Two more ships have returned from operations in Iraq – and the pair of minehunters have been away longer than most of the Coalition ships involved in the Gulf.

Sandown-class ships Bangor and Sandown, which worked with HM ships Brocklesby and Blyth to clear the coast and waterways of Southern Iraq of mines and other explosives, clocked up a ten-month deployment – the longest of any ships of the Royal Navy task group, and the longest undertaken by the Sandown class.

Brocklesby and Blyth returned to their Faslane base last month.

Bangor was one of the first ships to clear the route into the port of Umm Qasr, allowing the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Sir Galahad to safely deliver a cargo of humanitarian aid into Southern Iraq.

Bangor and Sandown were the only Coalition minehunters to travel further north than Umm Qasr, clearing the narrow Az Zubayr waterway.

Lt Cdr Jerry Woods, the Commanding Officer of HMS Bangor, said: “It is absolutely wonderful to finally be back home.

“We have achieved a great deal over the past ten months, and my ship and her people have performed magnificently. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished.”

Sandown’s role was highlighted when she led RFA Sir Galahad into Um Qasr after the minehunters had cleared a safe path.

Her Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Gavin Young said: “It is fantastic to be home. The ship and her crew can be justly proud of their achievements over the past ten months.

“There is a real sense of achievement in clearing the way for humanitarian aid.

“It is clear to me that the crew has achieved the high professional standards expected of the Royal Navy.”

During the conflict the Navy’s minehunters – acknowledged to be among the most sophisticated in the world – ensured that areas were clear before landing craft carrying Royal Marines Commandos and US Marines were went in to mount an assault on the Iraqi beaches.With landing ship RFA Sir Bedivere in support, the ships were also tasked to keep ports and shipping lanes open and safe for military supplies.

Bangor and Sandown complement of 74, called in at Rhodes, Malta and Palma during their six-week journey home.

They originally left Portsmouth in early September last year for what was planned to be a four-month deployment to the Mediterranean for the NATO exercise Argonaut 02.

But as the crisis developed in Iraq, the minehunters were ordered to complete extensive route survey operations in preparation for the deployment of the Navy’s Amphibious Task Group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

During their time on task the 484-ton ships experienced a variety of weather conditions, from flat-calm seas to rough water and sandstorms driven by 60 mph winds.

Both ships maintained close links with their affiliated towns – Sandown in the Isle of Wight and Bangor in Northern Ireland.

Lt Cdr Woods said: “I have been delighted at the strength of support we have received from our friends and families and our affiliations.

“Each letter or email goes a long way to helping us achieve our task at hand and gives a little boost when things become difficult.”

He singled out Clifton School, Bangor, for special praise for sending dozens of letters, cards and pictures.

The ship is so proud of her affiliation that the ship’s company painted part of the Bangor town crest on one side of the bridge roof.

And Lt Cdr Young, of HMS Sandown, said: “I am impressed by the level of support we received from our affiliations.

”I have read many letters from all our affiliations and local people wishing us safe return – it’s fantastic. When you are deployed it’s a great comfort to know people are supporting you.”

Sandown-class ships are single-role minehunters – that is, they use sophisticated precision sonar to spot suspicious objects beneath the surface of the water, then us either a remote-controlled submersible or divers to take a closer look and, if necessary, destroy the ordnance using a small explosive charge.

The ships’ hulls are built of glass-reinforced plastic, and much of the construction is designed to reduce the ‘signature’ of the ship – the magnetic or acoustic emissions which can trigger a mine.

The ships are highly-manoeuvrable, with the ability to turn on the spot, and can operate in shallow or deep water.