Last week HMS Bulwark took part in its largest rescue operation to date when it rescued more than 1,000 migrants including at least 10 pregnant women.
HMS Bulwark and three Royal Navy Merlin Helicopters have played a leading role in working with other European nations to rescue the thousands of migrants being trafficked across the Mediterranean in an attempt to leave North Africa.
Last week HMS Bulwark took part in its largest rescue operation to date when it rescued more than 1,000 migrants including at least 10 pregnant women.
HMS Bulwark and three Royal Navy Merlin Helicopters have played a leading role in working with other European nations to rescue the thousands of migrants being trafficked across the Mediterranean in an attempt to leave North Africa.
A total of 2,700 people have been rescued by the assault ship since it was deployed last month.
The ship’s Captain, Nick Cooke-Priest, said:
“My helicopters have done a brilliant job locating a number of migrant vessels and my landing craft have effected their rescues with typical professionalism and complete success.
“In many ways this search and rescue mission is like an amphibious operation – I’ve deployed landing craft and aircraft in multiple waves, in poor visibility, operating autonomously over the horizon – the objective this time of course, being to save life.
“But it’s only through being trained for high intensity warfighting operations that we are able to execute such activities in peacetime.”
European countries are now working to create a long term solution to tackle the criminal gangs and trafficking networks which are profiting from this activity.
Join us in congratulating HMS Bulwark’s crew and supporting them this Armed Forces Day.