What would happen if an aircraft were forced to ditch, not in the water of the River Hudson – as depicted in the Hollywood blockbuster Sully – but into the open sea in the northern Gulf? Royal Navy minehunter HMS Middleton joined sailors and aircrew from the USA, Kuwait and Iraq in an international test of their collective lifesaving abilities, Forces News reports.
The minehunter left her base in Bahrain to support the multinational Combined Taskforce 152, which is responsible for the safety and security of shipping, specifically inside the Gulf, as it hosted a Solas exercise – safety of life at sea.
The exercise involved ships from the Kuwaiti Naval Forces, the Kuwaiti Coast Guard, and the US Coast Guard, which were used on the water, while the Kuwait Police Flying Wing gave helicopter support.
The Brits had first to find an aircraft and then coordinate the response of the vessels and aircraft.
HMS Middleton’s Navigating Officer Lieutenant Jack Savage said the 50 crew welcomed the chance of a “uniquely rewarding experience”.
“For us, operating in a new area of the Gulf added a layer of excitement and challenge, making the exercise even more memorable,” he said.
“What stood out most was the seamless communication across all units – clear, concise, and effective – which played a key role in the overall success of the exercise.
“Witnessing the unity and coordination among the different national assets was truly impressive.”
The training came to a successful conclusion as the personnel saved lives.
Lieutenant Commander Kyle O’Regan, HMS Middleton’s Commanding Officer, was impressed by the Kuwait and Iraqi sailors.
“Their professional abilities were clear for all to see during the manoeuvring exercises, and their communication during the exercise was crisp and efficient, leading to a rapid and comprehensive search of the area,” he said.
“I’m confident that had this been a real incident, we would have searched the area quickly and most likely found the aircraft.”
