9th Mine Counter-Measures Squadron

The 9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron is a front-line squadron of the Royal Navy with responsibility for mine warfare in the Persian Gulf region. The squadron is based in Bahrain and is equipped with four mine countermeasure vessels and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship.

9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron
Active1962-1971, 2013-present[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Navy
TypeSquadron
RoleMine Countermeasures Squadron
Size5 ships as of 2017
Home portHMS Jufair, Bahrain

History

1962-1971

In its original guise, the 9th Mine Sweeping Squadron (MSS) was formed of four Ton-class sweepers – HM Ships Appleton, Kemerton, Flockton and Chilcompton which were specially fitted for the rigours of operating in the Persian Gulf. The ships had their pennant numbers painted in Arabic on the stern & carried a funnel badge featuring a dhow on a yellow background.[1]

The squadron was based in Aden and later Bahrain.[2] When Bahrain and Qatar became independent nations and Trucial States formed into the United Arab Emirates the squadron was disbanded.[3]

2013-present

The squadron was reformed in 2013 as the 9th Mine Countermeasures Squadron, the change in title reflecting the advances in mine countermeasures techniques in the intervening forty years. The squadron comprises two Hunt Class Mine Countermeasure Vessels and two Sandown Class Single Role Minehunters on three yearly rotation, supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Bay Class landing ship.[1] As in its original guise, the squadron operates out of Bahrain and carries the same funnel badge.[4]

References
  1. "Badge of honour for Gulf minehunters as historic squadron is reborn". Navy News. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  2. "Appleton M1106". Ton Class Association. Retrieved 2017-04-28.
  3. Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Seaforth Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 9781848320437.
  4. "Reborn Identity for Mine Countermeasure Squadron". Royalnavy.mod.uk. 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2017-04-28.
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