HMS Iron Duke (F234)

HMS "Iron Duke" (F234) is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy, and the third ship to bear the name. "Iron Duke" was launched on 2 March 1991 by Lady Jane King in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Wellington. Her home town is Kingston upon Hull, and she is named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington (the "Iron Duke"). She was the fifth "Duke" class Type 23 frigate to be launched for the Royal Navy at a cost of £140 million.

The motto of HMS "Iron Duke" is "Virtutis Fortuna Comes" (latin: "Fortune is the companion of valour") - inherited from the 33rd (The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment of Foot.

HMS "Iron Duke" carries a vast array of weapons and sensors. Although her primary role is anti-submarine warfare, she can be employed in a variety of roles. She carries a Lynx Helicopter which can also be used for a number of purposes. [ [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1518 History : HMS Iron Duke : Type 23 Frigates : Surface Fleet : Operations and Support : Royal Navy ] ]

Commander Mark Newland is the warship's current commanding officer. In May 2008, the Royal Navy announced that Prince William will serve briefly aboard HMS "Iron Duke".

Deployments

In 2000, "Iron Duke" was part of the Royal Navy task force — comprising "Illustrious", "Ocean", "Argyll", "Chatham", and four RFA ships — that deployed to Sierra Leone during the civil war there. "Iron Duke" relieved HMS "Argyll" from her duties in September. [cite web|url=http://www.paviors.org.uk/affiliations/hmsargyll/summer2000.aspx|title=Summer 2000: Duties In Sierra Leone.|publisher=The Worshipful Company of Paviors |date=2000-11-28] During this incident "Argyll", assisted by HMS "Ocean", laid the foundation for the Iron Duke Community School. This is a school for orphans in Freetown. President Kabbah of Sierra Leone decreed the school be named after the crew of HMS "Iron Duke" for completing the construction of the six classrooms. [cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2001/0102/1001022201.asp|title=Iron Duke completes 33,000-mile voyage.|publisher=Navy news newspaper |date=2001-02-26]

May 2002 saw "Iron Duke" re-enter service after a refit, armed with a brand new 4.5 inch Mod 1 gun. Under the command of Commander Phil Warwick, F234 sailed into Portsmouth for her re-dedication. Amongst those in attendance were the present Duke of Wellington and Earl Jellicoe, both related to figures associated with the ship's name and career. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3609/changeNav/3533|title=HMS IRON DUKE RE-ENTERS SERVICE.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2002-05-22] The following January saw "Iron Duke" deploy to the Caribbean for counter-drugs operations and hurricane season disaster relief standby, as well as visiting UK Overseas Territories for diplomatic purposes. This was the frigate's first operation since completing her refit at the end of 2001 and comprehensive training including multi-national exercises off Scotland. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3681/changeNav/3533|title=FRIGATE SAILS FOR COUNTER-DRUGS OPERATIONS.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2003-01-21]

25 June 2003 saw HMS "Iron Duke" involved in a drugs bust of 3.7 tonnes of cocaine, worth over £250 million, destined for Europe. Acting on intelligence from HM Customs and Excise, the Type 23 frigate swooped on MV "Yalta", landing a party of US Coast Guard sailors. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3726/changeNav/3533|title=IRON DUKE IN £250 MILLION DRUG SWOOP.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2003-06-30]

February 2006 saw Iron Duke conducting trials in Loch Goil and Loch Fyne. In the first loch "Iron Duke" practised buoy-hopping with 4 mooring buoys. In the latter loch she spent two days transiting up and down the loch whilst being monitored from the shore. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.4916/changeNav/3533|title=Scottish Trials for Iron Duke.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-02-28]

September 2006 was a busy month for "Iron Duke". Under Commander Andy Jordan, she was providing a presence for UK overseas territories in the Caribbean and providing the UK contribution to the U.S. war on drugs. St Kitts and Tortola were amongst the places "Iron Duke" stopped at to provide a welcome respite for the crew. In Tortola the crew stopped off at St George's primary school to talk about the ship and themselves. A week later at St Kitts, "Iron Duke" was asked to attend the national parade. Some of the crew participated in the Brimstone Hill Fort run challenge, a run of 1.2 miles up a steep winding track to the gates of Brimstone Fortress, situated 1000 feet above sea level. Despite a valiant attempt by Steward Aden Benfield – fractionally ahead of Lt. Nathan Isaacs – the record of 8.55 minutes, set in 1998 by a team from the crew of HMS Newcastle (D87) remained unbroken. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6972|title=Caribbean Update.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-09-30]

"Iron Duke" returned to the UK in December 2006. During her six-month deployment, the "Iron Duke" steamed over 31000 miles, and made 22 port visits to 18 different locations. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7484|title=Six Ships Return To Portsmouth In Three Days.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-12-11]

2007 saw the "Iron Duke" drydocked for ten months at HMNB Portsmouth. This was an upkeep period with various systems onboard being upgraded including the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) equipment and gaining the ability to operate the Merlin helicopter. In addition to those improvements, the "Iron Duke", by now under the command of Commander Mark Newland, gained the first installation of a NATO Radial Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear (CBRN) filter system. This filter was undergoing trials prior to a potential installation across the fleet. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.9714|title=Refit Period for Iron Duke.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2007-07-06] [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11151|title=New CBRN Fit on HMS Iron Duke.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2007-12-14]

By 26 March 2008, HMS "Iron Duke" was halfway through her Operational Sea Training, in readiness for her deployment to the North Atlantic at the end of May. The training marked the end of an 18-month period of refit and upgrading of the capabilities of "Iron Duke". All aspects of warfare were included in the training, including the infamous 'Thursday War' training exercise. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12093|title=HMS Iron Duke - Progress with Sea training.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-03-26] The Operational Sea Training (OST) also tests the readiness of the medical personnel onboard to deal with the likely casualties from a combat situation. Like all warship doctors, the one onboard Iron Duke can perform a variety of medical activities whilst onboard from regular vaccinations, medicals and the Medical Organisation For Action (MOFA)during combat. MOFA boosts the complement of the medical staff with ten extra first aiders; these first aiders are chefs and stewards during the normal day-to-day activities. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12159|title=Operational Sea Training - The View From The Doctor’s Surgery.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-03-27]

April 18 2008 saw the "Iron Duke" deploy to Avonmouth to train in sea and harbour safety. As part of this exercise, Avon and Somerset Police assisted in training in the co-operation between the Royal Navy and uniformed police in the event of harbour security being breached. There was also an opportunity for civic dignitaries to view the ship and her capabilities. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12460|title=Pressure Is On As Royal Navy Warship Is Put Through Its Paces in Avonmouth.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-16] Later in April, the "Iron Duke"'s Operational Sea Training increased in difficulty with a simulation of tension between Brownian and Ginger forces with negotiations in neutral Freeport (Devonport) and a high risk of terrorist attacks. This exercise tested the defensive capabilities of the ship and the flexibility of proportional response to threats. Later in the series of exercises a hurricane hit the simulated island of Bullpoint, allowing the "Iron Duke" to demonstrate her disaster relief capabilities including: first aid, providing food and shelter to the survivors and helping to rebuild basic amenities. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12514|title=Operational Sea Training – Disaster in the Caribbean!|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-22]

The "Iron Duke" visited Kingston upon Hull over the weekend of 26-29 April 2008. This was an opportunity for the ship to refresh her ties with the city and for the public to see 'their' ship with 1500 people visiting the ship during the six hours that she was open. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12522|title=Hull Welcomes Its Very Own Duke.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-23] [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12590|title=Iron Duke Rounds off Successful Visit to Hull.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-29]

By Friday 13 June, "Iron Duke" had arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. The ship had undergone two Operational Stand-Offs in order to determine the ship is ready to deploy operationally. The visit to Lisbon allowed "Iron Duke" to be briefed by MAOC -N, a pan European counter narcotics agency, about criminal intelligence on such matters as cannabis and coccaine smuggling on the high seas. Also at Lisbon the crew engaged in football and rugby, then moving on to Gibraltar for re-supply and the infamous Rock Run. HMS Kent was also in port at the same time. "Iron Duke" was now on Maritime Security Patrol in the North Atlantic. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.13037/changeNav/6568|title=Operational Stand Offs Prepare Iron Duke for Imminent Operations.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-06-13]

As of August 31 the Iron Duke was dispatched to assist relief efforts for the Atlantic Hurricane Gustav. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7589536.stm|title=Navy ships help after hurricane.|publisher=BBC News |date=2008-08-31]

Notable billeting

On 31 May 2008, the Ministry of Defence announced that Prince William will be transferred from the other services which he has spent time with to the Royal Navy with the rank of Sub Lieutenant. He will be referred to like his brother in the army, by the name Wales. During his assigned time, the ship is scheduled to spend the summer months in the Caribbean. [cite news
last = Stone
first = Mark
coauthors =
title = Prince To Tackle Smugglers In Caribbean
work = Sky News
pages =
publisher = BSkyB
date = 2008-05-31
url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1317716,00.html
accessdate = 2008-06-01] On 28 June 2008, the ship made a major drugs bust aided by embarked United States Coast Guard personnel by intercepting a speedboat (which later sank) containing 900 kilograms of cocaine. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7485365.stm|title=William's ship seizes drugs haul.|publisher=BBC News |date=2008-07-02]

Affiliations

*His Grace, The Duke of Wellington
*The Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot)
*No. 31 Squadron RAF
*Yorkshire University Royal Naval Unit (YURNU)
*City of Kingston upon Hull
*Worshipful Company of Founders
*The Training Ship "Iron Duke"
*Wellington College

External links

* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1516 Royal Navy website for HMS Iron Duke]

References