HMS Albion to be NATO Flagship

HMS Albion, the Brewers' Company's affiliated Royal Naval vessel, has deployed to become the NATO Flagship leading an international task group.  The ship sailed from Plymouth last week to head the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) operating in the Mediterranean.

Captain Tim Neild, HMS Albion's commanding officer, said, “It is a huge privilege for us to fly the flag of the NATO task group commander in such a high profile deployment. This symbolises the importance that the UK and the Royal Navy places on our role in NATO and in assuring the collective defence and security of NATO allies and partners.’’

This new tasking fulfils a vital contingency role for NATO in the Mediterranean. The task group will protect NATO interests by promoting security and stability in the region whilst offering options for NATO to deal with any emergent tasking. Over the coming months, HMS Albion will undertake presence and security operations as well as conducting multi-national exercises aimed at increasing the way the navies of the task group work together.

HMS Albion is returning to operations after a two-year period of extensive modernisation and a programme of training and sea trials. The Master and Clerk were delighted to visit the ship last September, following her rededication by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal in July.