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Dec 05 - Navy Flagship Sails Into Gibraltar Tomorrow

The Royal Navy Flagship HMS Bulwark will sail into Gibraltar tomorrow morning on her way back to the UK; this follows a successful deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East as part of the Cougar ’13 deployment.

The four month deployment gave elements of the UK’s Response Force Task Group, the naval force formed under the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the opportunity to hone and validate their world-class maritime skills through exercises with a number of key allies.

HMS Bulwark’s Commanding Officer, Captain Andrew Burns, said: “It will be great to be back in Gibraltar on the final leg of what has been a very successful four month Cougar 13 deployment, as the Flagship for the UK’s Response Force Task Group.  My Ship’s Company is looking forward to a short operational stand down in Gibraltar and we will also benefit from the excellent facilities provided here as one of the UK’s Permanent Joint Operating Bases.  We will then focus on our return to Plymouth in time for Christmas and a homecoming with family and friends”.

In keeping with historical precedent that a new Governor of Gibraltar should arrive on a Royal Navy vessel, HMS Bulwark will also have the honour of transporting the Governor of Gibraltar designate, General Sir James Dutton who will be accompanied by Lady Dutton. They will disembark at HM Naval Base where they will be greeted by military and civilian dignitaries; The Royal Gibraltar Regiment will fire a 17 Gun Salute to mark the occasion.