HMS Somerset will arrive in Malta today and will depart on Monday. The Type-23 frigate is returning to the UK, having spent a six-month deployment providing security to the Iraqi offshore oil infrastructure, vital to the Iraqi economy and the reconstruction effort of the coalition campaign, as well as conducting Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian Gulf and Counter Piracy Operations off the Horn of Africa.

Somerset sailed at the end of May from Plymouth, UK, for the Northern Arabian Gulf. After brief logistic stops in Gibraltar and Souda Bay, Crete, Somerset entered the Gulf of Suez in mid-June where she immediately provided a contribution to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. This is a coalition task force created in 2002 to counter terrorism, smuggling and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction within the Middle East, across an area of over 2.4 million nautical square miles. Another key aim for CTF 150 is providing a stable and secure maritime environment for the protection of merchant shipping and maintaining the viability of sea lanes in an area where 33,000 shipping movements take place and some 50% of the world’s oil and gas passes through each year.

Somerset has actively conducted wider regional engagement with five Gulf states (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) to develop and strengthen bilateral relationships and actively demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the region’s enduring stability and prosperity.

Somerset’s commanding officer, Commander Andrew Burns, Royal Navy, said, “My ship’s company of 200 has achieved considerable effect throughout the Middle and Near East in direct support to the UK’s strategic interests in the region and as part of coalition maritime forces. Our presence has supported the Iraqi navy in defending the Al Basrah oil terminal, allowed legitimate seafarers in the Arabian Gulf to go about their business unhindered, and engaged with key allies of the UK throughout the Gulf. This activity confirms the UK’s and the Royal Navy’s commitment to the security of this vital region. My ship’s company is now looking forward to a well-earned stand down in Valletta, where we were so warmly welcomed in March last year.”

HMS Somerset is a Type-23 “Duke”-class frigate based in Plymouth, UK. In 2007 she underwent a multi-million pound refit and is one of the most modern and capable warships in the fleet.

HMS Somerset will be berthed at Pinto Wharf. The ship will not be open to the public during her stay.