HMS Trent has been deployed to hunt drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea – a different part of the world to her usual area of operation.

The Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) replaces HMS Dauntless, who has arrived back in Portsmouth, having seized more than £200m worth of cocaine during her hurricane season deployment.

HMS Trent usually operates in the Mediterranean and off the west coast of Africa as part of a long-term security mission, but will be taking over HMS Medway’s duties in the Caribbean.

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HMS Medway, a River-Class vessel, normally patrols the Caribbean, but has been in the South Atlantic while her sister vessel HMS Forth underwent maintenance.

Prior to her Caribbean mission, HMS Trent had been working with coastal West African nations to help disrupt illegal activity and promote security along the busy shipping lanes during her second deployment to the Gulf of Guinea.

Deployed with a specialist Royal Marines boarding team and a Puma surveillance drone, HMS Trent worked to develop skills and techniques needed to counter illicit activity in the region.

The ship’s company has been carrying out post-deployment maintenance over the past month, getting the OPV ready for the Caribbean Sea.

Sub-Lieutenant Tom Bartlett said: “Our tour of the Gulf of Guinea was a great opportunity to train with and build relationships with partner nations. The crew have thoroughly enjoyed their time in Gibraltar whilst we prepare for our new adventures.”

HMS Trent travelled as far as Nigeria, visiting seven countries in West Africa, supporting local navies, hosting local dignitaries and supporting maritime security in the region.

She is a permanently forward-deployed naval vessel, commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2020, tasked with upholding maritime security and UK interests in the Mediterranean and around Africa.

HMS Trent, which has a range of 5,500 nautical miles, is also tasked with shielding fishing stocks and performing constabulary duties.

The OPV underwent extensive maintenance in Gibraltar earlier in the year.

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809 Naval Air Squadron has been disbanded five times in its history – but is being resurrected once again to become the first Royal Navy formation to fly the new F-35B Lightning.

Originally formed during the Second World War, 809 NAS received a number of battle honours ranging from the Arctic in 1941 to the Falklands in 1982.

809 NAS will be brought back on Friday 9 December and was chosen by former first sea lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas due to the squadron’s “illustrious history as a strike and attack squadron”.

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With the motto “Immortal”, the squadron has earned its incredible reputation as it was called upon time and time again during some of Britain’s darkest hours.

Formed in 1941 at Royal Naval Air Station St Merryn, the squadron would go on to see action in some of the most crucial theatres of the conflict.

Aircrew from 809 NAS flying Fairey Fulmar fighters were used in support of the invasions of North Africa, Italy and the south of France.

They also fought alongside HMS Victorious in 1942, and later operated over the Indian Ocean against Japan in 1944.

After the war, the squadron continued to distinguish itself and saw action in the Suez Operation in 1956 using Sea Venom fighters.

It also flew the Blackburn Buccaneer, a low-level strike bomber that was operated by the Fleet Air Arm from 1965 to 1979.

When Great Britain found itself at war with Argentina in the Falklands, 809 Naval Air Squadron was once again called upon.

Reformed in 1982, the squadron was brought back specifically to fly Sea Harriers from HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible during the conflict.

The squadron was decommissioned in December of that same year. During the conflict, none of its Harriers was lost.

In the next chapter of 809 Naval Air Squadron’s story, the crews will be operating one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world.

The unit is being resurrected to fly the new fifth-generation stealth F-35B Lightning.

The aircraft is capable of ground attack, air superiority and air-to-air combat roles.

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