‘A year that has tested and challenged the city and naval base’

A message from Portsmouth Naval Base Commander COMMODORE JJ BAILEY

2020 has certainly not been the year that we expected, but instead a year that has tested and challenged the city and the naval base in ways we could not have imagined.

I am immensely proud of how we have adapted, how we have worked together: every person who works within, or in support of Portsmouth Naval Base, has enabled us to achieve so much this year, despite all Covid has brought.

Beyond keeping the harbour open and operational, we have continued to deliver our operational outputs on behalf of the nation, supporting ships in getting to sea, sustaining at sea and in coming home, including those of our allies operating in support of UK partnerships.

None of this would have been possible without our partners across defence, including BAE Systems, who have helped us to deliver a safe and secure naval base for our people, community, city and nation throughout it all.

We have delivered on the challenge of being the home of two world-class aircraft carriers, mounted operations and group exercises and kept people safe at sea.

And from the naval base we have provided support to Covid response taskings in the local area, including at testing centres across the city, and supported those members of the Defence Joint Hospital Group where our military medics have been working on the new ‘frontline’ of Covid wards in the city’s hospitals.

The support of the local community and the dedicated people that make up Team Portsmouth have truly proven to be the backbone of the naval base throughout this year, as indeed they always have been.

I believe the way in which we have faced the challenges of 2020, and continued to deliver in the face of adversity, demonstrates true Portsmouth spirit and the close and critical relationship between the naval base and the city.