The ship has taken part in numerous regular MINEXs (combined Anglo-American workouts for their mine warfare forces based in the Gulf), large International Maritime Exercises focused on wider security in Middle East waters, and four Khunjar Haad (Sharp Dagger) exercises – the principal annual test of Oman’s armed forces to which her allies are invited.
Most recently, Cardigan Bay was at the hub of the Anglo-French-US Artemis Trident, run every two years. Beyond the usual mine hunting element, exercise directors threw in a series of self-defence tests against air and surface threats, maritime security, force protection and diving operations.
The ship was critical to the success of the large-scale exercise, transferring fresh water, fuel and stores for Royal Navy and coalition ships as they ‘rafted up’ – berthed – alongside the ship in the middle of the Gulf.
Before departing the Middle East, Cardigan Bay handed over support duties to RFA Lyme Bay; the second time she’s relieved her sister ship on what is a well-trodden path of maintaining a continuous presence in the Gulf theatre of operations.
And one month later… on a blustery, chilly, un-June-like midsummer morning… Commodore David Eagles, head of the RFA, was on hand to welcome the crew home and thank them for their efforts.
“After four years as a forward presence, supporting defence outputs in the Gulf, RFA Cardigan Bay returns to the UK for a major refit and upgrade at our industrial partner shipyard in Falmouth. Prior to this I am delighted to welcome her home to Portland after such a prolonged deployment on the front line,” he said.
