Commanding Officer posted 07.06.10

Lieutenant Commander Andy Lamb Royal Navy

Lieutenant Commander Andy Lamb joined the Mine Counter Measures Squadron 1 in Jul 08.  As the Commanding Officer of HMS Pembroke he is tasked with contributing to maritime security and more specifically, with keeping key strategic ports and sea lines of communication free from the threat of mining.

Born in Scotland in 1971 he joined the Royal Navy as a Warfare Officer in 1989.  After a period of training during a global deployment in the destroyer HMS Bristol, he went on to serve as a Midshipman onboard the Patrol Vessel HMS Plover in Hong Kong and then completed training in the Frigate HMS Boxer.  He joined the Fishery Protection Squadron as Navigating Officer of the Ton Class minesweeper HMS Sheraton and in 1992 served in the frigate HMS Sheffield, patrolling the Adriatic Sea in support of peace keeping operations in Former Yugoslavia.  Remaining in Frigates, he became the Signal Communications Officer in HMS Argyll followed by an appointment as Navigating Officer of HMS Coventry that included operations in the Arabian Gulf and as part of NATO in the Mediterranean. 

In 2001-2002 he commanded the Patrol Boat HMS Trumpeter in Gibraltar undertaking a variety of maritime security, support and Search and Rescue roles including the force protection of vessels transiting the Straits of Gibraltar following the terrorist attacks of 11 Sep.  Returning from Gibraltar he completed Principal Warfare Officer (Above Water Warfare) training where he won the Commodore’s Warfare Prize.  As Gunnery and Operations Officer in HMS Kent, he deployed as part of NATO contributing to Operation Active Endeavour where the ship assisted with security for the Greek Olympics of 2004.

He has completed four staff appointments.  During 1996-1997 as Flag Lieutenant to the Commander of the United Kingdom Task Group, which included a NATO role as Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Strike Force, he was the Admiral’s mobile staff officer.   This period included operations around the world and culminated in a large Task Force global deployment including the handover of Hong Kong sovereignty to China.  In 1999 as a Staff Navigator to Commodore Mine Warfare, Diving, Fishery Protection and Patrol Boats, he helped train and mentor the squadron’s navigating officers.  He later returned to battle staff operations and spent 2 years with the Royal Marines as a plans officer to the Commander of the UK Amphibious Forces.  This period included a tour as Chief of Staff in the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he was awarded a Commander in Chief Fleet Commendation.  Most recently Lt Cdr Lamb worked amongst media and information operations and assisted with planning a multi-national joint exercise on the staff of the Joint Maritime Operational Training Staff.
 
Andy Lamb, his wife and two young boys live in Portsmouth.