British warship and Jersey Militia exchange friendly fire

Monday 23 June 2014

HMS Iron Duke fired a 15-gun ceremonial salute off Corbière on Friday evening, watched by the Lieut-Governor, General Sir John McColl, from the lofty heights of the lounge in Radio Tower.

Although re-enactors from the 1782 Jersey Militia were no match for the firepower of the Type 23 frigate, they nonetheless, responded with a five-round cannon salute.

HMS Iron Duke took a detour for the occasion as she passed Jersey at the start of a long journey south from her home base in Portsmouth, for duties in the South Atlantic. Sir John and Lady McColl were joined in Radio Tower by  the Bailiff, Sir Michael Birt, and Lady Birt and Chief Minister, Ian Gorst.

Before the salute, HMS Iron Duke rendezvoused with the catamaran operated by Wetwheels, the local charity which enables people with disabilities to get to sea.

During her six months away, the frigate will protect UK interests and promote the nation’s capabilities abroad. She may be called upon to lend assistance for humanitarian disasters or tackle piracy on the high seas. The deployment is the first for HMS Iron Duke since undergoing a major upgrade. She is the first Royal Navy warship to be fitted with Artisan – a 3D radar which is five times better than the old version it replaces.

The crew of 180 men and women come from across the UK and the Commonwealth, who are trained to deal with displaced populations, evacuees, hostile forces and friendly, visiting dignitaries along with the more common war fighting practice.