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The magazine of Number 10 Area, RNA 10 Area. Welcome Aboard.
Welcome to the Royal Naval Association Number 10 Area web site. Number 10 area is the largest of the RNA areas, and stretches from Whitehaven to Crewe, across the sea to the Isle of Man and across the border into North Wales.
This web site will be a place to check out the latest news from around the area and beyond, to link to other sites and to find out information about the committee and branches. There is also a photo gallery where you can share all your pictures. Comrades and shipmates who have crossed the bar will also be remembered. The minutes of the area committee will be available on the site. We also have a comprehensive collection of official papers from the National Archives and other sources released under the Freedom of Information Act.
RN news from around the world.
28.11.09
First Sea Lord talks beyond Afghanistan
Head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the First Sea Lord, has spoken today about how the Navy is supporting operations in Afghanistan and how Defence needs to think beyond Afghanistan.
Admiral Stanhope gave his speech at Chatham House, home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs on Friday 27 November 2009. The full text of his speech is available to download from here.
28.11.09
HMS Kent saves merchant seaman in Gulf.
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Kent has saved a sailor from drowning in the Gulf. The merchant seaman was reported to have fallen overboard from the Cypriot-registered merchant vessel 'Peter Paul' and was thought to have spent six hours in the water before the Royal Navy plucked him to safety. The search was co-ordinated by Combined Task Force 152 from its operations headquarters in Bahrain and both the United States Navy's Arleigh Burke Class destroyer USS Benfold and HMS Kent were involved in the hunt for the missing man.
HMS Kent received information on the stricken sailor whilst conducting maritime security operations in the Gulf. They immediately set course for his location. The frigate's Lynx helicopter was launched at first light and rushed to the scene to conduct a search, which lasted an hour before the pilot, Lieutenant Gary McCall of 815 Naval Air Squadron, located him.
The flight observer, Lieutenant Joe Keane, lowered the aircraft's winchman, Air Engineering Technician (AET) Mike Purcell, into the water in a textbook rescue operation. The Lynx then landed the exhausted man onto USS Benfold for medical treatment. The ship's Commanding Officer, Commander Simon Hopper, said: "Safety of life at sea is something close to every mariner's heart and we all hope that we will never be in a position to need assistance. I am delighted that in this incident HMS Kent was able to respond to the distress of another sailor and save a life."
22.06.09
"Serious Mistakes" in Type 45 Procurement."
Delays to new Royal Navy destroyers may have "deeply worrying implications" for the UK's defence, MPs have warned. The first Type 45 destroyer is set to enter service later this year, more than two years late, &pou1.5bn over budget, and not fully operational.
Edward Leigh, chairman of the cross-party Commons Public Accounts Committee, described the delays as "disgraceful".
He said: "HMS Daring, the first of the six Type 45s, will not now enter service until the end of 2009, over two years late and £1.5bn over the original budgeted cost.
"It will enter service with not one of its main anti-air missiles having been fired from the ship - and it will not be fully operational until 2011. The fleet of Type 45s will not have their full capability until well into the next decade."
The full report is available here.
16.05.09
Bulwark Commemorates Singapore War Dead
HMS Bulwark has conducted a service of remembrance to mark the Centenary of Naval Aviation, in commemoration of those men of the Fleet Air Arm that were killed in action or died in captivity during the defence and eventual recapture of Singapore 1941 - 1945. After a poignant and reflecting visit to the Changi Museum and former POW Chapel the Officers and Sailors conducted a service and wreath laying ceremony at the Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery where 3000 souls are buried and the stone walls contain the names of 24 thousand Service men and civilians that lost their lives during the Japanese occupations of the East Indies.
HMS Bulwark, the Taurus 09 Flagship in company with HMS Ocean, Somerset, Echo RFA Wave Ruler and USS Mitcher, are visiting Singapore as part of a large International Maritime Defence Exhibition prior to taking part in a multinational exercises around the seas off Brunei.
The Service was officiated by Bulwark’s Chaplain Mike Hills and attended by members of the Ships Air Departments and 820 Naval Air Squadron. Speaking at the event Bulwark’s Commanding Officer, Captain Wayne Keble said: "I am honoured that HMS Bulwark has been able to mark this year's Naval Aviation Centenary with a touching tribute not only to Naval Aviators, but also to the thousands of men women and children of the Commonwealth who died in those terrible conditions over 65 years ago"