After carrying out her important role in the arrival of the new Governor, HMS Lancaster will remain in the Naval Base until Wednesday before setting off on a seven-month deployment to the Middle East.

The Duke-class frigate’s main role will be supporting international efforts to stop piracy off the coast of Somalia and to remain prepared to battle other illegal activities in the wider region of the Horn of Africa. She will take over operational duties from the Plymouth-based Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland.

Commander Rory Bryan, the Commanding Officer of HMS Lancaster, said:

“Since April this year, HMS Lancaster has undertaken a period of essential maintenance and I have been proud of the manner in which the ship’s company has risen to the challenge of preparing for deployment. We are now looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to international efforts to maintain maritime security in the Near and Middle East.”

HMS Lancaster is familiar with the Middle East, having returned in February from a six-month deployment to the Northern Arabian Gulf where she played a key role in protecting Iraq’s oil platforms.

Between operations and a period of leave the ship, known as the ‘Red Rose’, also underwent a successful period of pre-deployment operational sea training in preparation for her departure.

Also visiting Gibraltar in the next few days will be four Tornado GR4s of 14 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth.

Conducting operational training flights to and from Gibraltar, they will arrive on Friday afternoon and leave on Monday morning but they do not plan to fly on Saturday or Sunday.