Royal Navy’s HMS Albion and a contingent of Royal Marines placed on red alert over Iran crisis
ROYAL Navy flagship HMS Albion plus elite Royal Marines have been placed on red alert to steam into the Iran crisis.
Insiders confirmed the amphibious assault ships’ crew – plus crack Commandos – are now on a six-hour notice to sail.
And another warship, Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dragon has also been placed on high readiness, to escort vast HMS Albion if she’s deployed. Insiders said the warships would help a mass evacuation of Brits if war breaks out.
The Navy’s new “notice to move” orders for both ships came hours after Iran fired 22 rockets at US bases in Iraq in revenge for the death of General Qasem Soleimani.
Leave for both crews has also been restricted as fevered preparations are made to react to further Iranian retaliation.
Insiders said two more Royal Navy ships had been warned they too might be hurled into the fray, but have not yet been placed at high readiness.
An MoD spokesperson, said: “Defence has changed the readiness of certain units to assist if the need arises.
“This is part of prudent planning in order to ensure the safety of UK citizens and Armed Forces personnel.”
Naval Top Brass already have Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender and Type 23 Frigate HMS Montrose in the region. If the deployments go ahead it would double the Navy’s presence in the region.
An insider said: “This shows how serious it’s getting – there is relentless planning going on and people are expecting to go.
“The stakes could not be higher.” The ships would be sent in a non-combat mission, sources stressed.
The Royal Australian Navy have deployed a similar vessel, HMAS Adelaide to help during the catastrophic bush fire crisis.
And last December HMS Albion – which is 176 meters long and can carry 400 sailors and Royal Marines - drilled rescuing over 100 people in a mass evacuation.
She is described as the Royal Navy’s “Swiss army knife” – able to carry choppers, landing craft, and emergency supplies.
And now she could be drafted in in real life amid fears of Gulf War 3. Both Albion and Dragon are in the UK, but could be moved to the region in days.
Meanwhile five Chinook choppers are on high readiness to deploy to a Middle East country to help any evacuation. And an MoD team is already in Iraq to start planning for any operation to race over 400 troops home.
They are based at two hubs, one in Erbil and one at Taji, near Baghdad, where they have been training Iraqi and Peshmerga forces to fight ISIS.
Officials said no Brits at either base were injured in the onslaught overnight on Tuesday. But insiders confirmed troops had to find hard cover and put on body armour and helmets during the raid.
Meanwhile some “non-essential” personnel have been moved from their Baghdad base to other safe areas, in either Erbil or Kuwait.
News of the moves comes as tensions between the US and Iran were on a knife edge.
Ballistic missiles at two Iraq bases housing US troops early yesterday morning in Irbil and Al Asad, west of Baghdad.
Last night sources suggested the 22 rocket salvo was the response Iran had vowed for last week’s deadly drone strike on General Qasem Soleimani. But others feared it was a “feint” and another bolder strike was imminent.
No Brits were hurt in the strikes. US President Donald Trump responded by saying “All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq.
MOST READ IN UK NEWS
Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!” The strikes came hours after Soleimani’s burial.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said the attack was “a slap in the face” for the US and called for an end to the US presence in the Middle East.
Echoing him, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran’s “final answer” to Soleimani’s assassination would be to “kick all US forces out of the region”.
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].