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Goodbye Leith, thank you for making us so welcome as we celebrated our dedication service 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚓️

The Duke of Edinburgh has attended the commissioning ceremony of Stirling Castle. 🚢

The new Naval ship will act as a ‘mother ship’ for an array of remotely-operated and autonomous systems that will scour home waters looking for mines. Click to read more.

RFA Stirling Castle Stirling Castle Royal Fleet Auxiliary The Royal Family Royal Navy Royal Navy in Scotland Navy Lookout Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity

Today we had the privilege to be joined by HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, for our service of dedication.

The ceremony, attended by representatives from Stirling Castle and the wider MOD, saw us formally welcomed into RFA Service ⚓️

📸 PO(PHOT) Barry Wheeler

As we bring our first stint on the Clyde to a close, we have had a brilliant couple of weeks integrating with HMMB Clyde, HMS Neptune & Mine & Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG), culminating with mission team personnel & equipment embarking in Stirling Castle for training.

Next we head to FOST Royal Navy ⚓️

In the coming weeks Zulu Squadron, formerly known as MST3, starts an integration package with RFA Stirling Castle to operate at reach whilst deployed on a host platform.

Today's coffee view came with an introduction to RFA Stirling Castle and the command team. Royal Fleet Auxiliary Royal Navy in Scotland

Brilliant to make our first entry into HM Naval Base Clyde & the wider Clyde area as we shift our attention towards maintenance and integrating with Mine & Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) ⚓️

SARC Safe - After busy week of put through our paces by the FOST Royal Navy team, testing the crew's responses to emergencies, we are out bound from Devonport and on towards our next step with Mine & Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG)

A cracking shot by Kevin Kelway, BCAc.

What you cannot see is the Ship’s company fighting a Main Machinery Space Fire (exercise) like a well-oiled machine under the watchful eye of the FOST Royal Navy team.

#WeAreWinning

A bit of grey day with a fresh SW-ly ...
Royal Fleet Auxiliary RFA Stirling Castle out / in and from a few days ago Johan de Witt (@johandewittNL) pitching easily.

(sorry... forgot the tripod 🙄)

1/4. Mission System Team 3 (MST3) has been delivering operational output, providing a clear picture of the seabed within the Clyde. As well as, conducting trials and developing the use of autonomous equipment in support of the future Mine Counter Measures (MCM) in the Royal Navy.

RFA Stirling Castle Today was my first time photographing her, very cool!

Nostalgia moment... most of you have probably never heard (of) 'Smoke on the Water'. Today's phots of Royal Fleet Auxiliary RFA Tideforce at D and RFA Stirling Castle inbound.

Stirling Castle has had a busy shakedown week, carrying out:
MOBEXs, NAVEXs, FIREXs, Machinery & Steering Gear Breakdown Drills.
Now face to FOST on Monday....
#RFA #Trainasyoufight

🎆 New Year's Resolutions 🎆
Go to sea ✅️
Successful ISM inspection ✅️
Conduct Compass Swing ✅️
Conduct Sea Acceptence Trails ✅️
Complete SARC
Support RN future Minehunting

So far so good......

#RFA #NewYearNewMe
#CareersAtSea

On completion of various upgrades to our galley, the onboard Chefs treated us to Steak Night 🥩

The best chefs in the fleet? We think so! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻