HMS Duncan joins forces with HMS Prince of Wales for Nato's Exercise Dynamic Mongoose - what are they doing
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Both Portsmouth ships will be conducting various military exercises in the North Atlantic and High North
A ferocious Royal Navy destroyer has joined forces with Britain’s flagship for an upcoming Nato exercise.
HMS Duncan has been seen sailing alongside HMS Prince of Wales in the Norwegian Sea. Alongside RFA Tidespring, the trio will be conducting workup drills before joining up with Nato’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1 tasking).
A social media statement said: “Keeping watch in the northern seas. HMS Duncan has joined HMS Prince of Wales, providing protection as we prepare for future. Ready, focused, and delivering at sea.”
The first task for the personnel is Exercise Dynamic Mongoose. Due to start in five days, it will see submarines, surface vessels, and aircraft deal with intense multi-threat scenarios. The aim is to keep the ship’s company on their toes for more intense operations in the future. Dynamic Mongoose is considered Nato’s premier anti-submarine warfare exercise in Northern Europe.
Exercise Tamber Shield will also be part of the Royal Navy’s remit alongside Nato and allies in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). Taking place off the fjords of Bergen, the Royal Navy said the carrier group will be involved in intense “swarm attack” drills alongside Archer-class P2000 vessels, Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, and heavily-armed Norwegian missile craft. These exercises will take place as Operation Firecrest begins to take shape, where the UK Carrier Strike Group will conduct more drills in the North Atlantic and High North.
HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer Commander James Mitchell said: “As a Type 45 destroyer, HMS Duncan brings world-class air defence capability to the Carrier Strike Group, providing essential protection to HMS Prince of Wales and other high-value units. Training alongside our allies in the North Atlantic and High North strengthens our ability to operate as an integrated and resilient force.”
This is HMS Duncan’s first major operation since fighting a swarm of drones off the coast of Wales earlier this year.