Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of calling into a few naval locations in Scotland, to find everyone in very good heart. One highlight was 45 Commando at RM Condor in Arbroath, who are enjoying a year of relative ‘respite’ (ie training like mad, in all weathers) between Afghanistan tours. I couldn’t help but be impressed with what I saw, especially the efforts of the staff and patients of Harden Troop rehab facility which is 45 Cdo’s own rehab centre for their injured RMs – please keep up the good work.My team and I joined in with Whisky Company for some skiing practice on the dry slope: looks like my Flag Lt and the Command Warrant Officer might need some remedial training, perhaps…
- Oh well…
I also looked in on HMS CALEDONIA in Rosyth, with its 26 lodger units and still doing a grand job in accommodating the crews of refitting ships -although I’ll agree that the 1960’s SLA blocks need some sprucing up. It was fascinating also to see No 1 dock taking shape in Rosyth dockyard, where the Queen Elizabeth class carriers will be assembled – it is vast and impressive – as indeed the carriers themselves will be.
On to RMR Scotland in Glasgow, and HMS DALRIADA (RNR) in Greenock, where I met some very dedicated individuals who are working hard – and proudly – to support our Regular sailors and Marines at sea and on the ground in the Middle East and Afghanistan. It was interesting to see how many campaign medals are on show these days amongst Reservists – it’s serious stuff, and we simply could not operate as we are just now without them. It was good to see families and employers represented at the parade night in DALRIADA: dimensions of a Reservist’s life that we Regulars don’t encounter in quite the same way.
I then enjoyed a flying (literally) visit to the Gannet SAR Flight at Prestwick, who had just beaten their own record (yet again) for the most rescue missions flown throughout the UK in a year. They do great work, ably assisted by a devoted civilian team, and they also represent the Navy in a brilliant light in the region. While I was airborne with them en route to Faslane, our aircraft received the Flight’s 401st rescue call-out of the year. Business as usual, then…
Finally, we arrived in Faslane for quick tour of the exciting new ‘Supermess,’ which will soon be home to all officers and ratings in the Clyde Naval Base, with shops, coffee bars, and bowling alley due to open in Feb 10. This will ba a major step towards preparing the Base to become the submarine Centre of Excellence around 2015 – and it is very good news. I also took the chance to meet a cross section of MCM crews, both in the Mess and in HMS BANGOR. The crews are all doing very fine work in supporting the TELIC MCM roulement in the Gulf, but I also got to appreciate some of the stresses and strains that this is inevitably imposing on them and their families. We will work at easing the pressure where we can.
May I wish you all a safe, restful and very happy Christmas, and a successful and prosperous New Year. Talk again soon.
