Bravery and devotion by experienced minewarfare rating Pete Mills in the Gulf have been recognised by the RN’s senior front-line officer.

Rear Admiral David Snelson, Commander of UK Maritime Forces (COMUKMARFOR) and the commander of forces in the Gulf during Operation Telic, singled out the warrant officer for a commendation when he heard of his actions in the opening days of the campaign.

The senior rating was drafted to the new Shallow Water Influence Minesweeping Unit in the run-up to the conflict and, operating from Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel HMS Brocklesby, was charged with clearing underwater devices from the Khawr Abd Allah waterway leading from the Gulf into the port of Umm Qasr.

Working in a small boat ahead of the main mine countermeasures force, the SWIMS unit was not only vulnerable to enemy mines but also enemy small craft and land-based units.

On March 24 last year, WO Mills was controlling a combat support boat when the sweep tow line parted and the sweeps drifted out of control.

The warrant officer used a spare boat to recover the sweep in the darkness, battling against a six knot tidal stream in waters not yet cleared of mines.

“WO Mills was a key player through the mine countermeasures operations,” said Rear Admiral Snelson.

“His actions displayed courage and dedication, and have made a significant contribution to the successful opening of the Khawr Abd Allah to humanitarian shipping.”

Within days of the mine forces’ actions in the waterway, RFA Sir Galahad arrived in Umm Qasr to deliver the first shipment of humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people.

A year on from Op Telic, WO Mills is back in the UK, working at the MCTA in Portsmouth, testing new equipment for the Fleet, especially sonar.

When not in uniform, Pete can either be found at home with his wife Sharon and their two children, down on his allotment or in military museums and collecting war memorabilia.