Dragon shows off its flare for fireworks

AS fireworks displays go, it may not quite be up there with the explosive power of Edinburgh’s annual Hogmanay extravaganza.

But you can’t take it away from HMS Dragon – it can breathe its own fire when it wants to.

This dramatic photograph shows decoy flares being fired from the warship’s Lynx helicopter as it flew over the Clyde-built Type 45 destroyer.

The image of one of the Royal Navy’s latest, and most powerful, warships was captured by Navy photographer David Jenkins as the Portsmouth-based destroyer sailed through the eastern Mediterranean on its way back from the Gulf.

The photographer said: ‘The images were as a result of some careful planning and good fortune.

‘What is rewarding for me is that the crew are pleased with the picture because it represents the capability that HMS Dragon delivers on a daily basis.’ Lieutenant Commander Andy Bray, HMS Dragon’s logistics officer, said: ‘It has been impressive to see all of the team pull together to help support HMS Dragon on operations.

‘Working together has meant we can stay at sea, on task, for longer.’