Cornishman
Well-Known Member
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
TRAFALGAR 200 28 June 2005
SIGNAL SENT TO THE NAVAL SERVICE (AFLOAT AND ASHORE) FROM FIRST SEA LORD EARLIER TODAY (28 JUNE 2005)
Exactly twenty-eight years ago, ships of the Royal Navy came together
with other Navies at anchor in the Solent as a Fleet to honour Her
Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Silver Jubilee. Today, Her
Majesty reviews an International Fleet that has gathered at the
invitation of the Royal Navy to celebrate our national maritime
heritage and to bring to the wider national and international
audience greater understanding of the role of modern Naval forces.
167 ships of 36 nations are participating in today's Review, an
international gathering of vessels probably never seen before, with
the aim also of demonstrating the unique and powerful bonds that
exist between the seafaring nations of the world - the international
spirit of the sea. That so many nations have accepted our
invitation to attend is a reflection of the continuing admiration and
respect felt towards the Royal Navy and the part our service has
played in international affairs over many centuries.
I am conscious that the demands on our ships, submarines, air
squadrons and Royal Marines are significant, and the fact that so
many have been able to come together to underpin this historic event
reflects the inherent flexibility of naval forces. Some of you have
only recently returned from operational deployments, some are about
to deploy, and others have managed to spare but a few days in your
tasking to join this Fleet. While we are fortunate to be able to
celebrate this occasion, other units of the Royal Navy continue with
their vital work. Sailors and marines remain engaged in some of the
most difficult conditions in Iraq and our ships continue to patrol
the Northern Gulf to protect Iraq's integrity as a nation. In the
West Indies we continue the fight against the menace of the drugs
trade while in the Mediterranean we remain engaged fully with other
NATO nations in counter-terrorism patrols. Our Ballistic Missile
Deterrent Force remains continuously at sea and the ships of the
Atlantic Patrol Task provide an umbrella of security for our
dependent territories, as well as being on constant readiness to
provide humanitarian assistance. Other units are deployed further
afield, in joint international exercises and in promoting the United
Kingdom's diplomatic interests in every corner of the Globe. In all
our activities the Royal Navy would be at a loss without the vital
support of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, celebrating its own centenary
this year. Only through the constant vigilance of our deployed units
and their people are we able to manage the events of today in
Portsmouth and the Solent, and I trust that wherever you and all who
serve with you are, you may be able to share in the significance of
this event through the medium of television.
The Royal Navy is often out of the public eye because of the very
nature of our business at sea. Through this International Fleet
Review I hope that the contribution that our service, both at sea and
ashore, provides to our nation, will be better understood. We are a
force for good that is as relevant today as in Nelson's day; that has
a justified reputation for excellence and whose people are as
resilient to the demands placed upon them as our predecessors over
many centuries during peace and conflict.
I am proud to lead such a magnificent Navy and, on an occasion when
we have the honour to welcome so many vessels and representatives of
foreign navies to the United Kingdom, I wish to thank each and
everyone of you, at sea and ashore, deployed or in home waters, for
what will today become a memorable occasion in the history of our
great maritime nation. ENDS
TRAFALGAR 200 28 June 2005
SIGNAL SENT TO THE NAVAL SERVICE (AFLOAT AND ASHORE) FROM FIRST SEA LORD EARLIER TODAY (28 JUNE 2005)
Exactly twenty-eight years ago, ships of the Royal Navy came together
with other Navies at anchor in the Solent as a Fleet to honour Her
Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Silver Jubilee. Today, Her
Majesty reviews an International Fleet that has gathered at the
invitation of the Royal Navy to celebrate our national maritime
heritage and to bring to the wider national and international
audience greater understanding of the role of modern Naval forces.
167 ships of 36 nations are participating in today's Review, an
international gathering of vessels probably never seen before, with
the aim also of demonstrating the unique and powerful bonds that
exist between the seafaring nations of the world - the international
spirit of the sea. That so many nations have accepted our
invitation to attend is a reflection of the continuing admiration and
respect felt towards the Royal Navy and the part our service has
played in international affairs over many centuries.
I am conscious that the demands on our ships, submarines, air
squadrons and Royal Marines are significant, and the fact that so
many have been able to come together to underpin this historic event
reflects the inherent flexibility of naval forces. Some of you have
only recently returned from operational deployments, some are about
to deploy, and others have managed to spare but a few days in your
tasking to join this Fleet. While we are fortunate to be able to
celebrate this occasion, other units of the Royal Navy continue with
their vital work. Sailors and marines remain engaged in some of the
most difficult conditions in Iraq and our ships continue to patrol
the Northern Gulf to protect Iraq's integrity as a nation. In the
West Indies we continue the fight against the menace of the drugs
trade while in the Mediterranean we remain engaged fully with other
NATO nations in counter-terrorism patrols. Our Ballistic Missile
Deterrent Force remains continuously at sea and the ships of the
Atlantic Patrol Task provide an umbrella of security for our
dependent territories, as well as being on constant readiness to
provide humanitarian assistance. Other units are deployed further
afield, in joint international exercises and in promoting the United
Kingdom's diplomatic interests in every corner of the Globe. In all
our activities the Royal Navy would be at a loss without the vital
support of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, celebrating its own centenary
this year. Only through the constant vigilance of our deployed units
and their people are we able to manage the events of today in
Portsmouth and the Solent, and I trust that wherever you and all who
serve with you are, you may be able to share in the significance of
this event through the medium of television.
The Royal Navy is often out of the public eye because of the very
nature of our business at sea. Through this International Fleet
Review I hope that the contribution that our service, both at sea and
ashore, provides to our nation, will be better understood. We are a
force for good that is as relevant today as in Nelson's day; that has
a justified reputation for excellence and whose people are as
resilient to the demands placed upon them as our predecessors over
many centuries during peace and conflict.
I am proud to lead such a magnificent Navy and, on an occasion when
we have the honour to welcome so many vessels and representatives of
foreign navies to the United Kingdom, I wish to thank each and
everyone of you, at sea and ashore, deployed or in home waters, for
what will today become a memorable occasion in the history of our
great maritime nation. ENDS
