Take a trip to the Caribbean with this seafarer
Lieutenant Andrew Lambert, from 1700 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), is currently deployed with RFA Argus in the Caribbean in preparation for Hurricane season
Andrew tells us about his deployment in the Caribbean👇
I am currently deployed with RFA Argus on Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North).
The mission of the deployment is to provide, humanitarian and disaster relief to British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean throughout the hurricane season.
- RFA Argus heads to support the Caribbean
- Marines support maritime policing in the Caribbean
- What support have we given to our Caribbean Overseas Territories?
- British Forces in the Caribbean: Supporting our Overseas Territories
Additionally, disrupting and deterring the flow of illegal narcotics to the UK has a huge impact to lives of everyone back home and across Europe, reducing the number of drugs on the streets and the associated crime.
My role onboard is providing Air Traffic Control in the immediate airspace around RFA Argus. I am also currently in the process of training junior officers to take on this role on other aviation capable ships around the fleet.
Operating and flying helicopters is what my unit (1700 NAS) and RFA Argus do — That’s operating business for us.
However, preparation for this deployment was a rapidly changing sequence of events. With the initial plan to conduct disaster relief and counter-narcotics, this very rapidly evolved as COVID-19 hit and pre-deployment leave was cancelled for all.
I am proud to say that everyone across my team pulled together and 1700 NAS demonstrated its flexibility, resilience and determination to succeed.
Due to the global restrictions around COVID-19 and with very limited contact to the outside world, 4 months of self-isolation onboard is challenging but business as usual for the Royal Navy.
It’s all about building a structure for your week, finding different activities to occupy your time.
So far this deployment, in addition to the daily rhythm of operating helicopters I have helped raise funds for the NHS by completing a gruelling physical training challenge (The C-19 Challenge) — made even more difficult with daily temperatures in excess of 30-degrees.
Being on deployment I, of course, miss my wife and children. I also miss the things most people take for granted, things like the birds singing, the open countryside and the great British weather. Oh and my daughter makes the best cakes, everyone on board is missing those!
I began my Royal Navy career 24 years ago. My first deployment was on RFA Argus. I got to travel all around the warm waters of the Mediterranean and up to the frozen seas of Northern Norway.
After my time on Argus, I was selected to attend higher-level Engineering Technician Training before rejoining the front line as part of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) maintaining Mk4 helicopters. During my time on CHF, I deployed on multiple tours of Operation TELIC in Iraq.
During this time I also deployed on HMS Ocean to conduct amphibious jungle training with the Royal Marines in the jungles of Sierra Leone and deployed to Akrotiri in Cyprus to assist in the evacuation of British Nationals from Lebanon in 2006.
I then had the pleasure to deploy to Norway for Arctic warfare and survival training, living and operating aircraft in temperatures as low as -36 degrees.
- By sea, by land and by ice: Royal Marines in Norway
- Royal Marines take on the harsh conditions in Norway
- In Pictures: Running like Clockwork
On return from the frozen environment of Norway, I deployed on multiple tours of OP Herrick in Afghanistan, based at Camp Bastion and Kandahar Air Field.
- Are British soldiers still in Afghanistan? Here’s three things you need to know
- In Pictures: Afghanistan through their eyes
As the lead engineer for the squadron in theatre, it was my responsibility to provide availability of aircraft to support ground forces and assist in the training of the Afghan National Army.
In late 2018 my career went full circle when I was appointed to my current role and drafted back to RFA Argus. Joining this time in the position of Flight Commander, leading the embarked Naval party where I had begun my career 22 years previously.
Having now served for 24 years I can confidently say that I have loved every moment of my career, working alongside some incredible people, in all environments across the globe.
As the advert says I was born in Sidcup but I was made in the Royal Navy.
I would have never been able to serve as long as I have without the support of my wife and children.
I am looking forward to getting home, just in time for their birthdays and being able to sit in my garden listening to the birds sing and enjoying some time at home, although I expect there is a long list of jobs for me to do!
