HMS Albion visits Turkey during ongoing Mediterranean mission

The Royal Navy's amphibious flagship HMS Albion has completed a successful stop in Turkey.

After amphibious exercises in Cyprus, HMS Albion sailed east in the Aegean Sea to host staff from NATO Land Command, the headquarters of which is based in Izmir.

Supported by the British Embassy, she hosted NATO's Allied Land Command for discussions on littoral warfare and the future of amphibious operations with NATO allies, welcoming dignitaries on board.

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HMS Albion is currently leading the Littoral Response Group North, a task force designed to react to crises in European waters.

Closer bonds were formed between the Royal Navy and Turkish Naval Forces after Albion worked with the Turkish landing ship Bayraktar and her Seahawk helicopter as she left Izmir.

Amphibious warfare staff from both nations also shared knowledge from recent exercises, including those which recently took place in Cyprus and from Norwegian-led exercises in the Arctic in March and April.

"Given the strategic location of Turkey, I am delighted that Albion has been able to visit our important NATO partner and reaffirm the strong links between our navies," said task group commander and Commanding Officer of HMS Albion, Captain Simon Kelly.

Lieutenant Commander Matt Taborda, the planning officer for the Littoral Response Group deployment, said: "This visit presented an ideal opportunity to reinforce the importance of securing sea lines of communication to our Turkish Naval colleagues and land-focused NATO colleagues.  "The safe and secure delivery of large scale logistical shipping is a vital aspect to the sustainment of NATO's Land Command operations."

The visit included a ship's tour with various stances demonstrating firefighting and damage control, medical expertise and Remotely Piloted Air Systems. Visitors also got to visit Albion's vehicle deck to see the vessel's specialist amphibious assault equipment.

Forces News got to see the amphibious assault ship training in Plymouth Sound prior to her setting sail for the Mediterranean.

The amphibious warfare ship was training alongside RFA Mounts Bay, 45 Commando Royal Marines and Merlin helicopters.

Watch: On exercise with HMS Albion in Plymouth Sound.

At the same time, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender, which is the Littoral Response Group North's powerful escort ship, was in Greece working with Hellenic Navy. Both ships and the rest of the task force, which also includes RFA Argus and RFA Mounts Bay, have now returned to security operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.