2023 Surface Flotilla Excellence Awards

29 Nov 2023 - Congratulations to the Mine & Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG)’s Faslane-based Mission System Team 3 (MST 3) on being awarded this year’s Naval Capability Trophy in the 2023 Surface Flotilla Excellence Awards, formerly known as the Fleet Effectiveness/Efficiency Awards. According to this article on the Royal Navy website:

“Perhaps better known under the banner of Project Wilton – replacing existing minehunters with a combination for crewed, remotely-operated and autonomous systems – MST3 have been in the vanguard of future mine warfare, demonstrating “unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and outstanding motivation” to not merely enhance operational capability but also reshape the Royal Navy's approach to their specialist branch of naval warfare.

Above all the team have demonstrated not only that they can perform missions carried out by Sandown and Hunt-class mine countermeasures ships, but they can outperform their traditional counterparts.

MST3 is one of more than 20 ships, units, teams and individuals singled out in the Surflot Excellence Awards (in the past also known as the Fleet Efficiency Awards) for their contributions to naval operations, security and effectiveness above the waves.

In addition to bragging rights with other ships and units, the title grants the winners permission to fly a blue and white pennant featuring hippocampi, mythical seahorses and the symbol of the Surface Fleet.”

Congratulations are also due to Faslane-based MTXG (formerly MCM1) Crew 1 on being awarded the Mine Countermeasures Trophy (The Jim Acton Trophy). Commiserations to Portsmouth-based MCM2 Crew 6 on being runners-up.

Also, congratulations to Diving & Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG)’s Portsmouth-based Alpha Squadron on being awarded the Fleet Diving Unit Trophy. Commiserations to Portsmouth-based MCM2 Crew 5 on being runners-up.

Commiserations to Portsmouth-based MCM2 Crew 6, too, on being runners-up for the Engineering Trophy.