Portsmouth-based ship makes history
The Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Atherstone has made history by being one of the first ships to visit Iraq since the invasion of 2003.
Along with her Faslane-based counterpart HMS Blyth, Atherstone headed down the Khawr Abd Allah waterway to the deep-water port of Umm Qasr last week.
Watched by ships from the Iraqi, British and American navies, the vessels made the visit to highlight the expansion of the new Iraqi navy.
They passed shipwrecks from the Iran-Iraq and Gulf Wars and returned to areas where they had previously looked for mines. A total of 1,300 mines have now been destroyed in Iraqi coastal waters and the clearing of the shipping lanes into Umm Qasr is vital for the country's economy.
Lieutenant Commander Steve Holloway, Atherstone's commanding officer, said: 'It is a privilege to be one of the first British ships to visit Iraq since 2003. Britain's commitment to the development of Iraq is progressing well and was evident through our stay.'
Located close to the Kuwaiti border, Umm Qasr, Iraq's only deep-water port, receives 80 per cent of the country's imports.
Mentored by the British-led Naval Training Team, the Iraq Navy has been working hard to improve safety and security at the port, on offshore oil infrastructures and in territorial waters.
Blyth and Atherstone's visit represents a milestone, not least because the ships were involved in coalition operations earlier this year to search for mines laid during the two Gulf Wars.
Lt Cdr Holloway added: 'The visit has proved an increase in stability in the region and bodes well for the future of Iraq and its armed forces.'
The Iraqi navy is in the process of quadrupling its fleet by taking on new ships. The offshore oil infrastructure accounts for nearly 80 per cent of Iraq's income.
Lt Cdr John Craig, HMS Blyth's Commanding Officer, said: 'The visit shows the Royal Navy's commitment to working with the Iraq Navy, assisting Iraq's sailors with the defence of their coastline.'
Both ships, with minehunters HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Ramsey, are now in Bahrain.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
