BRITAIN’S flagship and her biggest warship will both be used to provide a shield of security for next year’s Olympics.

HMS Ocean will be moored at Greenwich as a helicopter base for Lynx and Pumas, while assault ship HMS Bulwark will be in Weymouth Bay for the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics as a floating command centre for protecting sailing events.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond today announced widespread military involvement in security arrangements for next year’s sporting spectacular which will see up to 13,500 personnel involved at its peak.

Mr Hammond told MPs that although the police would be in overall charge of security arrangement, the Government had agreed that the Armed Forces should provide significant support from participation in ceremonial events and logistical assistance to wide-ranging security duties.

To that end, the Forces involvement in the Games includes:

• 5,000 personnel supporting the police and other civilian authorities such as bomb disposal teams, military working dogs and RN support to maritime policing;
• 1,000-strong unarmed ‘contingency force’ to be deployed in the event of a civil emergency during the Games;
• 1,000 personnel providing logistical support
• up to 7,500 personnel providing venue security
• up to four dozen Naval personnel representing the Senior Service as flag bearer parties at opening and closing ceremonies, plus medal presentations
• HMS Ocean will be moored on the Thames at Greenwich to provide accommodation and logistical support while her flight deck will accommodate RAF Pumas and Army and Fleet Air Arm Lynx which will work with RAF Typhoon jets, based temporarily at RAF Northolt, to provide airspace security;
• flagship HMS Bulwark off Weymouth will provide a maritime command centre for the security effort. She’ll also be used by helicopters and as a base for small boats.