Hundreds of submariners, veterans, families and support workers were given unprecedented access to the Faslane naval base to mark the 50th anniversary of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
Princess Anne was guest of honour last Friday, attending t a parade and meeting some of the men and women responsible for maintaining the nuclear deterrent, initially via the Polaris system and now with Trident.
In what is thought to be the biggest single gathering of Royal Navy submariners since the Second World War, the visitors were treated to the usually secret sight of a Vanguard class submarine completely out of the water, when the base’s shiplift facility opened its doors to reveal one of the 16,000 tonne vessels undergoing routine maintenance.
The Royal Navy Submarine Service was entrusted with delivering and operating the country’s nuclear deterrent in 1969 and says that since then there has been at least one ballistic submarine patrolling at sea, consecutively and continuously.
During that entire time, the submarines and crews who sail them have been based at Faslane, the home of the UK Submarine Service.
Known as Operation Relentless, it is the longest sustained military operation ever undertaken by the UK.
Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, said: “For 50 years our submarine-borne nuclear deterrent has provided the ultimate guarantee of our nation’s security and to this day remains the first priority for the whole of defence.
“The Royal Navy’s unbroken track record of continuous at sea deterrence for the last half a century is a source of enormous pride for the service, and is testament to the skill, professionalism and commitment of the whole defence enterprise behind this remarkable national endeavour, especially the submariners and their families who have sacrificed so much over the years in defence of our country.”
The Princess Royal presented awards to military and civilian staff, including Gold Deterrent Patrol Pins – given to those who have completed 20 or more deterrent patrols – and HM Naval Base Clyde Long Service Pins – for those completing 30 years’ service at the base..
Chief Petty Officer Karl Davies, who received a Gold Deterrent Patrol Pin for 20 deterrent patrols, who said he was ‘extremely proud’.
“This gold pin recognises not only my personal achievement but the support I have been given by my family and friends,” he added.
“Knowing that I have their full support has enabled me to deliver my role throughout my career.”
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