January 2012

Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron On Display – During the Voyage Out East the Type 45 Destroyer DARING was given Force Protection as she left the “Rock” at the end of her first overseas port of call.    The Fast Patrol Boat SCIMITAR, one of two fast patrol boats based at the Rock, sailed at sunrise on a bright winter's morning to conduct a security sweep of the Western Anchorage.    Accompanying SCIMITAR was one the Gibraltar Squadron's Arctic 24 rigid hulled inflatable boats.     Once the pilot had disembarked, the DARING increased speed south for a departure at pace, with SCIMITAR providing a close proximity escort.    When DARING safely reached the limit of British Gibraltar territorial waters, the SCIMITAR launched a force protection exercise by simulating various attacks on the destroyer.