Hundreds of spectators gathered on Helensburgh’s seafront yesterday to witness HMS Neptune’s Field Gun public run.
The 18-strong Royal Navy team was preparing for the annual Field Gun Competition at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire next month.
Captain of HMS Neptune, Captain Craig Mearns, said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along to show their support to HMS Neptune Field Gun crew.
“They aren’t just HM Naval Base Clyde’s team, but also Helensburgh’s. Hopefully the encouragement they’ve received today will hold them in good stead at the upcoming field gun competition.”
FThe team, which is sponsored by Lockheed Martin Strategic Systems UK and Babcock, has undergone weeks of training in preparation for the competition.
The gunners have endured demanding physical fitness training twice a day, as well as continual training with the one-tonne Field Gun.
The exercise simulates the Naval Brigade’s mission to relieve the besieged British Army during the Second Boer War.
During the conflict sailors offloaded guns from HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful, manhandling them over many miles of difficult terrain to come to the Army’s aid and lift the siege.
During yesterday’s public run the team were joined by members of the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir and bomb disposal experts from Northern Diving Group ,who demonstrated some of the equipment they use to keep our coastline safe from the threat of maritime mines.
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