HMS Kent (F78)

HMS "Kent" is a Type 23 "Duke" class frigate of the British Royal Navy, and the twelfth ship to bear the name.

HMS "Kent"'s lineage boasts sixteen Battle Honours from the three given to the first "Kent" of 46 guns built in 1653, to the five awarded to the ninth and tenth "Kent"s of World War I and World War II. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3583/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent - The Millennium Frigate.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2004-11-30]

Sponsored by HRH Princess Alexandra, HMS "Kent" was launched on 28 May 1998.

Built by BAE Systems Marine (formerly Marconi Marine) at Scotstoun in Scotland, she was commissioned on June 8, 2000 and was the first ship to enter Royal Navy service in the 21st Century. [ [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1523 History : HMS Kent : Type 23 Frigates : Surface Fleet : Operations and Support : Royal Navy ] ] She is currently based in Portsmouth under the command of Commander Hopper.

Deployments

March 2002 saw HMS "Kent" return from the Gulf after a five-month record-breaking mission under Commander John Clink. "Kent" seized more than £4m of oil and illegal cargo: a record for the time. This mission also included the boarding of MV "Ismael", a vessel which strayed in and out of Iranian waters to avoid capture - waters which the "Kent" knew they were forbidden to enter. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3583/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent Returns from Gulf Mission.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2002-03-05]

January 16, 2006 saw HMS "Kent" deploy on a 28-day training mission, under Commander Gavin Pritchard, to gunnery drills and firing off Gibraltar. This course was for the benefit of students on the Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) course. All officers aspiring to have a command during their career must serve time as a PWO; failure to pass the course results in a limited prospect for promotion and no chance of command. This deployment included a two day visit Tunisia and a three-day visit to Barcelona. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.4436/changeNav/3533|title=Mediterranean Deployment For HMS Kent.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-01-13]

March 2006 saw Football Association Chief Executive Brian Barwick visit HMS "Kent" to show him around a modern Type 23 frigate. Mr Barwick was a guest at the RN vs. RAF football match at Havant, the tour around "Kent" was a pre-match treat for the FA chief. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.5077/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent Gives FA Chief Taste Of Navy Life.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-03-17]

June 12, 2006 and HMS "Kent" started a six-month deployment to Gibraltar, Malta and the Suez canal. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.5943/changeNav/3533|title=Kent Sails for Deployment.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-06-26] Saturday June 16 saw the traditional Gibraltar Rock race, this time Leading Chef Paddy Crawford won the race in a time of 24 minutes. Games of 'Bucket ball' and tug-of-war were additional sports the crew engaged in. HMS "Kent" then sailed to the Suez canal, where the crew took part in the traditional race-against-the-ship with rowing machines, taking turns to see if the crew could 'beat' the ship to the end of the canal. Eighty-one crewmembers rowed 2 kilometres to make the attempt, winning the ship in a combined time of 162 Km in 10 Hrs 34 mins. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6037/changeNav/3533|title=Kent Works Out.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-07-03]

During a visit to Soudha Bay, Crete, the ruby anniversary of the meeting of John and Susan Hardwick aboard the previous HMS Kent was celebrated in style aboard the latest ship to bear the name. Mr Hardwicke was a LSA(V) aboard the County class predecessor to F78 when the then Miss Sittingbourne boarded. Ironically, the Logistics Officer on the ship at that time was Lt Cdr Mark Hardwick, son of the celebrating couple. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6080/changeNav/3533|title=Memories of ‘Old Kent Road’.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-06-26]

August 10, 2006 saw crew from HMS "Kent" visit the Abeer2 school, in Kuwait City. The school provides education, care and therapy for children with Autism. In true Royal Navy style, 'Jack' set to work with paint and hammers to decorate the school and mend a roof in 45 degree Celsius heat. Needless to say the crest of the ship was amonst the items painted on the wall. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6438/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent Visit to Abeer2 Club for Autistic Children.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-08-10]

HMS "Kent" was in the Northern Arabian Gulf working 22-day patrols safeguarding the oil platforms and checking shipping in the area as per United Nations Security Council Regulations. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6516/changeNav/3533|title=Kent in the Northern Arabian Gulf.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-08-29] "Kent" later conducted a self-maintenance period at Port Rashid, Dubai. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6756/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-09-18] After 60 days of patrols, 47 security sweeps of vessels approaching the oil platforms and 515 queries of merchant vessels, HMS "Kent" left the Northern Arabian Gulf and set sail home. A four day visit to Muscat in Oman followed, which included training with the Omani Navy. A hockey game resulted in a pleasing 7-0 victory. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6956/changeNav/3533|title=Kent Says Goodbye to the Northern Arabian Gulf.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-10-16]

In Mumbai, India, HRH Prince Andrew visited HMS "Kent". [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7132/changeNav/3533|title=Visit of HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York to HMS Kent.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-10-31]

15:00 hours, November 5, 2006 saw HMS Kent hand over her duties to HMS Sutherland in Salalah, Oman. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7145/changeNav/3533|title=Kent Prepares to Hand Over Gulf Duties.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-11-06] [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7176/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-11-08] Later on her way home, HMS "Kent" made a goodwill visit to Beirut on Friday November 17. The ship featured on national news and the crew visited some of the local sites. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7271/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent visits Beirut.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-11-20]

After Beirut, HMS "Kent" visited Souda Bay and then the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. Algiers was the next stop, showcasing training to the Algerian Navy. A television conference and the chance to experience traditional Algerian food in the traditional style followed. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7480/changeNav/3533|title=Kent Visits Algiers On Her Way Home.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2006-12-08]

February 2007 saw HMS Kent awarded the Thales fleet active ASW award 2005/2006. Due to the busy period of deployments, the award ceremony had to be delayed until 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7955/changeNav/3533|title=HMS Kent Double Winners in ASW.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2007-22-06]

December 2007 saw HMS "Kent" preparing for the customary Operational Sea Training period, training with aircraft and sea boat operations. With quieter evenings, quiz nights and sports television were the order of the day, along with 'Secret Santa' delivering inappropriate gifts for selected crew. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11137|title=Life on the Old Kent Road.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2007-12-13]

January 2008 saw preparations for OST continuing afoot ready for the initial materials and safety audit. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11346|title=Operational Sea Training Preparations.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-01-28]

February 2008 saw the crew undertaking an ambitious changing of two of the four Paxman Valenta diesel engines. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11557|title=Double Diesel Change.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-02-18]

March 2008 saw an invitation from the Second Sea Lord to a Ladies Night aboard HMS Victory. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11707|title=Victory!|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-03-04] Operational Sea Training sees the customary missions around the fictional port of Freeport, played by HMNB Devonport. This exercise, named "Directed Shakedown", involves political tensions and seeing how the crew responds to escalation in a proportional, measured manner. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12224|title=Directed Shakedown Underway.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-03-31]

Later in the OST exercises in April, the crew of HMS "Kent" deal with a simulated earthquake aftermath in the fictional island of Bull Point. The 'Away Team' had to respond to the needs of the survivors in the same manner as they would in a real situation - dealing with injuries, restoring water and food suppplies and providing safe shelter. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12508|title=‘Team Kent’ Tackles Make-Believe Mayhem.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-21]

May 2008 saw HMS "Kent" off the Channel Islands providing a demonstration of the Royal navy to the local islanders. This was also the first Jersey Boat Show with HMS "Kent" the largest vessel on show. The following Thursday saw the culmination of the Operational Sea Training. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12631|title=Summer-Shine Jersey Welcomes Kent.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-05-06]

Saturday May 31, 2008 saw HMS "Kent" get underway from 'The Wall' at Portsmouth for a six-month deployment to South Asia and the Far East. This voyage will include visits to countries such as Russia, China, Japan and Indonesia, as well as participation in various multi-national exercises. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12904|title=HMS Kent Heads East.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-05-29] [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12928|title=Deployment Day For Kent.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-06-02]

A stop-off at Gibraltar saw the crews of HMS "Kent" and HMS Iron Duke race up the Rock in the traditional Rock Race, which is convert|3|mi|km long and ascends convert|1300|ft|m. Midshipman Cator was the winner with a time of under 24 minutes. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12989|title=Gibraltar Rock Race.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-06-09]

Gallery

Affiliations

*Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry
*No. 6 Squadron RAF
*The Cinque Ports
*The Royal Tank Regiment

References

External links

* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/1572.html Royal Navy] website of HMS "Kent" (F78)