News story

UK minehunter heads for the Med

Royal Navy minehunter HMS Ledbury sailed from Portsmouth yesterday, 7 May, for a 4-month NATO mission in the Mediterranean.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 8 May 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

HMS Ledbury leaves Portsmouth

She will be working as part of a permanent multinational maritime force in the area known as Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2.

The Group works throughout the year, defending sea routes from the threat of underwater mines and carrying out joint training exercises.

The 42 sailors on board HMS Ledbury returned to the UK 4 months ago, having served on board sister ship HMS Atherstone in the Gulf.

Families and friends wave to loved ones departing Portsmouth on board HMS Ledbury [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Vicki Benwell, Crown copyright]

HMS Ledbury’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Justin Hains, said:

I am delighted to lead my crew on deployment again. Having transited through the Mediterranean en route to the Gulf only last year, my crew is prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

HMS Ledbury is no stranger to the Mediterranean, having been deployed with the NATO Group for 6 months last year. Lieutenant Commander Hains added:

The ships are operating at a high operational tempo but continuous maintenance and improvements to the weapon systems on board are keeping HMS Ledbury and the Royal Navy at the very forefront of mine countermeasures capability worldwide.

Published 8 May 2013