City sailors fly the flag in Asia

PLYMOUTH-BASED FRIGATE’S CREW MAKE A SPLASH IN ASIAN CITIES

- By MOLLY SEAMAN

SAILORS from Plymouth-based frigate 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 ship 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 port back in April to serve as the first line of antisubmarine defence against threats and any unwanted presence beneath the waves around flagship HMS Prince of Wales and the rest of the multinational task group.

HMS Richmond 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.