The focus of world attention may be on the war in Iraq, but no one should forget that it is business as usual in other parts of the globe, according to one of our most senior officers.

Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Jonathon Band paid tribute to the efforts of the men and women involved in fighting and support operations in the Middle East and at home, but he was determined that other operations were not forgotten.

“Clearly at a time like this, embarked on major operations in the Middle East, the focus will be on them and the Royal Navy’s part in it,” Admiral Band told Navy News.

“But I still think it is important that people do not forget that the Navy continues with operations around the world.

“For example, the deterrent and the deployment of HMS Iron Duke, RFA Black Rover and Royal Marines protection teams to Sierra Leone which has just successfully been achieved.”

Admiral Band hoped that further successes in a wide range of Navy operations, from anti-drugs patrols in the Caribbean, to Operation Active Endeavour in the Med to fishery protection duties around the UK coast.

“This is an issue of giving due coverage to what is happening, and importantly for our own people to see them getting the credit for what they do,” he said.

“Clearly with the very major operation we have been involved in, there is huge strain on the Navy and its people, and certainly if there is no solution to the fire-fighters’ strike then the strain will continue to be enormous."

Operation Telic, the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein and disarm his regime has shown the value of the Navy’s amphibious capability and advanced force and strike operations.

“Our major contribution was to get an amphibious task group, based around HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and the supporting RFAs, and one of the Royal Marines Commandos, into the area by sea, and to join up with the Armilla, Oracle, Survey, Submarine and MCM forces already there.

“That was achieved - we were there by February 15, which was the day we said we’d be there.”

The deployment of 3 Commando Brigade had been a crucial factor in the early stages of the war, with 40 Cdo and 42 Cdo being put into the Al Faw peninsula.

That mission was achieved with great success, as was the subsequent move by 42 Cdo into the port of Umm Qasr and that of both commanded in the liberation of Basra.

“The attack into the Al Faw was supported by 845 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons, based in HMS Ocean, and No 8 Squadron RAF Chinooks and 849 Squadron from HMS Ark Royal.

“The taking of the Al Faw was very important for two reasons: one, it secured an area of strategic oil importance, and second, it allowed us to start the mine countermeasures effort to make it safe to get shipping up to Umm Qasr.

“The MCM operations will continue for some time, but we were able to get RFA Sir Galahad with the initial load of humanitarian assistance into Umm Qasr in the first week."

The MCM force and Diving Group subsequently worked to clear the approaches to, and jetties of, Umm Qasr for later merchant ships.

“The start of the operation saw two very sad helicopter accidents. The first involved the deaths of eight members of 3 Commando Brigade during the assault when the American helicopter in which they were flying crashed.

“The next night we had the terrible collision between two Sea King Mk 7s of 849 A Flight.

“With regard to the latter, the squadron had been providing vital overland reconnaissance and air control in support of 3 Cdo Bde, realising very significant improvements in our support of the Marines ashore.

“But these crashes should in no way detract from the success across the board of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and RFA operations to date.

“Our submarines HMS Turbulent, deployed since June 2 last year, and HMS Splendid, which sailed in the New Year, have conducted a series of very accurate Tomahawk attacks.

“One of the great successes in the taking of the Al Faw peninsula was the naval gunfire support provided by HMS Chatham, HMS Richmond and HMS Marlborough.

"Another significant contribution has been that of RFA Argus in its role as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship - which to you or me is a hospital.

“Indeed, the RFAs generally have given their typically high levels of fuel, food, stores and ammo support aided by the Sea Kings of 820 NAS.

“Additionally RFA Diligence has been a real success with her embarked maintenance teams.

“I have already mentioned the contribution of 845, 847 and 849 Squadrons in support of the amphibious operations, but I would also like to make note of the initial operational deployment of Merlin, where 814 Naval Air Squadron have maintained a 24 hours a day, seven days a week coverage of the whole of the Northern Arabian Gulf.

“And with the Lynx flights, for the first time equipped with night vision goggles, ensured we maintained a very accurate surface picture against the asymmetric threat.

“Additionally the destroyers Liverpool, York and Edinburgh have provided force protection to the heavies and maintained the required Air Defence posture."

Wall-to-wall coverage of the war in British newspapers and on television had, after the initial attacks, concentrated on the land forces’ progress - which has not come as a great surprise to Naval commanders.

“What is true in this campaign, like so many others, is that the key and vital Naval contribution is in the early stages. Don’t get the start right and you have a problem.

“Indeed, we were the first to deploy. We provided the Prime Minister with the first combat units in theatre. We took part in the first days of the campaign, and the whole Amphibious Task Group and others have supported subsequent operations.

“We just have to accept that when the focus militarily and politically moves ashore that some of our warfare support activities get less attention.

“My view overall is that the part the Naval Service, in the widest sense, had to play has received reasonable and accurate coverage, but we have to accept that, for example, some members of the Press were more excited by the dolphins hunting mines than our mine countermeasures vessels.

“The important thing is that all our people know they have done what they were asked to do; they have done it professionally and that they have done it successfully.

“The Naval Service proved itself to be ready, both materially and mentally, for what was asked of them and have conducted all operations to the professional standard and success that we would expect.

“What one must remember in all this is that much of maritime endeavour is being done by men and women in their young twenties - and the way they are responding is a credit to them, their Service and the country.

"We were ready to fight and win, and we did.

“And in this context I would certainly wish to put on record the huge contribution of the DLO in all this.

“Indeed when one talks about support from home the whole of the Naval Service is involved. I would certainly mention the NPFS and Casualty Reporting Centre.

“I could go on - but I think the success of those at home in the support for the Royal visits to Devonport, Portsmouth, Poole and Yeovilton is an indication of how everyone has come together in this instance to give the families the support that they deserve.”

Now that the initial phase of the campaign has been completed, it is time for Naval planners to consider what level of support is required to remain in the Northern Arabian Gulf, and which ships can be spared to return home or to other duties.

“Clearly the force we sent out was the one that we believed met the missions that the Naval Service was given.

“Consequent on the progress of the campaign, and the continuing parts that the Naval Service will make to it, the force levels out there are being reassessed and indeed as I give this interview Turbulent has returned home, the Ark Group is heading back and a revised NTG Group is preparing to head East.

“Other units such as the Brigade, Ocean and some supply RFAs will remain for a while longer.

“And indeed the MCM effort is likely to continue to some time, as I foresee a requirement not only to deal with the mines but also with ordnance that is in the area from previous conflicts.

“Some of the tasks in the Middle East will endure, past this specific campaign - for example, I would expect our contribution to Armilla patrols and the War Against Terrorism to continue for the foreseeable future.”