MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Destroyer HMS Manchester in Falklands forces exercise

HMS Manchester in the Falkland's waters

BRITISH Destroyer HMS Manchester, fighter jets and troops has been involved in an important exercise around the Falklands.

A spokesperson for the British Forces in the Falkland Islands said, “Exercise Cape Bayonet was a tri-service exercise involving over 120 troops from the Mercian Regiment and the assets of 905 Expeditionary Air Wing (including a number of Tornado F3s).

During the Exercise, HMS Manchester was used to provide Naval Gunfire Support to the troops of the Mercian Regiment from her 4.5” Medium Range Gun. Approximately100 High Explosive 4.5” shells were fired onto 3 ‘enemy’s targets including simulated mortar and machine gun positions. From over 10 miles away the rounds were accurately guided onto the targets using information from ‘spotters’ of the Army’s 148 Battery, Royal Artillery. HMS Manchester provided gunfire support for over three hours delivering a level of firepower to the troops on the ground equivalent to that of an entire Royal Artillery Battery. This allowed the Mercian Regiment to take the enemy positions with minimal resistance.

Whilst providing Gunfire Support, HMS Manchester’s Fighter Controllers directed the RAF’s Tornado F3 jets to provide Emergency Close Air Support to the troops on the ground, and provided air defence against possible incursions by enemy aircraft.

The spokesperson said, “Cape Bayonet allowed Manchester to demonstrate her ability to integrate seamlessly into a joint environment and to project maritime force to the shore.

“Cape Bayonet also represented a critical step for the soldiers of the Mercian Regiment as they prepare for an operational tour in Afghanistan later this year.”

HMS Manchester is a Type 42 Batch 3 Air Defence Destroyer with a length of 141 meters and a displacement of 5200 tonnes. Recently returned from an operational deployment to the Arabian Gulf, she has just finished a rigorous training programme off the coast of Cornwall in preparation for her deployment to the South Atlantic. Her primary role is air defence and as such she is fitted with the Sea Dart missile system, other assets include her Lynx Mk 3 Helicopter, 4.5 inch Medium Range Gun, Phalanx close-in weapon system and 20mm guns. The ship was launched in 1980 and has a crew of 250.

By Lisa Johnson - SeAledPR - Stanley