HMS Albion Arrives Home After Ten-Month Deployment

HMS Albion has arrived home at HMNB Devonport having completed a ten-month overseas deployment.

The Amphibious Assault Ship left Britain in February and has sailed through the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, North Pacific Ocean, Atlantic, the Arabian Sea, and the Mediterranean.

She began her deployment with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean and subsequently sailed for the Far East – visiting Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Borneo.

Harrison Pounder, Engineering Technician, described the moment he found out the ship was going on a ten-month deployment.

"Well, there were rumours, as always, and then the rumours turned into the Captain getting everyone together and just explaining the situation.

"It was exciting but at the same time, some liked it more than others. 

"But I was pretty happy with ten months to the far east."

In total Albion spent two months in Japan, where she participated in a combined amphibious exercise with the Japanese Navy. However, the arrival of Typhoon Cimaron cancelled planned landing exercises.

Anthony Finnegan, Leading Engineering Technician, said "it was something different" when speaking of their deployment to Japan, he added that he had never been there before but it had always been somewhere he wanted to visit.

When she conducted her freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, China claimed it was provocative.

Captain Tim Neild, said they were in "full compliance" of international laws during her deployment.

"I've always been in full compliance with international laws and norms."

"We met many nations on the high seas and our interactions with all of those nations have been exceedingly professional.

Albion practised her amphibious skills alongside His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei’s Forces as part of Exercise Setia Kawan; the Royal Marines also took part in a simulated target attack from the sea.

Finally, she took part in Exercise Saif Sareea 3 in Oman – the largest military exercise staged in the country in 17 years – before heading for home, via the Suez Canal.

Before arriving in Plymouth Commanding Officer, Tim Neild added: “During the past ten months, HMS Albion has upheld the United Kingdom’s commitment to peace, security, and prosperity throughout the Asia Pacific and Middle East.

"I am immensely proud of my 500 Sailors and Marines who have delivered success on operations with trademark professionalism, upholding the Rules Based International System."