFA Black Rover, the FSRT and the ship’s Lynx helicopter, has played a key part in the joint theatre of operations.”

Iron Duke is expected to conduct counter-drugs operations in the Caribbean for a significant part of this month, as well as supporting UK interests in the region.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet tanker Black Rover has been on counter-drugs operations herself, deploying into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America with US Coast Guard cutter Diligence earlier this year.

While in the Pacific the crew of the auxiliary traced the footsteps of Sir Francis Drake by landing boats on a Costa Rican shoreline.

Drake’s Bay – not a frequent stop-off point for RFA ships, is on the west side of the Osa Peninsula, along the country’s southern pacific coast.

The highlight of the ship’s three-day visit was the first re-enactment of Drake’s landing, with Second Officer Andy McGovarin taking the lead role with costumes provided by British Embassy staff.

Local people joined in with plenty of enthusiasm, with schoolchildren boarding Black Rover to dress as pirates and accompany Drake ashore – many had walked miles from outlying villages to attend the event.

Once on dry land, ‘Drake’ read a brief speech, conveying greetings from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I and requested clean water, supplies and food. He then led the children on a treasure hunt.

When Sir Francis Drake first landed on the beach 424 years ago, Queen Elizabeth was in England, but in the re-enactment the monarch was very much part of the landing crew. Played by Third Officer Suzy Thomson, the queen graciously distributed sweets to the waiting children.

RFA Black Rover’s role is to supply ships of the Royal Navy and allied navies with fuel, lubricants and a limited range of stores. Ships of her class are often used as support ships for ‘singleton’ deployments, such as the Atlantic Patrol Taskings (North) and (South).