While military operations on the ground in Iraq have come under increasing scrutiny with unrest in the country, the key role of a flotilla of Royal Navy ships is all but ignored by the world’s media, writes Lt Lig Hill from Bahrain.

At the hub of the British seaborne activity is the UK Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC), based in Bahrain, who with a team of fewer than 20 has supported up to seven diverse ships in recent weeks.

UKMCC is Commodore Paul Robinson, a submariner, who has been in post since September, and with his UK title comes the additional responsibility of Deputy Coalition Force Maritime Component Commander, putting the UK right at the forefront of coalition operations as the second most influential Coalition power in the Middle East.

“Our mission is to support all Royal Navy maritime operations in the joint operations area whilst on both national and Coalition tasking,” said Cdre Robinson, whose team also has operational control of three RAF Nimrod MR2 aircraft in the area.

The majority of his staff come from the UK Maritime Battle Staff based at Whale Island in Portsmouth, and they work within the US Naval Centre Command HQ in Bahrain, providing round-the-clock support for British warships in a huge area – from the Northern Arabian Gulf to Diego Garcia, as far west as Sudan and all the way east to India.

Ships are engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom, covering operations in Iraqi coastal waters, Operation Enduring Freedom, securing the passage of free trade in the region and the restriction of smugglers and the like, and in the more general national programme which includes exercises and port visits.

The team is made up of an operations team of seven officers supported by two senior rates and eight junior rates, all Royal Navy except for the Nimrod specialist who is from the RAF.

With communications and intelligence playing a central role in the team’s business, many of the members are specialists in these areas, while a liaison officer at Commander level works on the American staff.

The UKMCC, which has attracted a veritable galaxy of VIP visitors including the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, and Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Jonathon Band in recent weeks, also works closely with Task Force 150 (TF150), currently led by RN Commodore Tony Rix.

Cdre Rix, who recently moved his HQ ashore to Bahrain from Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans, is the first Briton to head the force, which currently features ships from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United States and the UK, and will shortly welcome warships from New Zealand and Pakistan.

Cdre Rix, who took up the reins in January, is due to hand over command to the French at the beginning of next month.

UKMCC staff liaise closely with defence attaches in the region and through the liaison officer to help co-ordinate ship activities, helping them maintain operational readiness and maximising the opportunities for recreational activities as their programmes dictate.

The UKMCC has also provided specialist advice and assistance in the development of the Iraqi Riverine Patrol Service and the Iraqi Coastal Defence Force, both RN-led initiatives which are designed to allow the Iraqi people to take control of their own security as quickly as possible.

At one stage in the middle of last month the UKMCC was looking after four ships – Type 23 frigates HMS Grafton and HMS St Albans, survey ship HMS Echo and RFA tanker Bayleaf – a key element in the operation, supporting Coalition vessels involved in operations and exercises.

Type 23 frigate HMS Norfolk had just left the area, as had ocean survey vessel HMS Scott, while Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland was on her way into theatre.

In addition, one of the Navy’s hunter-killer nuclear submarines had also been operating in the region, paying a port visit to Bahrain earlier in the year.

Cdre Robinson said: “Although the efforts of the UK maritime forces in the Middle East do not always get the public recognition that they deserve, the Royal Navy is involved in an important Coalition operation.

“Unlike the operations conducted in the Middle East some time ago, everything we do now is completely integrated into a joint framework in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and in conjunction with our Coalition allies.

“Our ships on task work tirelessly to support Coalition operations and UK national interests in theatre, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of both the restoration of power in Iraq and the protection of free trade.

“Our ships are well equipped with good, effective and reliable equipment, with highly-trained personnel, and we are supported by our colleagues back in the UK.”