Royal Navy Minehunter Joins SOLAS Drill In Persian Gulf

Royal Navy minehunter HMS Middleton has teamed up with sailors and air crew from Kuwait, Iraq, and the United States to test their lifesaving skills.

As per a recent Royal Navy press statement, the minehunter teamed up with multinational Combined Task Force 152 to take part in Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) exercise in the waters of the Northern Gulf.

Also involved were vessels from the Iraqi and Kuwaiti Naval Forces, the Kuwaiti Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard, while the Kuwait Police Flying Wing provided helicopter support.

HMS Middleton oversaw the mock rescue, in a scenario where the sailors and flyers had to team up to locate an aircraft which had been forced to ditch in the water, then co-ordinate the rescue response.

HMS Middleton Navigating Officer Lieutenant Jack Savage said her 50 crew welcomed the “uniquely rewarding experience”.

He commented: “What stood out most was the seamless communication across all units — clear, concise, and effective — which played a key role in the overall success of the exercise. Witnessing the unity and coordination among the different national assets was truly impressive.”

HMS Middleton’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Kyle O’Regan added: “I’m confident that had this been a real incident we would have searched the area quickly and most likely found the aircraft.”

Commodore Mohammad Alarefi, the Kuwaiti in charge of CTF 152, said: “The lessons learned and successes will ensure CTF 152 and the Combined Maritime Forces continue to safeguard lives at sea well into the future.”

• You can read more details on the Royal Navy website