The UK Royal Navy, together with the French and Guinean Navies, has conducted exercises aimed at building relations in a range of areas, including defence, training and commerce, off the coast of West Africa.
During the exercises in the Atlantic Ocean, the navies honed navigational skills and seamanship, which are to be implemented upon the completion of combined maritime patrols.
The event involved two British ships, the HMS Iron Duke and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tanker Black Rover, which joined the French frigate Commandant Blaison, two Guinean patrol vessels, and an aircraft from the Guinean Fisheries Protection.
RFA Black Rover commanding officer captain Nigel Budd said: "We were delighted to take part in this regional engagement visit to Guinea and participate in exercises.
"These have served to develop UK / Guinea relations in a wide range of aspects, including defence, training and commerce."
As part of the exercise, personnel from Iron Duke were sent across to the Guinean patrol vessels and vice versa.
HMS Iron Duke commanding officer commander Tom Tredray said: "My ship and her company welcomed the opportunity to work with the Guinean and French Navies to improve security and stability in the waters off West Africa."
Image: The UK Royal Navy’s HMS Iron Duke (top) with RFA Black Rover (middle) and FNS Commandant Blaison during the exercise. Photo: courtesy of the Royal Navy.
