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Royal Navy task group standing by in Caribbean by as hurricane season intensifies
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| Published on Monday, August 24, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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HMS ROYAL DUKE -- As the hurricane season intensifies, a Royal Navy Task Group consisting of warship HMS Iron Duke and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort George are on patrol in the Caribbean standing by to render assistance to the UK Overseas Territories if required.
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| HMS Iron Duke. Photo: MoD |
Both ships have been in the region for several weeks, building on the disaster relief training they received in the U.K prior to deploying to the region. Over this period they have visited many of the Overseas Territories, conducting disaster relief exercises and meeting with local authorities to improve their knowledge of emergency arrangements in the territories. At least one visit is planned to each of the territories this season.
Whilst on a similar deployment last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Iron Duke and RFA Wave Ruler tracked the path of the hurricane and were able to land personnel on the Turks and Caicos Islands within 24 hours of the intial damage caused by Hurricane Ike to render assistance.
Both Iron Duke and Fort George carry the Lynx helicopter. As a versatile multi-mission helicopter it can help the Island’s authorities to establish quickly the effects of a hurricance or to land teams and equipment from the Ships ashore.
HMS Iron Duke’s Commanding Officer and overall Commander of the Task Group, Commander Andrew Stacey said: “Our focus is to save life and provide humaitarian asssitance if required. Our mobility allows us to arrive on scene soon after the hurricane has passed and provide initial support until other organisations arrive. We can provide medical care, communications and technical support to get key services back up and running. Our helicopters also provide an immensely useful resource to establish the extent of any damage.” | | | | Reads : 1502 | | | |
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