Warship returns home from Gulf

HMS Grafton returned to Portsmouth Naval Base after serving in the Gulf

A warship involved in defending offshore oil terminals from attack by militants in Iraq returned to Portsmouth Naval Base on Friday.

The 174-strong crew of HMS Grafton spent six months patrolling the northern Gulf and helping train the new Iraqi Coastal Defence Force.

The Type 23 frigate also conducted general security patrols in Iraqi territorial waters.

Commanding officer, Cdr Adrian Cassar, said the deployment was "rewarding".

He added: "Our principal task was to defend the Al Basrah and Khawr Al-Amaya oil terminals from possible attack by militants attempting to de-stabilise the political processes in Iraq.

"Grafton had to remain alert throughout our 63 days patrolling the area."

She was the centrepiece of the Navy's contribution to the tercentenary celebrations as the First Sea Lord's flagship in Gibraltar.

The Ipswich's affiliated warship also made goodwill visits to Safaga in Egypt, Karachi, Muscat, Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait, during breaks in operation.

After a period of leave and maintenance, the Grafton will begin preparing for her next deployment some time in 2005.