http://www.eucom.mil/english/fullstory.asp?art={0EBF0A3B-8DE5-4390-B94E-0C1205524A74}
International Security Assistance Force Public Affairs February 1, 2010 Royal Navy warship HMS Chatham arrives in Gulf of Aden for NATO Counter-Piracy Operation -Whilst officially designated a frigate, her comprehensive weapons fit gives her, in reality, the firepower of a cruiser. She is capable of engaging targets above, on or below the sea surface. The Ship carries anti-air and anti-missile SeaWolf missiles, anti-ship Harpoon missiles, anti-submarine Stingray torpedoes and a Lynx helicopter; she is also fitted with a variety of guns of up to 4½" (114mm) bore.... GULF OF ADEN: Royal Navy warship HMS Chatham arrived in the Gulf of Aden, Jan. 29 to take part in NATO's Operation Ocean Shield - the code name for NATO's counter piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and into the Somali Basin.... Since leaving the UK at the beginning of January, HMS Chatham's Ship's Company have spent their time carrying out 'mission rehearsal' practicing the tactics and procedures. The full range of the Ship's counter piracy capabilities has been tested, from the Lynx helicopter and fast rigid inflatable boats, though to the embarked Royal Marines boarding team; the sailors and Marines are all now eager to use their training in an operational theatre. HMS Chatham is currently patrolling a section of the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), an agreed shipping lane that passes through the Gulf of Aden, where the NATO Task Group and warships from other nations can oversee merchant shipping.... Captain Chris Beesley, the Officer in Charge of the Royal Marines detachment said "During the transit to our area of operations, we have integrated with the Ship's Company and kept a busy training program. This has included practicing our Close Quarter Battle drills, fast rope insertions and, of course, plenty of physical exercise. All the Royal Marines on board are now eager to begin our operational tasking." .... HMS Chatham, a Type 22 frigate was launched in 1988. Based in Plymouth, she is 150m long, has a crew of 250 and displaces 5,300 tonnes. Whilst officially designated a frigate, her comprehensive weapons fit gives her, in reality, the firepower of a cruiser. She is capable of engaging targets above, on or below the sea surface. The Ship carries anti-air and anti-missile SeaWolf missiles, anti-ship Harpoon missiles, anti-submarine Stingray torpedoes and a Lynx helicopter; she is also fitted with a variety of guns of up to 4½" (114mm) bore, advanced radars, sonars, computer systems and communications equipment to carry out her tasking. .... =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato Blog site: http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/ To subscribe, send an e-mail to: rwroz...@yahoo.com or stopnato-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Daily digest option available. ==============================
