Little bit of news from 2006!
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Royal Navy engages Russian Navy on exercise
HMS Nottingham was specially selected as the first Royal Navy ship to provide training to the Russian Federation Navy.
While on Operations near Sicily in early February, Nottingham met with her former adversary, the missile cruiser Moskva, in the shadow of Mount Etna. Both ships are veterans of the Cold War but in an historic alliance, the Russian Federation Navy is now to work with NATO against the modern threat of terrorism.
HMS Nottingham sails past the Russian cruiser Moskva on completion of joint exercises in the Ionian Sea.
[Picture: POA Phot Gary Davies]
HMS Nottingham is currently attached to NATO's Mediterranean Task Group conducting Operation Active Endeavour - initiated in response to, and the day after, September 11th 2001. NATO ships, aircraft, and shore units keep a vigil over traffic operating in or passing through the Mediterranean in order to prevent and counter terrorism and also other illegal activity such as human trafficking, smuggling of arms and radioactive substances. 98% of UK imports and exports travel by sea, and 30% of world maritime trade passes through the Mediterranean Sea. Operation Active Endeavour has monitored over 75,000 ships and in accordance with maritime law, boarded over 100 since 12th September 2001.
A Spanish Seahawk helicopter from the frigate Navarra hovers over the flight deck of the Russian cruiser Moskva as her Helix helicopter flies past.
[Picture: POA Phot Gary Davies]
At the invitation of NATO, the Russian Federation has agreed to join the Operation. Russian sailors and marines were trained onboard HMS Nottingham whilst key individuals from the Nottingham were assigned to the NATO training team who, in the spirit of 'Glasnost', were embarked with the Moskva.
The Royal Navy demonstrated the techniques necessary to professionally undertake the highly skilled task of boarding merchant ships at sea. Thereafter the Russians put their training into practise by boarding and searching the Spanish frigate Navarra under Nottingham's watchful eye.
Lieutenant Peter Barfoot, the Senior Boarding Officer on Nottingham commented:
"HMS Nottingham is the only ship in the current NATO Mediterranean Task Group with operational experience of this kind. I was very impressed with the Russian response to our training; they were keen and put into action all that we recommended. They have all the basics now to do the job and will develop this important capability with more experience."
The Russians are coming! A boarding team from the cruiser 'Moskva' approach the Spanish frigate Navarra to conduct a boarding exercise.
[Picture: POA Phot Gary Davies]
When interviewed, Captain Both, who is responsible for integrating the Russian Navy into Active Endeavour said:
"This is the meeting of two Navy cultures which itself presents us with interesting challenges, in particular the compatibility of our operating systems and procedures. We are training together to ensure maximum co-operation and effectiveness in the delivery of Operation Active Endeavour."
At the end of a busy and productive week of training, the Russian sailors lined Moskva’s decks, waving their caps and cheering in salute as HMS Nottingham steamed past at full speed. It was a fitting end that marked a new era in East West relations.
