Since taking over from HMS Cardiff, HMS Richmond has been kept busy adapting to her new role as the Armilla Patrol warship in the present, uncertain times.

Since leaving Bahrain, HMS Richmond has been at sea in the Northern Arabian Gulf or “NAG.” Whilst in the “NAG” HMS Richmond has begun maritime interdiction operations or MIOPS having embarked her Royal Marine unit from HMS Cardiff.

The Royal Marine contingent is from the Fleet Protection Group based at HMS Neptune in Scotland. Lieutenant Johnston who has served with the Royal Marines for 2 years commands the unit.

His team, supported by HMS Richmond’s coxswain LS Simmons, have been training hard to perform their MIOPS role and latterly, have been involved in some operational boarding.

Once again our flight have been very active since arriving in the operational theatre. They have been involved in the aerial aspect of MIOPS as their presence acts as a deterrent to embargo breaking dhows, typically these small sea going vessels return to Iraq once they realise they have been discovered by an aircraft.

All of this operational activity has meant that HMS Richmond’s Operation Officer, Lieutenant Commander Borbone, has been busier than normal co-ordinating the increased activity from the operation’s room with the command structure. So far this process has been flawless which bodes well for the future.

Notwithstanding the increased operational workload, onboard training has not been over-looked with fire-fighting and damage control exercises continuing apace. The ship’s news-photographer, LMA Evans was able to incorporate a “Red Nose Day” theme into his photograph of CHOP(S) Black who was, at the time, over-seeing an NBCD training serial.

Nevertheless it has not been “plain sailing” as weather conditions in the NAG can vary. Recently HMS Richmond experienced her first sandstorm of the deployment. These sandstorms, known in Kuwait as “ghubar” which means dust, occur in springtime and reduce visibility considerably making for difficult working conditions for those on the upper deck. In addition they cause quite a mess which has to be cleaned off.

Operating in the Arabian Gulf is not a lonely experience and HMS Richmond has encountered a number of other ships from the UK, USA and Australia. At present HMS Richmond is operating in company with a United States Coast Guard Cutter the USCGC Wrangell. This small vessel offers high manoeuvrability that is beneficial in the MIOPS role.