Service history HMS Manchester (D95)

1 service history

1.1 operations
1.2 gulf war
1.3 post-gulf war

service history
early operations

hms manchester commissioned in 1983 50% of ship s company taken sheffield , coventry s survivors. manchester s first operational deployment falkland islands in 1983/84. during mid-1980s manchester participated in royal navy s global 86 tour task group, led illustrious, detached fly flag in round world cruise , series of port visits.

the ship joined 5th destroyer squadron.

in 1988, saw service on operation armilla, in company frigates jupiter (returned uk mechanical problems) , beaver. whilst on deployment ship visited uk prime minister, margaret thatcher, made flying visit following tour of india. period coincided end of iran-iraq war , shooting down of iran air flight 655 aegis missile cruiser uss vincennes on morning of 4 july 1988.

gulf war

in 1991, during first gulf war, participated in numerous operations in persian gulf, aimed @ upholding trade blockade imposed on iraq during saddam hussein s invasion of kuwait. won lineage newest battle honour - persian gulf 1991.

post-gulf war

in 2000, manchester deployed on atlantic patrol tasking (north) caribbean. returned second 4-month spell in 2003.

in 2004, manchester acted in role of fleet ready escort (fre). in september manchester sailed portsmouth take part in exercise destiny glory o4, large nato exercise in mediterranean, part of rn naval task force consisting of invincible, southampton , royal fleet auxiliary fort george. during deployment manchester visited number of ports in mediterranean.

in autumn of 2005, manchester deployed in mediterranean part of nato task force. during four-month deployment employed in counter terrorist role alongside other european , american ships.

from 27–30 july 2009, manchester travelled bermuda celebrate british overseas territory s 400th anniversary. crew took part in historical re-enactment of wrecking of sailing ship sea venture on 28 july 1609, en route rescue supply ship british colonialists in virginia @ time.

during tour, visited falkland islands, brazil , colombia , spent time in cape verde counter-narcotics training local coastguard. upon return britain junior rating alleged have attempted smuggle 12 kilograms of cocaine in bags in personal quarters.

in 2010 manchester on seven-month deployment caribbean, on counter-drug operations , display of security britain s overseas territories in region. on 15 november 2010, manchester became first british warship visit havana, cuba, since bigbury bay in 1957. officers discussed co-operation cuban navy on counter-drug-trafficking , disaster relief operations in region. manchester s visit cuba supposedly paved way thawing of us-cuba relations. deployment ended in december 2010 , culminated in £19 million drug bust. caribbean deployment subject of channel 5 documentary series entitled royal navy caribbean patrol broadcast 7 february 2011 onwards.

on 2 february 2011, manchester berthed @ liverpool, england, city nearest manchester, city of affiliation. crew hosted civic reception onboard before parading through city final freedom of city parade.