Firebolt service

In February 2003, Firebolt deployed to Bahrain to operate in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While there, it rotated crews so that it could remain on station without returning home for leave. In February 2004, the Firebolt collided with a navigational buoy off the coast of Iraq. The subsequent inquiry board into the incident led to the removal of Lieutenant Commander Michael T. Sullivan from command.

On 24 April 2004, Firebolt's rigid-hulled inflatable boat attempted a boarding operation on a dhow that was approaching the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in Iraq. As the boarding team of seven pulled alongside, the dhow exploded in an apparent suicide bombing. Two sailors, Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Pernaselli, 27, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher E. Watts, 28, and one Coast Guardsman, Petty Officer Third Class Nathan Bruckenthal, 24, were killed when the explosion flipped the boat over, dumping its crew into the water. Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guardsman to die in action since the Vietnam War. The survivors were picked up by an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter from the Australian frigate HMAS Stuart.

Brecon Service

Brecon was built at Vosper Thornycroft, the lead yard for the Hunt Class. She was launched by the Duchess of Kent and commissioned on 18 December 1979. Brecon saw service just after the Falklands War (1982) and the Gulf War (1991). In 1998 she was assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron. She acted as guardship to the tall ships race when it visited Greenock in 1999.

Brecon was the first Royal Navy vessel to be commanded by a woman. Lieutenant Charlotte Atkinson became commanding officer of HMS Brecon in January 2004. "Charlie" was the only woman among the 45-strong crew of the ship. Her historic appointment came 14 years after the Royal Navy first began admitting female officers on equal terms with men.

Brecon's assignment to the Northern Ireland Squadron required modifications from her traditional minesweeping duties to become a fully capable patrol platform. This included the addition of Rigid Inflatable boats and embarkation of a 10-strong Royal Marine boarding team.