INSIDE: DUNCAN'S HECTIC TASKING ROYAL MARINES LOOK TO FUTURE - Royal Navy
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JUNE 2019
HMS Defender fires a Sea Viper as
the Type 45 destroyer takes part in
the multinational missile defence
exercise, Formidable Shield.
(See Pages 2-3)
Picture: LPhot Pepe Hogan
INSIDE: DUNCAN’S HECTIC TASKING ROYAL MARINES LOOK TO FUTURE Off-sale date: June 30 2019
£3.20
Formidable firepower
A CLOUD of smoke engulfs HMS Defender as missiles throughout the ten-day exercise. subsonic, supersonic,
she tests her main weapons system. A number of national firsts were recorded, and ballistic targets.
The Type 45 destroyer launched a Sea Viper including the first engagement of a supersonic “Formidable
missile as part of Exercise Formidable Shield, target by an Aster 15 air defence missile fired Shield allowed us
off the coast of Scotland. from the French frigate Bretagne and the to train together as
Travelling at four times the speed of sound, Royal Canadian Navy successfully engaging a multinational force
the 450kg Aster 30 missile was launched from a supersonic target with an Evolved Sea to provide capable,
the Portsmouth ship before obliterating a Sparrow Missile. credible deterrence against
Firejet drone target designed to simulate a Equipped with a Wildcat helicopter aggression,” said US Navy Capt.
projectile attack on Defender. from Yeovilton-based 815 Naval Air Shanti Sethi, commodore of
The drone was 11ft in length, can fly Squadron, state-of-the-art Sampson Combined Task Group – Integrated
between 20ft and 35,000ft, and can reach radar and the Sea Viper missile system, Air and Missile Defense (CTG-IAMD).
speeds of 530mph. Defender was ready to work alongside “There is no substitute for actually
This is the first time Defender has taken nine other countries at the Hebrides operating together to integrate our
on that particular target – one that is more Range in Scotland. defences against real targets in the air
challenging as it flies faster and lower than Led by the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet from and space.”
others before it. STRIKEFORNATO CTF 64 in Naples, Italy, Guided missile destroyer USS Carney
Senior Warfare Officer Lieutenant Commander the exercise was the largest of its type with conducted simultaneous defensive scenarios
Daniel Lee said: “Being able to be part of Defender’s 13 ships, more than ten aircraft and more than by firing a Standard Missile (SM)-2 while
regeneration, culminating in the first In-Service 3,300 personnel taking part. tracking targets.
firing against a fast-moving, low-level target has Lieutenant Commander Ben Shirley, HMS The USS Roosevelt conducted a SM-3 firing
been a rewarding experience. Defender’s Weapon Engineer Officer, said: with a simulated ballistic missile target while
“Proving the effectiveness of the Sea Viper system “Maintaining our relationships and working with concurrently engaging Hebrides Range-launched
against a more challenging target reassures us in the other nations is vital to the defence of our coastline. Firejets with SM-2 missiles.
ability of Defender to deliver on operations as an “Operating with NATO, with a number of other US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the
Area Air Defence Destroyer.” nations, has given us a fantastic opportunity to 480th Fighter Squadron in Spangdahlem, Germany,
Sea Viper is the combination of the Sampson witness other nations’ missile defence systems. were designated as “opposition forces” and fired
radar system — the distinctive spinning spiked ball “It has also given us the ability to better supersonic AQM-37D aerial targets during several
on top of a Type 45 destroyer’s main mast — and the understand how well our own systems perform in a exercise scenarios.
Aster missile system in a silo on the forecastle. variety of conditions against a variety of targets.”
The system tracks aircraft and other objects across Joining Defender for the exercise were ships from
thousands of miles of airspace, identifies threats, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, KEEP UP WITH THE SHIP
and destroys them when necessary. Norway, Spain, and the United States.
These were all put to the test during Formidable They participated in more than a dozen successful Follow @HMSDefender and
Shield with almost every nation involved firing live-fire and simulated engagements against @RoyalNavy on Twitter
Pictures: LPhot Pepe Hogan, FRPU North
Training or on patrol around the UK
HMS Sutherland HMS Magpie
HMS Northumberland RFA Tideforce
HMS St Albans RFA Tidesurge
HMS Forth 814 NAS
HMS Trent 846 NAS
HMS Tracker
HMS Westminster HMS Ramsey
Northern Diving Group
HMS Defender
17(R) TES
NATO ACT HMS Echo
45 CDO RFA Mounts Bay HMS Duncan
FASLANE
ROSYTH 211 Flight
HMS Queen Elizabeth Gibraltar Squadron
43 CDO
UKMCC
NSF Bahrain
HMS Gannet COMUKMCMFOR
HMS Montrose
HMS Brocklesby Naval Party 1022
1 AGRM HMS Shoreham
HMS Ledbury
HMS Blyth
1700 NAS
RFA Cardigan Bay
Naval Party 1023
Lightning Force Forward Support Unit
HMS Clyde
NEFI
40 CDO
CLR YEOVILTON
PORTSMOUTH
DEVONPORT
CULDROSE 3 CDO BDE/
42 CDO On patrol somewhere beneath the Seven Seas is one Vanguard-class submarine and an undisclosed Trafalgar or Astute-class boat
FIFTY-one years ago this month, the Royal Navy undertook the
burden of performing the nation's ultimate mission: nuclear
deterrent patrols.
It was another 12 months before round-the-clock patrols
began – today Operation Relentless, or the Continuous At Sea
Deterrence – occasion for a series of events half a century later,
Fitting tribute
Preparing to honour heroes of D-Day
keystoned by a service of recognition attended by the Duke of
Cambridge and 2,000 serving and ex-deeps, plus family members
(see page 9).
Once upon a time, submariners were viewed as no better as
pirates – a tag they turned on its head by flying the Jolly Roger
to celebrate success in battle... and now celebrated with an To focus on the beach landings to France.
exhibition in Portsmouth (see page 32). alone though would underplay the Sustained by a logistics chain that
HMS Defender provided fire, fury and (most importantly) complexity of the task that faced stretched back across that same narrow
accuracy to NATO's missile defence exercise Formidable Shield Ramsay’s fleet. stretch of sea, the Allied forces began
2019 off the Hebrides with a Sea Viper 'kill' (see pages 1-3). Minesweepers forging a path ahead their fight towards victory in Europe.
And her sister Duncan has been exceptionally busy in the AT 0400 on June 5 1944, General of the main assault force; mighty Mounting an operation on the
Mediterranean region on national and NATO duties (see pages Eisenhower, Supreme Commander battleships bringing their 15in guns scale of Neptune drew on every port,
19-21). Allied Expeditionary Forces Europe, to bear to bombard enemy shore harbour and inlet from Cornwall to
Also on NATO duties are around 70 RN/RM personnel at the made the “final and irrevocable” batteries; scores of warships screening Kent.
Allied Command Transformation Headquarters. We focus on life decision to land the forces under his the main assault force on all sides from As for the initial assault force, while
in Norfolk, Virginia, in the latest of our series on the alliance's command in Normandy on June 6, now submarine, shipborne or air attack. our American allies destined for Utah
70th anniversary (see pages 14-15). known to all of us as D-Day. All of these elements and many and Omaha beaches mounted their
Frigate HMS Northumberland became the latest RN warship So began Operation Neptune, the more besides were vital to support initial assault forces in Dorset and
to keep an eye on the Russian bear, in the form of Udaloy-class codename for the assault phase of the armada of specialist amphibious Devon, it was in the waters around
destroyer Severomorsk passing the UK (see opposite). Operation Overlord which would shipping – and plenty of non- the Solent that the majority of British
211 Wildcat Flight are fully prepared for the 'war on drugs' ultimately lead to the liberation of specialist craft too – that delivered the and Canadian assault convoys destined
after a fortnight's training with the US Coast Guard in Florida North-West Europe. unprecedented force of men, vehicles for Juno, Gold and Sword beaches
before they join RFA Mounts Bay (see page 6). The naval component of Operation and stores from our shores to those on that fateful day were loaded and
It's been a busy month for 1 Assault Group RM who've been Neptune, under the command of the French beaches. assembled.
looking to the past (comparing amphibious operations then and Allied Naval Commander Expeditionary In spite of marginal conditions, by And with that in mind, there is
now in the run-up to D-Day 75 – see page 13), present (gunnery Force, Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, midnight on June 6-7, 132,815 men had surely no more fitting a venue than
training in southwest Wales – see page 17) and the future comprised an incredible maritime force been landed from the sea to secure a Portsmouth for world leaders and
(hosting an innovation day – see page 6). They also found time totalling 1,212 Allied warships, 4,125 defensible beach head spanning all five veterans alike to gather on June 5, 75
to dispatch a training team to Kenya to teach board-and-search amphibious craft, 735 ancillary craft sectors; their foothold reaching several years after the Allied invasion force
techniques to local authorities (see page 5). and 864 merchant ships, as well as 200 miles in land. departed these shores, to reflect on the
If you think taking a dip in Gareloch is cold, then try ice diving naval aircraft. With Allied sea power securing enormity of Operation Neptune and to
in Canada. Northern Diving Group did as they joined comrades To this naval force fell the task of unfettered access to the English give thanks for the incredible bravery,
from the host nation and USA to observe the art of plunging into carrying the Allied landing forces Channel, many more troops would determination and sacrifice of all those
near-freezing waters... underneath a sheet of ice (see page 7). across the channel to assault the five follow in the coming days and by the who took part in the biggest naval and
The waters were slightly warmer for HMS Ramsey, dealing Normandy beach sectors that stretched time a month had passed, more than amphibious operation ever mounted in
with WW1/WW2 munitions dumped in the Baltic (also page 7), the length of the Seine Bay. one million men had made the crossing history.
and considerably warmer for the Gulf-based minehunters taking
part in an Anglo-Franco-American exercise, Artemis Trident
(page 7 again).
Meanwhile in Dartmouth, cadets were given a possible
glimpse of the future of minehunting when unmanned trials
boat Apollo sailed up the river to demonstrate the potential of
autonomous vehicles (see page 6).
Some of the smallest vessels on the RN's books flexed their
collective muscles in the Solent with the annual 1st Patrol Boat
Squadron Exercise involving almost every P2000 (see page 11).
And at the other end of the size scale... Some 140,000
tonnes of naval might gathered together for the first time for
combined training. Not our two new carriers, but tankers RFA
Tideforce and Tidesurge, newly-refitted one-stop supply ship
RFA Fort Victoria and aviation training/medical ship RFA Argus,
together off Plymouth (see page 10).
After several years south of the Equator, HMS Protector
came home to Plymouth (then sailed almost immediately for a
summer refit in Middlesbrough – see page 14).
Ahead of Armed Forces Day on June 29, there's a day
dedicated to the work of Reservists (cunningly called 'Reserves
Day', June 26). We showcase some of the people Churchill called
'twice a citizen' on page 18. l Canadian troops land at
And finally, it was a battle royale between Royal Marines and Juno Beach on D-Day
their USMC counterparts in a sort of marine Olympics. Who won
Virginia Gauntlet II? Turn to pages 36-37 to find out...
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royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews
4 : JUNE 2019
Frigate
switchcraft
Type 23 swaps anti-submarine
warfare for escorting duty
l Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland (foreground) escorts Russian Navy destroyer
Severomorsk through the English Channel Picture: Lt Cdr Mike Howe
ROYAL Navy warship HMS She said: “This has been a particularly
Northumberland escorted a Russian intense period for HMS Northumberland.
destroyer through the English Channel. “It is credit to the team on board that
The Devonport-based Type 23 frigate they have been able to switch from the
was activated to meet the Severomorsk, a demands of anti-submarine warfare to
Udaloy-class guided missile destroyer. conduct escorting duties through home
The Russian ship passed waters with such ease.
through the English Channel on “This is normal business for the
the way back to her home port Royal Navy, being prepared at all
of Severomorsk, in Northern times to respond to any foreign
Russia, after operations in the warships in the UK’s area of
Mediterranean. interest.”
HMS Northumberland is one As a high-readiness unit,
of the Royal Navy’s ships kept HMS Northumberland may be
at high readiness to protect the called upon at any time to help
integrity of UK waters. prevent arms trafficking, people
Before shadowing the Russian smuggling, conduct counter-
vessel, the ship had been honing terrorism operations, maritime search
her submarine-hunting skills in the and rescue, or escort duties.
waters off the UK. She is equipped with a Merlin
Commander Ally Pollard, HMS helicopter of Culdrose-based 814 Naval
Northumberland’s Commanding Officer, Air Squadron, state-of-the-art radar and
praised her ship’s company for their the Royal Navy’s new Sea Ceptor missile
efforts over the past few days. system.
Marines share expertise
ROYAL Marines have been The group sought to variety of Kenyan agencies came
showing Kenyan security forces understand the current situation to train and learn how to conduct
how to improve their ability to that is impacting Kenya’s economy success board and search of
fight piracy, illegal fishing and and create a coherent strategy for suspicious vessels.
drugs trafficking in the Western the future as they look to shore The first part of the training
Indian Ocean. up security in the Indian Ocean consisted of classroom-based
Specialists from 1 Assault port. sessions on board-and-search
Group Royal Marines’ Board & That, along with the first operations at sea.
Search School and troops from 43 steps of training, meant Kenyan Then, phase two saw
Commando’s landing craftsmen security forces are now becoming coastguard, police and port
travelled to Mombasa, Kenya’s better equipped to deal with the authority teams work together to
second-largest city and one of threats they face and have a clear put into practice their new skills
Africa’s biggest trading hubs, plan to continue protecting their at sea.
to deliver training and share waters. The training included an
expertise. The majority of Kenyan trade opening and closing ceremony
The contingent, made up of comes through the city of attended by high-ranking
Royal Marines and Royal Navy Mombasa and there is a strong dignitaries, which included
ranks, were part of the Tri-Service belief in the country that a lack of a demonstration of the skills
British Peace Support Team, an proper policing of home waters learned during the sessions.
organisation that aims to aid robs the country of wealth and A further training package is
United Nations and African Union prosperity. now being arranged later this
Peace Support Operations. Around 30 personnel from a year.
royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews JUNE 2019 : 5
Wildcat
fights with
Iron Eagle
YOU can go fast in a Go-Fast
but you can’t go Wildcat fast...
815 NAS aviators catch
up with ‘drug-runners’ in
speedboats off Florida as they
prepare to do the job for real.
211 Flight chased
down US Coast
Guard personnel
Autonomy, autonomy, they've all got autonomy...
playing the role
of traffickers
in waters off
Jacksonville as
they tried to
outwit – and MAKING its way up the Dart estuary develop a system to keep ‘the man out of The trials team took a break from those a human operator anywhere within a
outrun – the past sights sailors have known for decades the minefield’. tests to head up the Dart and demonstrate minefield”.
British helicopter and centuries, is this the future of mine The next step up from Halcyon is Apollo to cadets from Britannia Royal Not only can Apollo be programmed
(top speed 190mph). warfare? USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) Apollo, Naval College at Sandquay in the shadow to search for mines in a specific patch
The Coast Guard use a When the current generation of mine demonstrated by defence firm Thales to of training ship Hindostan… previously of water – and neutralise any explosive
‘tactical training boat’ which countermeasures vessels – Hunt and the Royal Navy’s leaders of tomorrow. Sandown-class minehunter HMS Cromer. devices it finds in that stretch – but it is
possesses the characteristics Sandown-class ships – are eventually The company has turned part of the She was designed in the mid-to-late- designed to avoid obstacles or other vessels
(chiefly size, speed and retired, they are more than likely to be Royal Marines’ old 539 Assault Squadron 80s and was, metre for metre, the most operating in the same waters.
manoeuvrability) of the ‘go-fast’ replaced by partially-crewed or fully- base at Turnchapel in Plymouth into a expensive warship in the world. Lieutenant Commander Scott Hamer,
boats employed in the illegal automated craft. maritime technology centre for developing Three decades later and former RN one of the staff at BRNC, said: “The group
narcotics trade to move drugs The RN’s technology trials teams have unmanned boats and submersibles. clearance diving officer John Hunnibell, of budding warfare officers appreciated the
from South to North America. already been working with Halcyon, a Apollo is conducting trials off the Devon who’s now trials manager for Thales at chance to have a look at Apollo and get a
The helicopter and the air 12-metre-long unmanned trials boat which coast, involving trailing its minehunting Turnchapel, explained that Apollo was glimpse of the new technology that they
and ground crew supporting can launch and recover small submersibles sonar array – the bright yellow torpedo- the “the first of a kind” of vessels “capable will possibly work on during their time in
it will soon join RFA Mounts to find and destroy mines as part of a esque device stored aft – through the of detecting, classifying and disposing of the Royal Navy.”
Bay, the British support ship on £117m joint project with the French to Channel. mines and bombs at sea – without having Picture: Courtesy of Thales
Reality for Royals?
a three-year deployment to the
Caribbean.
The vessel dedicates roughly
three quarters of the year to
joining the international struggle
against drug-running and
the rest of her time on stand-
by to respond to hurricanes
devastating communities in the
region.
Last year 207 Flight scored
three busts, stopping drugs with
street value in excess of £114m
reaching their destinations.
And over the winter, with
Marines test how new tech could help on future ops
a US Coast Guard helicopter
embarked, Mounts Bay has ROYAL Marines have been looking
helped to stop the flow of some to the future at new ways in which
drugs, with traffickers ditching they might be sent into battle.
their cargos in the Caribbean Amphibious assault specialists,
when sighted. Plymouth-based 1 Assault Group Royal
The Coast Guard team at Marines (1AGRM), brought emerging
Jacksonville are regarded as the civilian technologies to their RM Tamar
world leaders in ‘airborne use of base in Devonport Dockyard for an
force’ to stop traffickers in their innovation day.
tracks. The idea was to study and think about
The fortnight’s training for the how new tech can be brought to the
28 British personnel – Exercise battlefield.
Iron Eagle – ended with Wildcat It allowed the coxswains and operators
working with a Coast Guard of 1AGRM’s raiding craft the opportunity
Law Enforcement Detachment to open their minds further to future
Team (the legal authorities for developments, using augmented and
busts in the Caribbean). virtual reality kit, as well as the chance to
“This training in Florida is question how unmanned systems can help
invaluable as it allows the crew them on operations.
to fly in theatre conditions As those on the frontline, the Royal
against something similar to the Marines are looking to their commandos
boats we can expect to meet. to give direction and share ideas as to how
We’re now looking forward to they could operate in the future.
going down range and doing the “This has been about exploring how
dance with the bad guys,” said we can take surface manoeuvre forward
Lieutenant Lee Holborn, the and all the different technologies that are
Flight’s Commander. out there,” said 1AGRM’s Commanding
“Wildcats from 815 NAS are Officer, Colonel Chris Haw.
key players in the war on drugs, “It’s not something we can specifically
feared by the drugs runners use today but something that has potential
– when they see to be employed in the future.”
us in the sky and New assault ships are being considered
know their time by the naval service, which would form the
smuggling drugs backbone of a littoral strike group, a force
is shortly to be made up of different elements of the Royal
over.” Navy fleet and the future commando force.
His flight will Those potential new developments are
spend seven- entwined in how 1AGRM are trying to
and-a-half months think about how they work.
aboard Mounts Bay, Plymouth and Birmingham University
which has spent the past few gave presentations on autonomous They welcomed ex-Royal Marines in conventional defence is looking at “These guys are the users and the
weeks in Charleston undergoing vehicles and augmented and virtual reality Reservist Richard Browning – nicknamed it,” said 539 Assault Squadron Officer subject matter experts and it’s their advice
post-winter maintenance respectively, while the Royal Navy’s DARE the ‘real-life Iron Man’ – and his Gravity jet Commanding, Major Matt Baylis. that ultimately we as middle management
in preparation for her third Innovation Team were also in attendance. suits to demonstrate some of the aviation “In terms of coming up with innovative can turn to make these things happen.”
hurricane season in a row. Augmented and virtual reality may technology currently in development. ideas … if you’re a rifleman, there are Col Haw added: “I think it’s really
As well as Wildcat, a specialist potentially be important in 1AGRM’s Amphibious vehicle experts, Gibbs regiments of riflemen, if you’re a signaller, important we get people thinking along the
team of Royal Marines and teaching role – the unit are specialists in Amphibians, put on a demo with one there are companies of signallers, but if right lines but we also get the innovations
soldiers are also about to join the training for small boat operations – and of their high-speed craft, the 140bhp you’re a coxswain with commando skills, ideas primarily from the guys bottom-up,
auxiliary as her Humanitarian this was a chance to see how that could Quadski, which can reach up to 45mph on there’s only place for you and that’s here so the operators, the guys that are doing
and Disaster Relief Troop, work. sea or land. at 1AGRM. the coxswaining in the difficult conditions.
able to repair basic amenities, As part of the day’s demonstrations, the The company also brought their four- “But that commando with his coxswain “They are the guys who know how these
patch up damaged buildings, unit’s landing craft were used to launch wheel drive Humdinga – basically a large skills, he can be coming up with ideas of things can be done differently.
clear blocked roads, provide men in 1000bhp jet suits, while quadbikes pick-up truck – which can reach speeds of jet packs, quadbikes that turn into jet skis. “This is designed for people to open
security and reassurance… and that transform into jet skis showed possible up to 30mph in the water and 80mph on “It could be getting that across the their minds about what’s out there and
a little muscle… to badly-hit ways in which Royal Marines can quickly land. digital pipeline from the frontline back how they might do things differently in
communities in response to acts get from sea to land and into the heart of “This area that 1AGRM focuses to a virtual, augmented or mixed reality the future as we develop into the future
of God. combat. on in surface manoeuvre, no one else command centre back here at 1AGRM. commando force.”
royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews
6 : JUNE 2019
Glasgow begins
Diving to take shape
THIS is the first of the Navy’s next-generation
frigates, gradually taking shape in a huge shed on
into the
the Clyde.
This is HMS Glasgow, the lead ship in the new
City-class, successor to the workhorse of today’s
Fleet, the Duke-class Type 23 frigates.
Eight of these Type 26 ships will replace the
‘souped-up’ submarine-hunting variant of the
23s (those equipped with Sonar 2187 – the towed
array streamed from the quarterdeck) from the
freezer
middle of next decade. (The five general purpose
23s, such as HMS Montrose, will be superseded
by the Type 31e frigate which is still at the design
stage.)
Work has been under way on the £1.2bn
warship since mid-July 2017 at BAE Systems’
yard in Govan. She’ll comprise more than 60
blocks in her finished form, with all but half a
dozen of those giant segments in place by the end
ROYAL Navy divers and warmest of waters. Ice of next year.
joined their Canadian and diving is about as dangerous The size of the vessel and the Govan shed
American counterparts in as it gets: there is little, if any, means the ship will be pieced together in two
frozen British Columbia to visibility once under the ice, huge sections: first the forward part of the frigate,
equipment has the potential followed by the stern.
observe the dangerous art to freeze and the slightest Once the two parts are joined on the slipway
of diving under ice. imperfection in the dry suit outside the shed, the main mast and bridge
A six-strong team from such as an ill-fitting seal section will be lifted into place and the mostly-
the Northern Diving Group exposes the diver to ice-cold complete frigate will be taken downstream for
based at Faslane made the water swilling around… and fitting out at BAE’s yard on the north bank of the
12-hour/4,400-mile trip to hypothermia. Clyde at Scotstoun.
Victoria on Vancouver Island Should anything go wrong, All of which is a couple of years off. For now,
to learn about the skills, divers have to react almost Vice Admiral Chris Gardner wanted to see how far
techniques and equipment instantaneously and get to the Glasgow had progressed in his new role as Chief
needed to plunge into near- relative comfort of the diving of Materiel (Ships) at the Defence Equipment
freezing waters – with the shelter – seconds can be the and Support organisation – the arm of the MOD
surface covered by a thick layer difference between life and which oversees new projects and programmes and
of ice. death. provides engineering and technical support to
Ice diving would be a useful existing military kit.
additional string to divers’ Nearly six months before the
two-week training exercise, the “You can now stand inside a Type 26 as the
already-impressive bow, zones come together and get a real sense of HMS
especially with a resurgence in Canadians had placed several
objects on the bed of the lake Glasgow as she takes shape,” he said.
operations and training in the Three ships have been ordered from BAE:
Arctic. before the surface froze over.
It was left to the divers to Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast, while the remaining
After instruction in the five vessels in the class have been named:
theory of ice diving in the recover them using specialist
underwater navigation and Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh
classroom with the Pacific wing and finally London.
of the Canadian Fleet Diving sonar equipment, simulating
a salvage operation from a The admiral also dropped in on ‘mega Medway’
Unit, the teams headed out on – No.2 of five new RN patrol ships – which is
to a frozen lake, 1,369 metres crashed aircraft.
Which they did over four about to sail from Scotstoun on her second period
(nearly 4,500ft – or higher than of trials; all five vessels have been built in Glasgow,
Ben Nevis) above sea level. days in the near-zero waters.
As the dive sites were in four are in the water and one, HMS Forth, is in
The water itself was just Royal Navy hands.
above freezing – perhaps 1 the middle of a lake, the daily
or 2 degrees Celsius – while ‘commute’ required the use
the outside air temperature
averaged 15 degrees below
of skidoos, and the Brits had
the chance to try their hand at
snowboarding and catch an ice
Baltic waters are safer
zero.
Those conditions alone
demanded special care was
hockey match before jetting
back to the Clyde.
thanks to HMS Ramsey
taken to prepare equipment – “Despite the challenging NINE bombs, torpedoes and warheads from
and divers, who are susceptible conditions, the exercise proved the 20th Century’s conflicts cannot harm Baltic
to non-freezing cold injuries. to be extremely rewarding and fishermen and seafarers thanks to HMS Ramsey
But to get to the water, beneficial,” said Warrant Officer and her NATO allies.
chunks had to be cut in ice at 1st Class Si Crew. The Faslane-based minehunter has completed
least one metre thick – hence “We were able to draw from a fortnight looking for discarded, dumped and
the chainsaws. the Canadians’ vast amount unexploded munitions off the coast of Lithuania
Several holes were carved of ice diving experience; that, – waters which were heavily mined in both world
out, with huge blocks of ice plus the information we gained wars.
weighing more than a tonne at from observing, will make a Ramsey is one of seven ships assigned to
a time lifted out using hoists. significant contribution towards NATO’s Mine Countermeasures Group 1, a force
To protect the divers from the Royal Navy’s continued which patrols the waters of northern Europe all
the elements ice shelters – development of extreme year round, practising dealing with the latest mine
tents – were built over the cold weather diving and any threats and occasionally switching to concerted
holes as colleagues donned future ice diving capability historic missions.
thermal protection and checked requirement.” Exercise Open Spirit is an annual ‘fixture’ for
equipment thoroughly. The Faslane divers intend to the task group, focused on making the waters
Diving is dangerous even in return to Canada for the next off Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia safe. This year
the most benign of conditions ice exercise in two years’ time. the exercise concentrated its efforts off Klaipeda,
Lithuania’s principal port. Mines were used
extensively to block the Baltic in both world
wars and bombers returning from unsuccessful
Minehunters complete Anglo-French-US workout missions also dumped their payloads at sea.
Having joined the NATO group in Sweden last
month and paid a visit to Klaipeda, Ramsey sailed
ROYAL Navy minehunters helped ‘clear’ more than USS Lewis B Puller, which performs a role similar helicopter. Fully loaded, the Sea Dragon is more for two weeks of round-the-clock minehunting,
70 miles of shipping lanes in the Gulf as they worked to Cardigan Bay – but is also home to minehunting than twice as heavy as a Fleet Air Arm Merlin and with her 45-strong crew working six-hour watches
out with French and US counterparts. helicopters. is used to drag minesweeping gear through the water to ensure not a minute was lost searching for
More than 700 sailors, divers and aircrew and ten They were set the task of clearing paths for a or carry up to 30 troops into battle. unexploded munitions.
ships flexed their collective muscles in the central humanitarian aid task force to reach a disaster zone “There are many similarities between all three “Hunting for live ordnance is what we trained
Gulf for Artemis Trident, a test of the three allied through mined waters – and also potentially-mined mine countermeasures communities – from the for and Exercise Open Spirit has been a great
nations to keep shipping moving should anyone harbours. comradeship and professionalism onboard these opportunity to conduct mine warfare in a live
try to mine these busy waters which are so vital for For good measure, exercise directors threw in the small ships, to the quest to embrace emerging environment,” said HMS Ramsey’s youngest
world trade. threats of attacks on the three task forces by aircraft maritime autonomous technology,” explained sailor, mine warfare specialist Able Seaman
The three navies split their forces into three task and shipping, and tested Royal Marines in the art Commander Steven White, the Royal Navy officer in Robyn ‘Bob’ Lockwood, 20.
groups, each taking charge of one. Under Royal of fighting their way through a ship - Cardigan Bay. charge of operations aboard Cardigan Bay. Ramsey’s Navigating Officer, Lieutenant Henry
Navy control for the duration of Artemis Trident Ledbury and L’Aigle (Eagle) also made use of “Mine warfare is a complex and dangerous Kilby, 24, added “Open Spirit was a fantastic
were mother ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Cardigan Bay by ‘rafting up’ – treating her starboard business that many people do not understand. These opportunity for the Royal Navy to work closely
Ledbury, plus a US Navy minehunting team and the side as a jetty or quayside to come alongside to take exercises allow me – along with my fellow task group with our NATO allies and keep maritime trade
French ship L’Aigle. on supplies such as fuel, water, spare parts and commanders, and commanding officers of ships and routes open.”
The other RN participant in the exercise, HMS ammunition. diving units – to practise and refine our skills and Nine pieces of historic ordnance were located
Shoreham, came under French command as a They were both attached to Cardigan Bay as procedures so we are ready when called upon to do by the force over the two weeks of Open Spirit –
Marine Nationale battlestaff set up shop aboard the auxiliary’s flight deck hosted a huge MH-53E this for real.” and neutralised.
royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews JUNE 2019 : 7
Submariners’
sacrifice is
recognised
THE Duke of Cambridge led tributes as the birthdays, anniversaries, school sports days and
nation marked the sacrifices demanded of parents’ evenings than she could remember, “living
submariners and their families by the UK’s like a one-parent family” for months at a time.
She said the end of each patrol was filled with joy
longest military operation. and relief as she and the couple’s sons Donald and
The honorary head of the Royal Navy’s Callum were reunited – and above all pride.
Submarine Service joined veterans and serving “The pride I felt watching you sail home –
personnel, families, people who have built and knowing you were there,” she told the abbey of
maintained vessels – described as more complex her husband’s return. “And in our dreams and our
than the Space Shuttle – and naval and political hearts and our prayers – you were always there.”
leaders past and present in Westminster Abbey The service was conducted by the Dean of
for a ‘service of recognition’ to mark 50 years of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who
maintaining the nation’s nuclear deterrent on said in his Bidding: “For the past 50 years, Royal
unseen and unheralded patrols. Navy submariners have patrolled the oceans and
Since April 1969, one British ballistic missile seas of our world, sometimes for many months
submarine has always been on patrol – at a time, burdened with a force able to
collectively more than 350 have been engender a greater destructive power than
completed – carrying the nation’s ultimate has ever been seen on earth.
weapon as a deterrent to any foe, “Today we thank God that this
maintaining the safety and security of the continuous at sea deterrence, part of a
UK and its allies. balancing of forces between the most
It is a mission the Submarine Service powerful nations on earth, has had the
expects to perform for another half effect of maintaining peace and security
century with the UK committed to between the nations. We pray that the
replacing its existing flotilla of four Royal Navy may never be required to
Vanguard-class deterrent submarines deploy these terrible forces in war and
– all based at HM Naval Base Clyde in that they may continue to deter their use
Western Scotland – with four next-generation by others.
Dreadnought-class boats, the first of which is “We give thanks for all the thousands of people
currently under construction in Barrow. who have designed, built, supported, and crewed
And ahead of the service, the nation’s most senior the submarines during these past 50 years and for
sailor, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones, their families, and we continue to pray for the life
revealed that the fourth and final Dreadnought will and work of the Royal Navy, in particular for its
carry the name HMS King George VI – the very submarine service.”
first warship to do so. Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson, the UK’s Director
The emphasis of the service, however – as it is of Submarine Capability, said most Britons were
throughout the 50th anniversary year – was on unaware of the huge civilian ‘army’ behind each
the human element of the UK’s longest military deterrent patrol: 30,000 men and women from
mission as much as the submarines and the cutting- civil servants through shipwrights, electricians,
edge technology which drives them. welders, computer technicians and scientists “ready
This was underlined by two of the people to answer the call of our country should our most
addressing the 2,000-strong congregation: Marine desperate hour come.
engineer Leading Seaman Ed Owen, pictured above The Duke of Cambridge – Honorary Commodore
left, who has completed two deterrent patrols aboard of the Submarine Service – read a passage from the
HMS Victorious and Vengeance, and Isobel Fraser, Bible underlining the importance of peacekeeping
who has raised a family over 38 years as a naval wife before joining guests at a reception, chatting with
– and 29 deterrent patrols by her husband Stewart. families and thanking crew of all eras for efforts
“Being a submariner requires a large personal which are otherwise acknowledged only by special
sacrifice,” Ed explained. pin badges with which deterrent patrol submariners
“On patrol there are no phone calls, no emails are decorated.
and no social media – restrictions on personal Pictures: LPhot Paul Halliwell
freedoms which other people take for granted.
“It involves extended separation from my partner,
family and friends. During the past 11 months I
have spent just eight days with my girlfriend.” FOR DETAILS ABOUT OPERATION RELENTLESS
The strain on family life was echoed by Mrs Fraser
whose husband had missed more Christmases, visit www.royalnavy.mod.uk/casd50
royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews JUNE 2019 : 9
Let’s RASzle dazzle ‘em
NEARLY 140,000 tonnes of Royal Fleet Auxiliary the first ‘Tide to Tide’ RAS, while Fort Victoria solid stores RAS reception by a Tide-class Sea Training. Meanwhile, Tidesurge is
ships combined for replenishment at sea (RAS) tracked closely behind. tanker and the first Tide-to-Tide RAS using supporting Flag Officer Sea Training (and will
training off the south coast of the UK. Tideforce also received Fort Victoria’s stern two seven-inch hoses at the same time. be embarking Naval air squadrons to carry out
The rare sight was part of RFA Tideforce’s rig over her bow, another Tide-class milestone. “Tideforce is making good progress towards deck landing exercises).
sea trials and saw the hulking tanker work Earlier, casualty/aviation support ship, acceptance into service and will support the Captain Miles Lewis of Tidesurge said: “Wow
closely – very closely, in fact – alongside her Argus, which recently completed her Basic fleet for years to come.” what a finale to my six months on Tidesurge
fellow RFA ships, Tidesurge, Fort Victoria and Operational Sea Training, also joined Tideforce As part of Tideforce’s progression into full to undertake replenishing with Tideforce and
Argus. to complete her RAS hat-trick. operation, she is required to prove her primary Fort Victoria.
Tideforce – the fourth and final of the Royal Captain Sam Shattock, Tideforce’s capability, which is to replenish carrier task “My time as CO has seen numerous firsts for
Navy’s super-tankers designed to support Commanding Officer, said: “Replenishment groups. the Tide class being achieved on Tidesurge,
Britain’s two new aircraft carriers – was the at sea (RAS) is the core function of an RFA After an extensive refit, Fort Victoria was from Chinook landings to berthing trials in
first of the Tide class to refuel one of her sister tanker and it has been highly rewarding to also required to test her new carrier support Loch Ewe and the successful completion of
ships while underway. demonstrate that function in RFA Tideforce stores rig, as she too prepares to keep the UK’s BOST. As I leave I wish the ship well on her
It was an impressive sight, pictured, as through her RAS trials. new carriers supplied. next tasking and look forward to re-joining in
Tideforce manoeuvred close to Tidesurge, “The intense replenishment at sea trial Tideforce now continues her steps towards September.”
running her rig to her sister ship to complete period included a number of firsts. The first full operational status before Operational Picture: LPhot Paul Hall
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10 : JUNE 2019 royalnavy.mod.uk/navynewsHMS PUNCHER flies the blue and yellow Flag Gulf
– we are the guide – as she leads 12 vessels for the
annual 1st Patrol Boat Squadron exercise.
Puncher was joined by Archer, Biter, Blazer, Charger,
Example, Exploit, Explorer, Express, Pursuer, Ranger,
Smiter and Trumpeter for a series of manoeuvres in
the choppy Solent.
Five of the squadron’s ships are based in HMNB
Portsmouth, while the others are based around the
UK.
As well as providing training for students from
their affiliated universities, the P2000s support the
wider Royal Navy Fleet, often taking on the role of
attack craft in maritime exercises.
Commanded by lieutenants with a ship’s company
of just five, each of the vessels can also accommodate
up to 14 students.
Commanding Officer of 1PBS, Commander Milly
Ingham, said: “It’s a great exercise because, in the
future, the Commanding Officers of these ships
will go on to command again. Basic skills such as
manoeuvring will be really important.
“One of my Commanding Officers is 23 and one
is 24. Where else in industry would you give such a
huge responsibility to such a young person?”
The ships sailed out of Portsmouth Harbour to
Orchestral manoeuvres practice a number of complicated sequences – at
speed and in close proximity – testing the navigating
skills of the commanding officers.
in the Solent for 1PBS
Lieutenant Samuel Stallard, CO of HMS Puncher,
said: “It’s rare that this sort of thing happens
anymore, sailing 13 ships and doing all sorts of
manoeuvres.
“The chance to have a go at doing it, to be in
charge and be the lead ship is a good feeling.”
The small ships also welcomed the Commanding
Officer of one of the largest as Captain Steve
Moorhouse, CO of HMS Prince of Wales, joined the
crew of HMS Archer, which is affiliated to Edinburgh
URNU.
The Archer-class ships were joined by a Merlin Mk2
from 814 NAS at RNAS Culdrose. Also on the Solent
was the US Coast Guard tall ship Eagle, the only
active square-rigger in US government service.
The sailing ship, which is assessing officer
candidates on its spring training cruise, was making
her way into Portsmouth for a brief visit.
The Border Force cutter Seeker and the World War
2 motor launch Medusa were also out on the Solent.
Pictures: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, RNPOTY
JUNE 2019 : 11SIE RR A. A L PH A . VIC TO R. ECH O.
We’r e p r o u d t o o f f e r c u r r e n t a n d f o r m e r m i l i t a r y p e r s o n n e l
s av i n g s o n s e l e c t e d v e h i c l e s.†
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Model shown is a Fiesta ST-3 3-Door 1.5 200PS Manual Petrol with optional Full LED Headlamps.
Fuel economy mpg (l/100km): Combined 40.4 (7.0). *CO 2 emissions 136g/km.
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outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.l Modern Royal Marines uniform (left) and a US uniform
from D-Day (right)
Taking a dip l Modern Royal Marines Viking vehicle (left) and an old
D-Day vehicles put through their paces 77 years Royal Marines DUKW vehicle (right)
after first beach trials at Royal Marines base
WATER laps over the bonnet of a Group Royal Marines (1AGRM) “We trial all the new equipment “When we set off, there were
Willys MB jeep, seeping through all simulates a landing craft and coming in and we teach people thousands of landing craft. I had
the gaps of the vehicle’s bodywork. is used to see how amphibious how to waterproof vehicles like never seen so many vessels in my
As it continues to descend, cold vehicles deal with being submerged jeeps. life.”
water rushes into the cab soaking in water. “Today was about showing Speaking about the base at
the driver and passenger. The facility was built in late what we do now at Instow but Instow, Mr Coates added: “The
Fortunately, they are dressed in 1942 as a training and testing also remember the courage and training at Instow was very
dry suits and are able to quickly facility for troops preparing for the determination shown by all our important. How successful we were
exit the water housed in a dip tank invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. predecessors.” depended on the training here, it
at Royal Marines Instow. Now, it is responsible for D-Day veteran Clifford Coates was most essential for us.”
This would not have been the developing new equipment to meet and the private owners of World Historian Tony Koorlander
case for the original passengers of the needs of today’s Royal Marines. War Two vehicles were invited to agreed that Instow was an
the 75-year-old jeep who would In a two-mile radius of Instow, Instow to meet the squadron and important location and remains
have been driving it onto the there is easy access to sheltered see the facility. one today.
beaches of Normandy. and open water but also five of As part of the day, the D-Day “I have spoken to US troops who
They would have faced murky, the seven beach types found on jeep and one used by current were stationed in Instow during
salt water, wet, slippery sand and the planet – making it an excellent marines were driven through the the war and they said if it wasn’t
the threat of bombs and gunfire. place to test and develop new kit. base’s dip tank. for the innovative ideas here, they
In the lead up to the anniversary Colonel Chris Haw, Mr Coates, from Biddeford, would not have stood a chance
of D-Day, commandos from 11 commanding officer of 1AGRM, served in the Royal Marines during in getting their equipment on the
Amphibious Trials and Training said: “This base was used D-Day as a coxswain on one of the beaches at D-Day,” he said.
Squadron put the Second World during the Second World War to landing crafts.
War vehicle through its paces, waterproof and trial tanks and The 95-year-old said: “The build LEARN MORE ABOUT D-DAY
testing it against its modern-day vehicles what would go on to up to D-Day was all about training,
equivalents. Normandy. It was a centre for training, training. We trained so For more information on D-Day and
The dip tank at the north Devon innovation then and it continues much that running on the beaches the 75th anniversary visit royalnavy. l Royal Marine veteran Clifford Coates chats to 1AGRM
base, an outstation of 1 Assault that today. was like running on a normal road. Regimental Sergeant Major WO1 Lee Drinkwater about his
mod.uk experience during D-Day Pictures: LPhot Paul Hall
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royalnavy.mod.uk/navynews 1 04/04/2019 11:01
JUNE 2019 : 13Flying the flag
R
OYAL Navy personnel working at Norfolk NATO festival were in attendance Following the parade, attendees
the heart of NATO are living proof to celebrate NATO’s diverse culture, continued the celebration at the
of the benefits of seeking a career friendships, and achievements. International Village located in Town Point
move to experience life in the US The festival also celebrates the Park which featured tents from each of the
of A. supportive relationship between NATO’s NATO member nations.
Twenty dark blue uniforms are among Allied Command Transformation and the Visitors had the opportunity to meet
the 900 staff at Headquarters Supreme Hampton Roads region as well as ACT’s nember nation representatives and interac
Allied Commander Transformation (yes, contributions to the area. with Allied Command Transformation staff
that’s its name) at Norfolk in Virginia. The theme of this year’s festival was “A to learn more about NATO and the specific
One of the two NATO strategic Salute to the Women of NATO”. work of ACT.
Protector sight not
commands, the site is ‘home’ to military In support of the parade, the UK fields a General Lanata made his way through
and civilian personnel from 34 allied and float using iconic British images and is well the village, stopping at the different
partner nations. renowned for presenting a new creation tents and engaging with visitors, ACT
The RN personnel are part of the each year. staff, and families as well as enjoying the
seen for four years 140-strong UK military footprint in
Tidewater, southern Virginia, which is
the largest concentration of UK military
personnel in the USA. Of the 140 Brits
In preparation for this event, several
members of the UK military team working
in NATO gave up some 300 hours of their
own time to plan, design and execute
multicultural and cheerful setting.
“We feel at home here at NATO’s
home in America and also in the Norfolk
community,” said General Lanata.
FOUR years, six ship also called in on countries there, 70 are RN. the national contribution in the form of a
C
circumnavigations, three and ports rarely visited by Royal Organised around four principal representation of the aircraft carrier HMS hief Petty Officer Bernard “Bernie”
different commanding officers Navy vessels: Brazil, Chile, functions of strategic thinking; Queen Elizabeth. Dath has been awarded the Allied
and one new (old) nickname Uruguay and Argentina – where development of capabilities; education, The ship became a familiar sight last Command Transformation Military
– just a few of things that have the crew were thanked for training and exercise; and co-operation year during the Westlant 2018 deployment, Member of the Year to recognise his
passed since HMS Protector last their efforts to find the missing and engagement; the headquarters particularly as she regularly visited Norfolk outstanding professional performance,
saw English shores. submarine San Juan. is arranged into four directorates of during the course of the F-35B trials. Atop leadership, self-improvement, as well as
The Antarctic patrol ship Working with British Antarctic Capability Development, Strategic Plans & the “ship” the Queen, escorted by the Duke command and community involvement.
returned to her native Plymouth Survey scientists and their Policy, Resources & Management and Joint of Edinburgh and female representatives Later this year, Chief Dath will mark his
after a mammoth scientific American counterparts she’s Force Development, made up of military from each of the Services, 27th year in the Royal Navy and has serve
mission in the Southern helped study a glacier the size and civilian personnel.
Hemisphere. of England; scientists were With 2019 the 70th Anniversary
Not since autumn 2015 has concerned about the possibility of NATO, the HQ has completed its
the Red Plum (a sobriquet she’s of a 20cm sea level rise should restructuring to ensure that it remains
‘borrowed’ from her predecessor the Thwaites Glacier be shown to robust and flexible, enabled to take quick
HMS Endurance, also painted a be melting in the long term. and decisive action in response to political
distinctive red and white) been Earlier in her extended decisions.
in home waters, using facilities in mission, Protector sailed around Earlier this year, First Sea Lord Admiral
South Africa to carry out much- the entirety of Antarctica for the Sir Philip Jones visited HQ commander,
needed maintenance rather than first time, opening up the Ross General André Lanata to discuss the
make the 10,000-mile journey Sea at the McMurdo and Scott role of Allied Command Transformation
back to the UK when each austral bases and building relationships and in particular the links between the
summer ended and prevented with a range of countries. Royal Navy’s transformation programme
further research around the All this and more meant the and the goals of ACT as NATO’s Warfare
frozen continent. survey vessel clocked up 157,204 Development Command.
Instead, she spent the austral miles – more than six times The visit also gave the First Sea Lord the
winter off Africa – west and east around the globe – since leaving opportunity to meet some of the Royal
coasts – using her sonar suite and Falmouth. Navy personnel.
small hi-tech survey launches Her crew haven’t been away He then went on to present Long
to gather reams of data about as long as their ship; one third of Service and Good Conduct Medals to
waters poorly or infrequently the ship’s company change places seven NATO personnel from the Royal
mapped… data sent back to the every few weeks. Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
UK Hydrographic Office so it “Our deployment has been Work is very much balanced with
can improve the charts used by awesome – we’ve visited New leisure time and a number of RN
mariners (including the RN) the Zealand, South Africa and personnel joined colleagues at the 66th
world over. Argentina to name a few, and annual Norfolk NATO Festival’s Parade of
The unique nature of the in 2016 we circumnavigated Nations – the only parade in the US which
icebreaker’s peaceful scientific/ Antarctica for the first time,” said honours NATO.
environmental work meant the Captain Matt Syrett. Downtown Norfolk was transformed
into a lively and colourful atmosphere
Echo visits Georgia again where spectators watched a stunning
procession of more than 100 parade
units composed of local and visiting
ROYAL Navy survey ship HMS “I look forward to working high school bands, US and International
Echo has arrived in Georgia – with the Georgian Coastguard Military bands, and skilfully handcrafted
her second visit to the eastern once again towards our common floats representing the pride and culture
European republic in five months. aim of peace and stability within of each of NATO’s 29 member nations.
The Plymouth-based research the Black Sea.” The parade also featured many
ship has sailed into the port of Prior to visiting Georgia, HMS local community organisations and
Batumi as she squeezes as much Echo negotiated the Turkish festival partners, showcasing the
as possible into a three-week spell Straits, first the Dardanelles and close partnership and collaboration
in the Black Sea. then the Bosporus, focussed on between ACT and the Hampton Roads
Echo will work with the making the most of a three-week region.
Georgian Coastguard at sea on period in the Black Sea. General Lanata and Kenneth
combined exercises, building While there, the ship worked Cooper Alexander, Mayor of Norfolk,
on the relationship the two closely with Britain’s allies to alongside Scott Jackson, Chairman
established when the Royal reinforce freedom of navigation of the Virginia Arts Festival, and
Navy ship visited the country in within the region. Simon Scott, Chairman of the
December. That’s included a visit to
And on this occasion, Echo was Constanta – Romania’s oldest
also hoping to hold an open day city – where her sailors carried out
for the public while alongside. survey training with the host navy
Commander Matthew Warren, which included a demonstration
HMS Echo’s Commanding of survey motor boat Sapphire’s
Officer, said: “I am delighted to advanced capabilities. The small
return to Batumi where we have craft is designed to operate
enjoyed such a warm welcome independently, allowing access to
from our Georgian friends and shallow or confined areas where
allies. the ship herself cannot operate.
Lightning to hit Yeovilton
LIGHTNING is forecast at the a huge step towards front-line
Fleet Air Arm’s premier public operations with them when
showcase as the UK’s new jet 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron –
fighter makes its first appearance. comprising RN and RAF ground
The F-35 Lightning will stage and aircrew – embark on Queen
two flypasts – one slow, the second Elizabeth for trials off the Eastern
fast – at the RN International Air Seaboard of the USA.
Day in Yeovilton on Saturday July Before then, there’s a first
13. overseas training deployment
Aside from occasional to Cyprus and the Yeovilton
ceremonial appearances, such air show debut in front of an
as over Rosyth, and a display anticipated 40,000-strong crowd.
at RIAT last summer, the only As well as the live jet fly-past,
chance to see the fifth-generation there will be a model of the F-35B
stealth fighter has been living on the ground and a chance to
near RAF Marham or serving clamber into the replica’s cockpit.
aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. Tickets for air day are available
The jet will provide the at royalnavy.mod.uk/airday
striking power of the UK’s two with a discount in advance (£7
new aircraft carriers – and takes off for adults, £5 off for children).
14 : JUNE 2019 royalnavy.mod.uk/navynewsYou can also read
