Sailors from HMS Richmond enjoyed two of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cities as the Royal Navy warship sealed friendships and strengthened ties with the Philippines and Vietnam.
The Plymouth-based frigate paid a short – but high-profile – visit to the Filipino capital Manila before crossing the South China Sea for Ho Chi Minh City.
Since leaving Korean waters earlier this month the Type 23 frigate has been operating away from the core of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, from conducting patrols enforcing United Nation sanctions against North Korea, to discussing broader naval operations in Southeast Asia and flying the flag for the UK, be it British industry (Manila) or culture (Ho Chi Minh City).
Richmond left her home port back in April to serve as the first line of anti-submarine defense against threats and any unwanted presence beneath the waves around flagship HMS Prince of Wales and the rest of her multi-national task group.
She broke away after exercises with the ROK Navy and while the carrier and her escorts made for Singapore for the second time, Richmond was the centre of diplomatic, military and industrial interest.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker flew out to meet the ship and joined Commanding Officer Commander Rich Kemp for talks with the Philippines Navy and Coast Guard about maritime security and anti-submarine operations.
Tribute was paid at the Rizal Monument to a 19th Century revolutionary leader – it is custom for visiting dignitaries to lay a wreath – and a reception/demonstration was laid on for 150 guests back at the ship.
Lord Coaker returned to Richmond for the second day in Manila, devoted to championing the equipment, software and military kit designed by UK industry, spanning everything from countermeasures in the air and at sea, through drones and sea survival systems.
There was a rare run out for HMS Richmond FC as they took on the Philippines Navy – holders of the country’s armed forces cup. They proved too strong for the visitors, who struggled due to lack of match fitness/practice and eventually went down 5-3.
Defeat aside, Commander Kemp said his team had “a very enjoyable time in Manila. We were hosted exceptionally well by the Philippine Navy and achieved a great deal to strengthen the professional bonds between our two navies.”
Next stop, after a 1,000-mile passage of the South China Sea was Ho Chi Minh city.
The downside of visiting is a lengthy and demanding transit up the Saigon (which is also the city’s name pre-1975), but the reward is a berth about as close to the city center as you can get a 4,500-tonne warship.
Commander Kemp visited senior military officials and his ship’s company hosted tours for interested parties of their Vietnamese counterparts, as well as staff from the British Embassy and local business leaders.
Having lost on the football pitch, the ship hoped for better luck on the volleyball court against a Vietnamese Navy. It resulted in another entertaining affair but the Brits were “hammered”.
Commander Kemp, Richmond’s chaplain Chris Hutchins and sailors visited Saigon Children’s Charity to hand over more than £800 – donated by the ship’s company and friends to recognize the clergyman’s efforts. Leading up to the Vietnam visit, Chris ran ten kilometers daily for ten days.
The visit to Ho Chi Minh City ended with a concert on the jetty next to the ship – which served as an impressive and unusual backdrop for a celebration of Anglo-Vietnamese relations, with giant images projected on to the hull and superstructure.
An audience of more than 400 native and international guests enjoyed performances by some of Vietnam’s leading singers (in the rain at times, for a sudden and very heavy rainstorm struck mid-concert) and heard the UK’s Ambassador Iain Frew underscore the ties between the countries.
“Ho Chi Minh City was an absolutely fantastic port visit, offering a truly memorable experience for the entire crew,” said Lieutenant Commander Andy Hunt, Richmond’s Weapon Engineer Officer.
“Despite the busy operational tempo, the chance to explore the vibrant culture and history here was a definite highlight of the deployment so far”.
The ship has now rejoined the carrier force for the latest large-scale exercise of the Highmast deployment, Bersama Lima, a test of the military forces of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand) to demonstrate their collective ability to safeguard the region.