George Bush bound for Portsmouth after war games with Royal Navy

THE world’s newest and most powerful surface ship arrives in the Solent this weekend – after playing games with the best of British.

USS George H W Bush will be weekending in Stokes Bay on her maiden deployment, fresh from exercising in the Western Approaches with HMS Dauntless and Gloucester.

Exercise Saxon Warrior is one of the largest war games hosted by the Royal Navy in UK waters in recent years with other NATO forces, plus RAF and British Army units.

Temeraire hosts Services open day

THERE’S a chance for Portsmouth folk to meet some of the city’s sailors and Royal Marines and get to grip with their kit when HMS Temeraire hosts the inaugural Armed Forces and Emergency Services Open Day.

The June 1 event at the Burnaby Road establishment has grown out of an annual open day hosted in the Solent city by local law enforcement and emergency services – not least to help break down some of the barriers between young people who might have misconceptions of what the blues and twos do.

Bristol's back - minus her mast

Veteran destroyer HMS Bristol is towed into Portsmouth Harbour after a £4m refit on Tyneside – looking rather different from the vessel hauled north in October.

Her main mast was removed while in the hands of the A&P yard at Hebburn – the structure was becoming unsafe and wasn’t needed for Bristol’s role as an accommodation ship.

The trip to Tyneside – where the ship was built more than 40 years ago at the Swan Hunter yard, directly opposite the A&P works – was Bristol’s first major move in 17 years since she took up her role as the training and accommodation ship in Portsmouth Harbour, replacing the old HMS Kent.

BAE Systems undertakes refit of Royal Navy's HMS Lancaster

PORTSMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM (BNS): The Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate, HMS Lancaster, is undergoing an extensive refit at Portsmouth Naval Base as part of a £17.9 million contract with BAE Systems, reflecting the Company’s continued growth in support services.

The mid-life upkeep will significantly upgrade the capability of the 20 year old frigate to ensure she is ready to fulfil future operational commitments.

The work includes upgrades to the ship’s Seawolf guided missile system, command system, communications and the installation of a small calibre 30mm gun system, which can be remotely operated.

Fighting G glee as destroyer returns home

ON A glorious spring day the ship’s company line the upper decks of HMS Gloucester for the final time at the end of a deployment.

The ship sailed into Portsmouth Harbour this morning, bringing the curtain down on a magnificent 25-year career.

The veteran destroyer was greeted by hundreds of families and friends in Portsmouth – plus the lady who has followed the ship from the laying of the keel to this last act: the Duchess of Gloucester.

She’s shown avid interest in the Type 42’s progress through one war (first Gulf), two rededications and 15 captains.

Crowds gather to see Invincible towed out

THERE were three cheers for HMS Invincible one last time this morning – and not a few tears shed as the Falklands veteran was towed for breaking up.

A sizeable crowd gathered on Round Tower in Portsmouth for a final glimpse of the former flagship which is being taken to Turkey.

The carrier has been laid up in the naval base for the past six years and her innards gutted – engines and equipment removed – and her propellers removed.

Much of 'Vince' was cannibalised to keep her sisters running – the now defunct Ark Royal, which Invincible passed on her way out of Portsmouth, and HMS Illustrious.