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Lancaster prepares for long deployment in Middle East
A Portsmouth warship will help tackle piracy off Somalia as she heads for a seven-month Middle East deployment.
Sailors' families and an army band will gather at the Round Tower from 10am on Thursday, when HMS Lancaster is due leave the naval base.
The Band of the Adjutant General's Corps, based in Winchester and affiliated to the ship, will perform as she passes into the Solent.
The Duke-class frigate is taking over from HMS Cumberland, and her main role will be to support international work around the Horn of Africa.
Commander Rory Bryan, the commanding officer of HMS Lancaster, said: 'Since April HMS Lancaster has undertaken a period of essential maintenance and I have been proud of the way the ship's company has risen to the challenge of preparing for deployment.
'We are now looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to international efforts to maintain maritime security in the Near and Middle East.'
In February Lancaster returned from a six-month deployment to the Northern Arabian Gulf, where she played a key role in protecting Iraq's oil platforms.
Before Lancaster leaves Rear-Admiral Mark Anderson, commander of maritime operations for the navy, will visit the ship's company to wish them well.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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