HMS Brocklesby (M33) explained

HMS Brocklesby is a of the British Royal Navy, her primary purpose is to find and neutralise sea mines using a combination of; Sonar, Mine Clearance Divers and the Seafox remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The class are the largest warships of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) construction, which gives the vessels a low magnetic signature.[1] In addition to her mine countermeasures activities, Brocklesby acts as an offshore patrol vessel, undertaking coastal patrol and fisheries protection duties.

From 2018 to 2021 Brocklesby was deployed in Bahrain at as part of four minehunters of 9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron[2] supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary on Operation Kipion.

Operational history

Cherbourg incident

In 1993 she became involved in the Cherbourg incident, when Brocklesby challenged the French trawler La Calypso in the Channel Islands waters.[3]

2003 Invasion of Iraq

She gained a battle honour when she was among the first coalition ships into Umm Qasr during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She was part of a group of mine countermeasure vessels that cleared a mined channel into the port, enabling access to it by sea.[4]

2011 Libya operations

In 2011 she took part in surveillance and embargo operations off the coast of Libya alongside, as part of Operation Ellamy, the UK's contribution to Operation Unified Protector.[5] In early May 2011, she took part in a mine-clearing operation to secure the waters of Misrata Port, Libya, after mines were dropped by Muammar Gaddafi's forces to prevent aid from being delivered to the besieged city. Brocklesby used her sonar and SeaFox mine disposal system to locate and destroy a mine that was located from the harbour entrance, making the waters safe for aid ships to enter.[6] [7]

Brocklesbys commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Jim Byron DSC, said:

Brocklesby returned to Portsmouth on 5 July 2011 flying a special version of the Jolly Roger, indicating the successful destruction of a sea-mine.

Exercise Joint Warrior 2013

In October 2013 she participated in Exercise Joint Warrior.[8]

Operation Kipion 2018–2021

During 2018 Brocklesby departed the UK's waters and transited to the Middle East as part of the British commitment to promoting stability in the region. Operation Kipion saw four British minehunters, as well as other warships, spend approximately three years forward deployed. The squadron is capable of operating both independently and as part of a larger multinational force to ensure the safe flow of oil and trade from the Middle East.[9] Brocklesbys move to the Middle East saw her take responsibility from, subsequently allowing Middleton to transit back to the UK.[10] In August 2021, Middleton returned to the Gulf to again relieve Brocklesby which redeployed back to the U.K.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/huntclass Hunt Class Minesweepers/Minehunters at Naval Technology
  2. Web site: RFA Cardigan Bay's winter in the Gulf. www.royalnavy.mod.uk. en. 2020-04-23.
  3. News: French fishermen burn patrol boat's ensign: Minister warns Navy will get tough after two new humiliations in fishing rights dispute . John . Arlidge . 29 March 1993 . . 14 March 2019.
  4. Web site: History of HMS Brocklesby . Royal Navy . 14 March 2019 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091208060623/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/mine-countermeasure/hunt-class/hms-brocklesby/history/ . 8 December 2009.
  5. Web site: Libya: RAF Tornados destroy seven Libyan tanks . 9 April 2011 . BBC News . 14 March 2019.
  6. News: Libyan conflict enters psychological stage . Richard . Norton-Taylor . 4 May 2011 . . 14 March 2019.
  7. Web site: HMS Brocklesby returns from Libya mission . Ministry of Defence . 5 July 2011 . 14 March 2019.
  8. Web site: Scotland Set To Host Exercise Joint Warrior . 2 October 2013 . Royal Navy . 14 March 2019 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215756/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/October/02/131002-joint-warrior . 4 October 2013.
  9. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/red-sea-and-gulf/operation-kipion-mcm Operation Kipion - Mine Counter Measures (MCM)
  10. https://medium.com/voices-of-the-armed-forces/operation-kipion-explained-protecting-shipping-lanes-in-the-gulf-93ad3661902d Protecting shipping lanes in the Gulf
  11. Web site: HMS Middleton & Shoreham Leaving Bahrain After Three Years . Seawaves Magazine . 20 August 2021 . 28 August 2021 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "HMS Brocklesby (M33)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.