Sarah West To Become First Woman To Command Major Royal Navy Warship

LONDON -- The first woman to command a major Royal Navy warship is taking up her post.

Britain's Ministry of Defense says Commander Sarah West will take control of the frigate HMS Portland Tuesday.

The 40-year-old has served in the Royal Navy for 16 years.

The ship is being refitted and will be based in Devonport.

Officials say women first went to sea with the Royal Navy in 1990 and have served as pilots and mine clearance divers in addition to other posts.

Comments

[Henry Davis]

01:49 PM on 05/25/2012

Well done. I wish the very best in your carrer.

[Opus Fideo]

07:50 PM on 05/23/2012

She can sink my battleship anyday

[chaya]

05:22 PM on 05/23/2012

Wrong. Captain Kathryn Janeway was the first.

Okay, it won't be until 2371. But we HEARD all about it in the 90's. ;)

[loutrerouge]

05:45 AM on 05/24/2012

The captain of the Enterprise C was a woman and that predates Voyager by decades in Trek chronology. Sad that i know that, but I am female Trekkie..

[krayonc]

11:59 AM on 05/23/2012

"Commander Sarah West"

nice...very nice....atta girl.

[sorgine]

07:55 AM on 05/23/2012

About time. Congratulations to Commander West.

[Talab]

06:57 AM on 05/23/2012

Congrats Capt. Janeway ..er West

[Robyn Harper]

02:55 AM on 05/23/2012

Congratulations to Sarah on her post!
I just love a woman in uniform :)

[Quanta]

10:12 PM on 05/22/2012

I had to check Wiki to see whether any female US Navy officers have commanded warships. It appears we are actually ahead of the Brits on this on. 1998 for first woman to command a USN combat ship.

[John Wampler]

05:03 PM on 05/22/2012

Not only are the British female officers better looking than their US counterparts, British sailors get to enjoy a ration of beer each day.

[jim jim jones]

05:38 PM on 05/22/2012

The Royal Navy RUM ration was sopped in the late 1970's...

All Alcohol is taboo on Royal Navy Vessels.....

[CDRUSNret]

06:16 PM on 05/22/2012

You need to get out more. There some babes wearing US Navy uniforms.

[CDRUSNret]

10:09 PM on 05/22/2012

Should have been "there are" vice "there"....extra large martini before din is my excuse....

[bigcatttdaddy]

04:54 PM on 05/22/2012

She is a hottie!

[mcpackerfan]

04:36 PM on 05/22/2012

Cool Brit Woman...Congratulations!

[duey35]

03:55 PM on 05/22/2012

HMS frigate. 20 degress to Port, no Starboard, Oh heck just turn left...... No No No, my other left.

[Garioch]

01:17 PM on 05/23/2012

Sexist.... but I laughed, sorry womankind.

[Gordon Hopkins]

03:29 PM on 05/22/2012

About time ! Trust Lord Nelson isn't spinning on his "top'. Rule Britannia !

[fecoyle]

03:14 PM on 05/22/2012

More PC BS

[mo524]

04:47 PM on 05/22/2012

Aww sounds like somone never got to comman a warship you mad bro?

[screwitall]

03:02 PM on 05/22/2012

Maybe the good old boys will take a hint about the unfair gender gap in our military.Way to go Sarah !

[CDRUSNret]

06:17 PM on 05/22/2012

Time has passed you by. We have had many female COs of US warships.

[screwitall]

07:18 PM on 05/22/2012

Being passed by time,you may be correct. Must admit I was totally unaware,not much into war machines.

[CDRUSNret]

06:30 PM on 05/22/2012

Since there are no pending comments remaining in the queue....I'll try my controversial post again:

Time has passed you by....there have been several female COs of US warships....and many more COs of non-combattants, shore facilities, and squadrons.

[screwitall]

07:14 PM on 05/22/2012

:controversial post" not to me I was unaware of your info.always good to learn something new.