British, US Warships On R&R In Phuket

[george]

British, US warships on R&R in Phuket

CAPE PANWA, PHUKET: One of the largest and most revered ships in the British Royal Navy, the HMS Bulwark, docked at Phuket Deep Sea Port yesterday morning flanked by the USS Mitscher, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer.

The 22,000-tonne HMS Bulwark – made famous for transporting 1,300 British escapees from Israeli air-strikes in Beirut in 2006 – has been operating in Southeast Asia for the past six weeks.

The stopover gave the ship’s crew of 540 men and women a chance to disembark for some well-earned R&R on the island until they ship out June 22.

The ship is spearheading the TAURUS 09 task force that includes 11 ships and one nuclear submarine that sailed from Davenport, UK in February.

Since then, HMS Bulwark has negotiated the hostile waters of the coast off Somalia, providing protection for civilian vessels as well as executing training operations in the jungles of Brunei with the 40 Commando Royal Marines on board.

Stored below deck in the ship’s well dock is an assortment of amphibious military hardware used to transport an Embarked Military Force (EMF). However, one of the most impressive on-board defense systems is the “Dutch Maid Goalkeeper” Close In Weapon System (CIWS).

The auto cannon is equipped with a radar to automatically select and prioritize the most threatening targets, such as incoming missiles, and fires 3,000 20mm rounds a minute to destroy them.

Speaking from the bridge, Captain Wayne Keble said the TAURUS 09 task force relies on co-operation between partners and allies from NATO countries. The task force also remains on alert for anti-piracy, humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

Capt Keble added that security forces from Bangladesh, Brunei, India, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the US had been involved in training operations with HMS Bulwark prior to her arrival in Phuket.

Accustomed to life at sea, Captian Keble said that he was personally looking forward to some sailing on his down time here in Phuket.

Crew members intended to play cricket, rugby and even try bungee jumping while in Phuket, he added.

Captain Keble and TAURUS 09 Commodore Paul Bennett had a busy first day on Phuket with visits to the Governor’s office, a meeting with Royal Thai Navy chiefs and then a cocktail party for local dignitaries and Phuket’s elite on the main deck of HMS Bulwark that night.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-06-18

[GraBangkok]

Wonder where they will be going next?

Maybe a cocktail party for local dignitaries and NKs elite on the main deck of HMS Bulwark

[nonthaburial]

Some useless information. This Bulwark is the seventh warship to carry the name, like this one the previous Bulwark made a name for herself by evacuating foreign tourists from the North Cypriot coastal town of Kyrenia when the turks invaded. A pick up on a typo, Bulwark is Plymouth based and the Port is named Devonport.

And one final piece of useless information, the Captain Wayne Keble has shot himself in the foot by refusing the ship to take on Brussel Sprouts as he hates them and calls them the "devils Vegetable". This has caused a rather strong backlash in the British Press.

Told you useless information

[NBT TV Phuket]

VDO Interview Commodore & Captain HMS Bulwark in Phuket

VDO on National News Bureau Public Relations Department

or

Our interview with Commodore Paul Bennett, Commander of UK Amphibious Task Group, and Captain Wayne Keble of HMS Bulwark, a British Navy ship now docked at Phuket’s Deep Sea Port 17-22 June with 540 sailors & Royal Marines on a R&R visit here. She is one of the biggest warships in the British Navy, here as part of UK’s largest deployment to the region in over a decade. The Commodore first introduces himself and the group of ships: ……. Royal Navy

Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30pm, 7pm 1.30am & 6.30am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Thursday 18 June 2009 & NNT : National News Bureau of Thailand

& YouTube - AndamanNews's Channel

[JetsetBkk]

Wonder where they will be going next?...

I'm sure the buses from Bangkok will be busy for the next few days.

[Daffy D]

And one final piece of useless information, the Captain Wayne Keble has shot himself in the foot by refusing the ship to take on Brussel Sprouts as he hates them and calls them the "devils Vegetable". This has caused a rather strong backlash in the British Press.

And there's me with a craving for BB's - haven't had any for over ten years

:-(

[GraBangkok]

Well I would say how convenient they have 150 Marines on board.

I am sure when they have done stocking up with supplies after the short break in Phuket the fleet will be heading towards NK. You can follow the fleet on the Royal Navy website

4th of July is looking good for the loony to launch his long range missile Hawaii way

The Thai Navy were to busy to take part in this exercise?