PO WEM (O) Spiller (Nathan) and L PERS Aston (Nikki), both from Tenby, are currently serving on board HMS Cornwall, a Type 22 Batch 3 Frigate.

She is one of four ships of the class and is armed with a full outfit of weapons, ranging from a 4.5 inch gun to anti air and ship missile systems, as well as close range automatic weapon systems.

Nathan from Upper Hill Park (who celebrated his 20th year in the Royal Navy on September 18) and Nikki from Harding Street have been away from UK waters since mid-April.

In that time, all the ship's weapon systems were tested as a pre-requisite for deployment, off the coast of Plymouth.

Nathan is the Aft Seawolf anti-air missile system maintainer and managed to successfully fire two missiles Aft and one for the Fwd system.

After a quick re-fuel, and stores top up, HMS Cornwall officially deployed to the Mediterranean to take over a NATO task group.

The first stop on the way was Brest, France, where the ship caught up with the NATO task group and the Type 23 Frigate St. Albans that the Cornwall was relieving.

This was the official handover from the Italians, and took charge of SNMG2 (standing naval maritime group two).

Unfortunately, it was not the Mediterranean straightaway, as there was work to do as part of naval tasking off the coast of Scotland, where the task group took part in a yearly naval exercise and also training in boarding and counter-piracy operations.

The next stop was Lisbon, Portugal, and finally sunshine and the Med. The ship's company had a well-deserved run ashore after the exercise and to recharge batteries for the tasking ahead, with rumours abound that their tasking might change at short notice.

On leaving Lisbon, it was confirmed that SNMG2 was to be re-tasked and was to be directed through the Suez Canal to the Horne of Africa to conduct anti-piracy operations.

On the way through the Med, the ship stopped off in Souda, Crete, to re-fuel and embark a detachment of Royal Marines, and the Commodore and his staff.

As the ship was there embarking extra stores, it was a good opportunity for the ship's company to take some R&R in Malia.

HMS Cornwall also met up with one of her sister ships, HMS Cumberland, which even though not part of SNMG2, is also on patrol against the pirates as part of UK tasking, rather than NATO tasking.

This is also when Nathan returned to Tenby for the birth of daughter number two.

The task group then sailed through the Suez Canal and started anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.

In between operations, the ship had port visits to Djibouti, Africa and Salalah, Oman.

Then back on patrol, everyone was looking forward to a two-week stop off in Dubai in the UAE. This is when the ship not only has a stand-off from patrol, but has a maintenance period, as whilst at sea, some things cannot be turned off for any length of time. There was also an opportunity for the ship's company to fly out their loved ones for a holiday and take some leave.

Nathan flew to Dubai after the birth of Thea and managed to see the sights and sounds before sailing again and back on patrol.

Said Nikki: "After being deployed since April on anti-piracy operations, I have worked more behind the scenes in the ship's office making sure all the sailors are getting paid and recording the narrative on the bridge during piracy boardings.

"My draft on HMS Cornwall is coming to an end and I am looking forward to flying back home from the Seychelles to see my family and friends in Tenby."

The ship is now currently 22 days into a 30-day stretch at sea before the next stop in Mombasa, Kenya, where there will be opportunities to go on safari and diving expeditions, as well as other sports.

The ship will also take the opportunity to play the locals at rugby and football, as well as offering the ship's company time to do some work in the local orphanage.

The ship is due back to the UK in December for some well-earned Christmas leave. Although the crew are not looking forward to the weather, as it is ranging from a cool 30 to 35 degrees at the moment.