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HMS Kent (F78)

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For other ships with the same name, see HMS Kent.

Off Djibouti in 2015, with new "Kryten" gun after refit
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Kent (F78)
NamesakeDuke of Kent
OperatorRoyal Navy
OrderedFebruary 1996
BuilderYarrow Shipbuilders
Laid down16 April 1997
Launched27 May 1998
Sponsored byPrincess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy
Commissioned8 June 2000
RefitLIFEX 2016–2018
HomeportDevonport[1]
Identification
MottoInvicta (Unconquered)
StatusIn active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeType 23 frigate
Displacement4,900 t (4,800 long tons; 5,400 short tons)[2]
Length133 m (436 ft 4 in)
Beam16.1 m (52 ft 10 in)
Draught7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
PropulsionCODLAG:
SpeedIn excess of 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range7,500 nautical miles (14,000 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement185 (accommodation for up to 205)
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried
  • 1 × Wildcat HMA2, armed with:
  • 2 × anti-submarine torpedoes (Martlet ASM to be fitted in 2021/22 and full operating capability for Sea Venom ASM projected from 2026)[5]
  • or
  • 1 × Westland Merlin HM2, armed with;
  • 4 × anti-submarine torpedoes
Aviation facilities
Still with pre-refit main gun in 2010
Escorting French carrier de Gaulle off Djibouti in 2015
On exercise during BALTOPS 20

HMS Kent is a Type 23 Duke class frigate of the Royal Navy, and the twelfth ship to bear the name, although formally she is named after the dukedom rather than the county. Sponsored by Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy (daughter of the late Prince George, Duke of Kent), Kent was launched on 28 May 1998 and commissioned on 8 June 2000 under the command of then Commander John Clink. She was the first ship to enter Royal Navy service in the 21st century and the first Royal Navy warship with a female Executive Officer, Lt Cdr Vanessa Jane Spiller, appointed in April 2001.[6][7][8]

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 Kents of World War I and World War II.[6]

Service history

2001–2010

March 2002 saw Kent return from the Persian Gulf after a five-month mission. Kent seized more than £4 million 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 Kent was forbidden to enter.[9]

Kent was damaged following a collision with HMS Argyll during a line transfer demonstration off Portsmouth in June 2004.[10]

On 12 June 2006 Kent started a six-month deployment to Gibraltar, Malta and the Suez canal.[11]

Kent was in the Northern Persian Gulf working 22-day patrols safeguarding the oil platforms and checking shipping in the area as per United Nations Security Council Regulations.[12] Kent later conducted a self-maintenance period at Port Rashid, Dubai.[13] After 60 days of patrols, 47 security sweeps of vessels approaching the oil platforms and 515 queries of merchant vessels, Kent left the Northern Persian Gulf and set sail home. A four-day visit to Muscat in Oman followed, which included training with the Omani Navy.[14]

In Mumbai, Prince Andrew visited Kent.[15]

15:00 hours, 5 November 2006 saw Kent hand over her duties to Sutherland in Salalah, Oman.[16][17] Later on her way home, Kent made a goodwill visit to Beirut on Friday 17 November. The ship featured on national news and the crew visited some of the local sites.[18]

After Beirut, Kent visited Souda Bay and then the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. Algiers was the next stop, showcasing training to the Algerian Navy.[19]

In February 2007 the ship was 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.[20]

December 2007 saw Kent preparing for the customary Operational Sea Training period, training with aircraft and sea boat operations.[21]

January 2008 saw preparations for OST continuing afoot ready for the initial materials and safety audit.[22]

Kent was in refit for replacement of two of the four Paxman Valenta diesel engines.[23]

May 2008 saw 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 Kent the largest vessel on show. The following Thursday saw the culmination of Operational Sea Training.[24]

Kent would get underway from 'The Wall' at Portsmouth for a six-month deployment to South Asia and the Far East. This voyage included visits to countries such as Russia, China, Japan and Indonesia, as well as participation in various multi-national exercises.[25][26]

HMS Exeter veterans disembarking HMS Kent, Tandjong Priok 28 July 2008. From left; Rob Rae, George Gaskell, (diver Kevin Denlay), Bill Francis, Joe Asher.

27 July 2008, saw Kent hosting a solemn memorial service over the historic shipwreck of HMS Exeter in the Java Sea.[27] Kent left the Indonesian port of Surabaya (just as Exeter had on the evening of 28 February 1942, on her last fateful voyage[28]), performed the ceremony and then continued on to Jakarta. Aboard were a BBC film crew and four of HMS Exeter's veteran survivors (photo below), one of the divers involved in the discovery of the wreck,[29] (who, representing the other three discovery team members, and as part of the memorial service, handed over to the four survivors the Royal Navy Ensign they had 'flown' on the wreck during their discovery dives in February 2007), along with several British dignitaries and high ranking naval officers.[30]

In June 2010, Kent was sent on a mission to Sweden. The celebration of the official Queen's Birthday Party was held on board the British warship in Gothenburg harbour, the first time that the event has been held outside Stockholm. After a stop at Hanö island where tribute was paid to the fifteen British sailors who rest there, Kent then continued to Stockholm to join the celebrations for the Wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Daniel Westling.[citation needed]

In December 2010, Kent was withdrawn from the deployable fleet and entered overhaul. Her Commander, Nick Cooke-Priest moved to command Iron Duke, leaving second-in-command, Lt Cdr Alasdair Peppe in charge.[31]

2011 to present

During overhaul in October 2013

Cdr Ben Ripley assumed command following the 2012 refit and deployed to the Horn of Africa on anti-priracy and anti-drug missions in July 2013, .[32] She worked with the Combined Maritime Forces and returned home in October 2013[33][34]

In October 2014, Kent deployed to the Persian Gulf alongside USS Carl Vinson and other US Navy fleet units in the US Fifth Fleet's area of responsibility to help in efforts against smugglers, pirates, terrorists and also in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The ship visited many countries in the middle east, including Bahrain and Jordan. HMS Kent returned in May 2015.

In late 2016, Kent entered the Frigate Refit Complex in Devonport for an extensive refit which will include the fitting of the SeaCeptor missile system in place of Sea Wolf. After the refit, she was recommissioned in Portsmouth on 5 October 2018 under the command of Cdr Andy Brown, MBE.[35][36]

On 12 August 2019, Kent deployed toward the Persian Gulf to relieve HMS Duncan and protect commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf region.[37][38] In 2021, Kent deployed to the Pacific as part of the Royal Navy's carrier strike group.[39]

On 14 October 2021, Kent visited Chattogram, Bangladesh as part of celebrations of 50 years of Bangladeshi independence.[40] She departed Bangladesh on the 19 October.[41]

Cdr Jeremy "Jez" Brettell assumed command of Kent as her 14th and current Commanding Officer, relieving Cdr Matt J Sykes on 20 January, 2022.[42]

In 2022, Kent spent 127 days at sea.[43] In 2023, the frigate was again tasked to escort HMS Queen Elizabeth during her "Operation FIREDRAKE" deployment in northern European waters.[44] After some delay, the ship departed Portsmouth in late October.[45]

Commanding officers

Notable commanding officers include Kent's first CO, then Cdr John Clink, who went on to command HMS Ark Royal, Commander United Kingdom Strike Force, British Forces Gibraltar, and Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training, retiring as a Rear admiral, and earning an OBE in 2002 and CBE in 2017.[46] Cdr Gavin Pritchard went on to become Chief of Staff of the UK Maritime Component Commander's HQ in Bahrain, earning an OBE in 2009.[47] Cdr Nick Cooke-Priest would rise to Commodore and commander of HMS Queen Elizabeth, earning an OBE in 2016.[48] Cdr Andrew S Brown earned a MBE prior to his appointment to Kent as commander of HMS Chiddingfold in 2016.[49]

On 2 September 2000, men and women aboard HMS Kent participated in a Changing Rooms special to give the ship's mess rooms a makeover.[50]

Emily Hamilton's role of Lt Cdr Jenny Howard in the 2004 ITV series Making Waves was influenced by the real life Kent XO, Lt Cdr Vanessa Jane Spiller, then the first and only female XO serving aboard a warship in the Royal Navy.[51]

Affiliations

References

  1. ^ "FOI(A) regarding the Royal Navy" (PDF). What do they know?. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Type 23 Frigate". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 19 January 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  3. ^ Peruzzi, Luca (2017). "Royal Navy unveiled Sea Ceptor and launched first user group at DSEI 2017". European Defence Review.
  4. ^ @NavyLookout (23 October 2023). "@NavyLookout .@HMS_Kent leaves Portsmouth this morning following 3-week delay to her programme" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Royal Navy's Sea Venom light anti-ship missile full operating capability delayed until 2026". Navy Lookout. 21 June 2023.
  6. ^ a b "HMS Kent – The Millenium Frigate". Royal Navy. 2007. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  7. ^ 21st century
  8. ^ Dykes, Godfrey. "When Women first went to sea". RN Communications Branch Museum. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  9. ^ "HMS Kent Returns from Persian Gulf Mission". Royal Navy. 5 March 2002. [dead link‍]
  10. ^ Gibbs, Lee (12 June 2004). "Damage inspection as ships collide in sea op". The News (Portsmouth).
  11. ^ "Kent Sails for Deployment". Royal Navy. 26 June 2006. [dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Kent in the Northern Persian Gulf". Royal Navy. 29 August 2006. [dead link‍]
  13. ^ "HMS Kent". Royal Navy. 18 September 2006. [dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Kent Says Goodbye to the Northern Persian Gulf". Royal Navy. 16 October 2006. [dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Visit of HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York to HMS Kent". Royal Navy. 31 October 2006. [dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Kent Prepares to Hand Over Gulf Duties". Royal Navy. 6 November 2006. [dead link‍]
  17. ^ "HMS Kent". Royal Navy. 8 November 2006. [dead link‍]
  18. ^ "HMS Kent visits Beirut". Royal Navy. 20 November 2006. [dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Kent Visits Algiers on Her Way Home". Royal Navy. 8 December 2006. [dead link‍]
  20. ^ "HMS Kent Double Winners in ASW". Royal Navy. 22 June 2007. [dead link‍]
  21. ^ "Life on the Old Kent Road". Royal Navy. 13 December 2007. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
  22. ^ "Operational Sea Training Preparations". Royal Navy. 28 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
  23. ^ "Double Diesel Change". Royal Navy. 18 February 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
  24. ^ "Summer-Shine Jersey Welcomes Kent". Royal Navy. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
  25. ^ "HMS Kent Heads East". Royal Navy. 29 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2008.
  26. ^ "Deployment Day For Kent". Royal Navy. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008.
  27. ^ "HMS Kent Wreath Laying". COFEPOW.
  28. ^ "Heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (68)". World War II Database. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Kevin Denlay - Shipwreck Discoveries and SCUBA Diver". PacificWrecks.com.
  30. ^ See photos a third way down this page."HMS Exeter, Wreck survey report by Kevin Denlay". WW2 Wrecks.
  31. ^ "HMS Kent December update". Royal Navy. [dead link‍]
  32. ^ "Kent finds cool water is a key weapon in the war against piracy". Royal Navy. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  33. ^ "Female sailors 'Race for Life' on operations". Royal Navy. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  34. ^ "HMS Kent returns from security and Anti-piracy patrols in Middle East". Royal Navy. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  35. ^ Melton, Byron (5 October 2018). "HMS Kent rejoins Royal Navy fleet after recommissioning ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base". The News. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  36. ^ "Commander A S Brown MBE Royal Navy" (PDF). Royal Navy. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  37. ^ James, William (12 August 2019). "British warship sets sail for tanker escort mission in Gulf". Reuters. London, UK. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  38. ^ "HMS Kent and HMS Defender deploy on operations". Royal Navy. HMNB Portsmouth. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  39. ^ Allison, George (1 April 2021). "Composition of UK Carrier Strike Group confirmed". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  40. ^ Allison, George (19 October 2021). "HMS Kent, a frigate part of HMS Queen Elizabeth's Carrier Strike Group, was welcomed by the Bangladesh Navy". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  41. ^ Walters, Alex (19 October 2021). "HMS Kent departs Chattogram base after being 'delighted' by Bangladesh visit". forces.net. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  42. ^ "Commander J D Brettell Royal Navy" (PDF). Royal Navy.
  43. ^ Allison, George (1 June 2023). "Data reveals number of days warships spent at sea last year". UK Defence Journal.
  44. ^ "2023 Carrier Strike Group deployment begins". Navy Lookout. 11 September 2023.
  45. ^ @NavyLookout (23 October 2023). "@NavyLookout .@HMS_Kent leaves Portsmouth this morning following 3-week delay to her programme" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ "No. 61962". The London Gazette. 17 June 2017. p. B5.
  47. ^ "New Year honours list: Military". The Guardian. 30 December 2008.
  48. ^ "Operational Honours and Awards List: 18 March 2016". gov.uk.
  49. ^ Hirst, Lauren (21 March 2016). "Sailor thanks family for support after picking up MBE". Warrington Guardian.
  50. ^ PalasAthenea (7 September 2013). "BBC Changing Rooms – Episode 10 – Season 8". YouTube. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  51. ^ "Why my rear got a cheer". Manchester Evening News. 19 February 2007.
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