HMS Duncan joined five nations for Exercise Argonaut, an annual Cypriot exercise focusing on search and rescue and humanitarian aid.
The coalition of ships and their air units were sent around 30 miles offshore to offer help where possible, say the Royal Navy in a release.
“202 Flight from the Royal Navy ship flew to the scene and winched dummy ‘casualties’ from the decks of US ship USNS Yuma and Cypriot offshore patrol vessel Ioannides – which had picked them up from the water – and took them back to Duncan for treatment.”
A range of Cyprus officials as well as customs control from different countries were involved to practise the difficult processing routine.
The second phase of the exercise also saw casualties from a stricken ship rescued by the Cypriot navy, with medical teams ready to help once it was alongside in the port, say the Royal Navy.
Air Warfare Officer Lieutenant Commander Michael Hutchinson said in the aforementioned release:
“Exercise Argonaut is one of the biggest exercises of the year for the Cypriots and it was great that HMS Duncan was able to offer support. Humanitarian aid is an important function for the ship and shows we can be relied upon to act when needed. The exercise covered many scenarios and ensured we are ready should a situation arise in the future.”
For a class of ships that spend their whole lives tied up (well if the media would be believed) due to either mechanical issues or staffing problems these ships do seem to get everywhere.
Spot on. I am constantly amazed just how well the RN manage to deploy it’s limited assets, to best effect, both for routine training and operations. See how busy they have been over the last 12 months alone. Bloody well done.
Exactly. The deployed Royal Navy seems to have a bit on an omnipresence about it. Excellent value for money – we should invest more, particularly with a humanitarian focus. The overseas aid budget could in part be better spent on this type of activity a more ‘hull/helo’ rich RN.