HMS Clyde

Simon had the chance to spend a few days on board HMS Clyde, the local Royal Navy Patrol vessel.  Clyde is a modified river class vessel, and the new CO is keen to develop links with the FIDF.  As it was the winter (summer to my UK readers) holidays, Simon was free to visit for 3 days of....well....it turned out to be incredibly stormy weather...we're talking of operations being shut down, RN people throwing their guts up, all in 20+ ft seas...something like this type of image for Day 2, which was fun, but no sea sickness from Simon!

He was treated to several interesting exercise, including Man Over Board, and Quick Draw, which simulates an attack by insurgents against the ship....

The aim was to familiarise FIDF people with life on board should the worst happen....

The first couple of days were very bad, and no movement on deck was allowed.  On the third day, the Quick Draw exercise took place.  This is a simulated attack by insurgents against the ship.  A video can be found here.

Some birds were in the middle of the exercise!

 

Our transport off was care of British International (brintel).  

 First of all we had to drop this section of Paras on a remote island

HMS Clyde from the air...

bybe bye paras!

Snow on the higher ground - it was still winter!

Trev Law had been out doing a recce for an upcoming FIDF exercise

Ferry Terminal

Goose Green

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