MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Liverpool bids Falkland Islands farewell

HMS <i>Liverpool</i> , RFA <i>Black Rover</i>, HMS <i>Clyde</i>

HMS Liverpool was the centre of a 'Falklands flotilla' capability demonstration last week, shortly before she leaves the Falklands and returns to the Northern hemisphere and eventually back to the UK via South Africa.

VIP guests from the UK, Baroness Warwick and Mr Nigel Evans MP of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, were on board to witness HMS Liverpool undertake exercises with HMS Clyde and RFA Black Roveras the three units put to sea on a glorious and sunny South Atlantic morning. There was a range of displays including an opposed departure from East Cove Port, a boarding demonstration with a team from HMS Liverpool sending a group of sailors over to HMS Clyde, a flying demonstration from HMS Liverpool's Lynx helicopter and replenishment at sea with the assistance of RFA Black Rover. Following lunch, HMS Liverpool bared her teeth and showed her own fighting capabilities with weapons firing from the 4.5 inch gun, the phalanx close in weapons system, the 20 mm cannon, GPMGs and miniguns. The displays cumulated with an air defence exercise with Tornado aircraft running a simulated attack whilst the ships took evasive action to shake off the assault. 1312 Flight's VC-10, recently seen over Stanley, was also in attendance during the exercise. Despite a scandal which broke last week after eighteen of HMS Liverpool'screw tested positive for drugs, Commanding Officer Commander Craig Wood said the ship was leaving the Islands on a high note. Reflecting on the Falklands tour, he said: "The warm reception that we always receive from the locals is quite humbling, especially when we are undertaking our reassurance missions and anchoring off some of the more remote settlements. We have had opportunity to get off the ship, stretch our legs and have a cup of tea, and find out what the local issues are, and the people are always extremely welcoming. "For me it has been hugely satisfying professionally but personally. What a wonderful place this is to come to. Many of the sailors have been able to go ashore if they are not on duty and get out and about. I am very pleased that every time we have sailed to the more remote areas we have managed to get a bunch of sailors ashore to experience the environment." HMS Liverpool is due to be relieved in the South Atlantic patrol task by HMS Iron Duke, a type 23 Frigate which has made many headlines of its own in recent months due to its famous junior officer Sub Lt William Wales. Penguin News