Haven’t seen much in the UK press about the buildup of British forces in the seas around Libya…except for HMS Cumberland and the obvious jibes about her imminent scrapping.

However locally there are signs of more activity than that. Yesterday and for the third time within the space of a week, Gibraltar’s military base has played a logistical role in the military buildup with RFA Argus sailing east through the Straits.

The picture right is of a Merlin helicopter from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship landing yesterday to pick up equipment and navy personnel.

This follows Royal Navy destroyer HMS York sailing from Gibraltar last Thursday evening. She made an unexpected stop here to pick up supplies and personnel before sailing east. York was originally bound for a six-month deployment in the South Atlantic but was diverted for a week to deliver medical supplies provided by Sweden to Benghazi..

The Type 23 frigate, HMS Westminster, arrived in the Naval Base at 2 am yesterday to collect fuel and stores (pictured left whilst alongside yesterday). In addition to the more usual naval items, extra medical stores plus blankets and sheets were loaded onboard. When she left later in the morning, she sailed to the eastern Mediterranean to relieve HMS York on station, and York will now sail for her original task as the Atlantic Patrol (South).

So…much as the press may be pushing a story of no action…that’s not what’s happening outside my window.