Northern Ireland Squadron

The Northern Ireland Squadron was a unit of the Royal Navy.  It was established during the conflict in Northern Ireland known as the troubles to interdict the movement by sea of illegal arms for paramilitaries and to provide other material support for anti-terrorist operations in Northern Ireland.

The squadron was moved to HM Naval Base Clyde, aka Faslane Naval Base, Scotland in 1993.
In 1993, River Class Minesweepers, Blackwater, Spey, Arun and Itchen were all assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron where they replaced the ageing Ton Class Minesweepers.

The River-class vessels were replaced in 1998 with the Hunt Class Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMV's)

In 2005, with the Provisional Irish Republican Army having decided to enter into a permanent ceasefire, it was decided that the squadron was no longer required. The last three ships of the squadron, the Hunt-class ships HMS Brecon, HMS Cottesmore and HMS Dulverton were decommissioned on 19 July 2005.

Hms Brecon (M29) 

Brecon was built at Vosper Thornycroft, the lead yard for the Hunt Class. She was launched by the Duchess of Kent and commissioned on 18 December 1979. Brecon saw service just after the Falklands War (1982) and the Gulf War (1991). In 1998 she was assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron. She acted as guardship to the tall ships race when it visited Greenock in 1999.

Brecon was the first Royal Navy vessel to be commanded by a woman. Lieutenant Charlotte Atkinson became commanding officer of HMS Brecon in January 2004. "Charlie" was the only woman among the 45-strong crew of the ship. Her historic appointment came 14 years after the Royal Navy first began admitting female officers on equal terms with men.

Brecon's assignment to the Northern Ireland Squadron required modifications from her traditional minesweeping duties to become a fully capable patrol platform. This included the addition of Rigid Inflatable Boats and embarkation of a 10-strong Royal Marine boarding team.

Brecon was decommissioned following defence cuts announced in 2004.  The ship's company held a last Divisions and decommissioning ceremony on 19 July 2005.  In February 2008, Brecon was taken in hand for use as a static training ship at Jupiter Point, HMS Raleigh, where she is utilised to provide new recruits with their first taste of life aboard a Royal Navy ship.

 

Brecon is seen here arriving at her home base of Faslane

Seen here fitting out after her refit at Rosyth Dockyard

Hms Cottesmore (M32)

Cottesmore was a Hunt Class Mine Counter Measure Vessel (MCMV), launched in 1982 and converted in 1997 into a patrol vessel. The ship was declared surplus to requirement and put on the MoD list for disposal in 2004. In 2008 she was bought by Lithuania, alongside her sister HMS Dulverton.

Lieutenant-Commander HRH The Duke of York commanded HMS Cottesmore from April 1993 until November 1994.

She was decommissioned by the Royal Navy in September 2005. Her ship's bell and other memorabilia were presented to the village of Cottesmore, Rutland.

Cottesmore is expected to enter service with the Lithuanian Navy in 2011.

She is seen here departing Rosyth following her conversion to a patrol boat in 1997.

A close up of the RHiB's on the aft end.

Hms Dulverton (M35)
Dulverton was a Hunt Class Mine Counter Measure vessel (MCMV), launched in 1982 and converted in 1997 into a patrol vessel. The ship was declared surplus to requirement and put on the MoD list for disposal in 2004. In 2008 she was bought by Lithuania, along with Hms Cottesmore.

Dulverton is expected to enter service with the Lithuanian Navy in 2011.

She is seen here departing for a patrol from her home port of Faslane