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HMS Campbeltown Visits Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070122-05
Release Date: 1/22/2007 9:30:00 AM

By Lt. Cmdr. Bill Booth, Royal Navy, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (NNS) -- Royal Navy Type frigate HMS Campbeltown visited Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 21-22, to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RNSF).

During the visit, Campbeltown conducted cultural, sporting and social events to foster good relationships, as well as meetings with the RNSF.

“HMS Campbeltown is here to strengthen relationships with our friends,” said HMS Campbeltown commanding officer Royal Navy Capt. Rupert Wallace. “We want to take the opportunity to discuss regional subjects with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and something we are looking forward to is welcoming their officers on board.”

While in Jeddah, the crew of HMS Campbeltown enjoyed events which developed relationships with the local community. Williams hosted a lunch on board for the RSNF, and an official reception, with 130 local guests, also took place. The ship sailed with a number of local dignitaries embarked for the departure. The crew took advantage of the visit to relax by taking part in a number of sporting events against local football, hockey and rugby teams, as well as absorbing the cultural sights and experiencing local shopping.

This was Campbeltown’s second port visit in the northern Red Sea. The ship is on a two-month deployment in the region conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which is currently commanded by Royal Navy Commodore Bruce Williams. CTF 150 is the maritime force that conducts MSO in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

“As a thoroughfare of the world, the Red Sea is clearly an essential part of my area of responsibility,” said Williams. “The coalition places great importance on our relationship with our regional friends such as Saudi Arabia, and such cooperation aims to further enhance the security of the high seas and all those who legitimately make their living from the sea.”

HMS Campbeltown joins coalition naval forces in the region to conduct MSO in international waters and help promote, when asked, regional nation’s ability to safeguard legitimate activity in their territorial waters. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well complement the counter-terrorism and security effort of regional nations. These operations deter illegal use of the maritime environment as a venue to attack or to transport personnel, weapons and other material. MSO include a full range of activities from assisting mariners in distress, to visit, board, search and seizure operations to engaging regional and coalition navies.

CTF 150 comprises ships from a number of coalition nations, including Canada, Germany, Pakistan, United Kingdom and the U.S.