Doing What Comes Naturally – the Type 23 Frigate MONMOUTH on duty “East of Suez” has been doing what comes naturally to any frigate leading the British input to a five day exercise demonstrating how the region’s naval forces can safeguard merchant shipping.     The MONMOUTH was charged with protecting two supertankers from mock terrorist attack during Exercise Lucky Mariner 13, working alongside US warships and air power.     Over five days, the MONMOUTH joined forces with the Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL supported by American air forces for Lucky Mariner – an annual exercise involving the military and merchant shipping to show how the two can work together to ensure safe passage on the high seas.   The MONMOUTH recently relieved the Type 45 Destroyer DIAMOND “East of Suez”.

The “Black Duke” (MONMOUTH) was given the task of providing close in protection to two large tankers alongside several US Navy and Coast Guard patrol ships, a USNS Supply Vessel in addition to the WINSTON S. CHURCHILL which always by tradition has a Royal Navy navigator aboard.   The embarked LYNX on the MONMOUTH was used to deliver the Black Duke’s Royal Marines Boarding Team by rapid roping on to one of the tankers while the Frigate’s sea boats delivered the rest of the boarders.