U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal sets sail for Atlantic exercises

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U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal sets sail for Atlantic exercises
UNITED KINGDOM - 8 APRIL 2010

The U.K. Royal Navy's flagship HMS Ark Royal sailed from Portsmouth this week to lead a series of multinational exercises in the North and West Atlantic.

The deployment, called AURIGA 2010, will see Ark Royal head an international task group for a string of exercises between May and August.

Joining Ark Royal in the task group are Devonport-based Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel Fort George, French submarine FS Perle and US destroyer USS Barry.

Portsmouth-based Type 42 destroyer HMS Liverpool will leave on 10 May to join the task group.

They will be supported by an amphibious force comprising Devonport-based HMS Ocean and RFA Largs Bay, together with Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade and Royal Navy helicopters.

Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, Commodore Simon Ancona, said:

"AURIGA is going to be of extraordinary training value for the ship's company and it is a great feeling to have the Harriers back on board again.

"This is a mainly aviation and submarine exercise but it will also be an opportunity to test our amphibious capabilities as well.

"We will start off the coast of Scotland with an exercise called Joint Warrior and will then sail to the east coast of America to get back down to the business of training as a task group."

AURIGA 2010 is intended to demonstrate the UK's ability to deploy, operate and sustain a task group out of area for a prolonged period.

The ships will also undertake a series of goodwill port visits in the region to support international security co-operation initiatives.

U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal passing the Round Tower at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour where families and friends gathered to see off their loved ones



U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal on her way to take part in AURIGA 2010





File Photo: U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal




Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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HMS Ark Royal Is Ready
UNITED KINGDOM - 8 MAY 2010

Since leaving dry-dock in September 2009, having undergone a £12 million 7-month maintenance period, HMS Ark Royal has successfully conducted a variety of highly-intensive operationally-focussed training serials, progressing from benign conditions to full-blown war scenarios.

This year the most famous warship of the Royal Navy has been working hard to get to full operational capability, which has seen the embarkation of the Naval Strike Wing, with their GR9 Harrier jets, as well as Naval Air Squadrons 814, 815, and 849 with their Merlin, Lynx and Sea King helicopters respectively. The integration of the Nation’s high readiness strike carrier and its embarked squadrons has seen an impressive amount work undertaken, with both the Ship and Squadrons working towards successful completion of pre-deployment trials.

The incessant training and testing has focussed the Fleet Flagship on becoming operational; fit to take part in the Royal Navy’s largest deployment this year: the multi-national exercise, Auriga 10. The deployment will see HMS Ark Royal as the Flagship of a multi-national task-force deployed to the Western Atlantic in the large training areas utilised by the United States Navy. Royal Navy vessels HMS Liverpool, HMS Sutherland, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort George will all be taking part in the 5-month deployment, and will be joined by the American destroyer USS Barry and a French submarine.

After 5 years in the dust and sands of Afghanistan providing Close Air Support to coalition armies, the Naval Strike Wing (NSW) Harrier GR9A aircraft from the Joint Force Harrier Squadron, have returned to their maritime home to work up for operations in HMS Ark Royal. “This is what we are all about”, says the Commanding Officer of NSW, Commander David ‘Tinsel’ Lindsay; emphasising the importance of integrating into the Ship and operating as one team. After only a few days onboard, NSW were flying day and night missions to prove the achievement of maximum readiness.

”Being back at sea is great”, says Harrier pilot Lt Nick Mattock RN, “Ark Royal has really welcomed us and we all feel part of the Ship’s Company”.

The unique capabilities of the Harriers have been demonstrated in a variety of missions including air-to-air combat, close air support precision strike sorties on land, reconnaissance flights and live weapon firing. Commander Lindsay says, “The Naval Strike Wing’s underlying philosophy is that ‘you train like you fight’, and this is perfectly in keeping with Ark’s motto ‘Zeal Does Not Rest’. I am very pleased to see just how far we have all come in such a short time. It is largely down to the amount of effort that the Ark has put into preparing for our embarkation”.

Carrier strike provides the UK with an air capability that can apply both political and military influence across all operations, when acting alone or within a coalition, at all scales of warfare and at a time and place of our political choosing. The skills being practiced and gained in HMS Ark Royal and the other ships in the Task Group will enable a smooth transition to the UK’s future aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

But it’s not all about the jets. HMS Ark Royal is currently operating with a range of Merlin, Lynx and Sea King helicopters in addition to the NSW jets. With true global reach, this impressive maritime air power capability is at five days notice to be deployed anywhere in the world and has the ability to deliver and sustain Harrier and helicopter operations in any and every environment. The flexibility of flying operations is key to HMS Ark Royal’s versatility as the Fleet Flagship – as capable of projecting power as she is humanitarian aid to those in need.

Commander of the Task Group, Commodore Simon Ancona, stated, "Auriga 2010 will demonstrate the UK's ability to deploy, operate and sustain a task group out of area for a prolonged period. The ships will also undertake a series of goodwill port visits in the region to support International Security Co-operation initiatives".

A Harrier landing on the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal



Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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NORFOLK (May 14, 2010) Line handlers secure mooring lines from the U.K. Royal Navy Invincible-class light aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (RO7) as it arrives at Naval Station Norfolk. HMS Ark Royal is conducting Operation Auriga, the Royal Navy's major deployment for 2010 to North America and the western Atlantic Ocean.



NORFOLK (May 14, 2010) The U.K. Royal Navy Invincible-class light aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (RO7) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk. HMS Ark Royal is conducting Operation Auriga, the Royal Navy's major deployment for 2010 to North America and the western Atlantic Ocean.

 

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U.K. Royal Navy vessels exercise in the Atlantic
UNITED KINGDOM - 20 MAY 2010

The AURIGA deployment is a large-scale joint maritime operational exercise lasting four months involving the U.K., U.S. and French navies.

A number of Royal Navy vessels are currently deployed to the eastern seaboard of the USA as part of the AURIGA multinational Naval Task Group.

The AURIGA deployment is a large-scale joint maritime operational exercise lasting four months involving the UK, US and French navies.

The Task Group is commanded by Commodore Simon Ancona whose aim over the deployment is to ensure the development of a range of maritime capabilities by maximising the value of training opportunities for all joint and coalition partners involved.

Vessels involved in the Task Group include the Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer USS Barry, RFA Fort George, French nuclear submarine FS Perle, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Liverpool.

The Task Force departed Scotland last month and once at sea started conducting routine serials to ensure the Task Group maintained full readiness.

Man-overboard exercises, where a life-sized dummy is thrown overboard and recovered, and response to discovering an exercise fire onboard HMS Sutherland tested whole ship reactions to any eventuality at sea.

Elements of the AURIGA Task Group then concentrated on integrating helicopter flying serials.

The first surface exercise and a boarding exercise were conducted between USS Barry and HMS Sutherland.

As part of their preparation, the boarding teams' training advanced with rapid roping evolutions being conducted. This allows for a speedy insertion of the boarding team from a helicopter when time is of the essence.

The main drive for elements of the AURIGA Task Group was on honing their submarine-hunting skills during the transit between the UK and Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Working as a combined unit they hunted, avoiding counter-detection, and engaged in simulated underwater battles with FS Perle who proved to be a worthy adversary.

In the two-week period up to arriving in Norfolk, it is estimated 29,100 'pings' of sound were transmitted into the water to enable early detection of the submarine.

Throughout the past two weeks logistics and engineering departments have also been busy ensuring essential stores and equipment are in the correct place by replenishing from RFA Fort George to the other units.

This ensured that the ships could repair defects efficiently and even saw a transfer of crisps when the shop onboard HMS Sutherland unexpectedly ran out - on receipt of the resupply high levels of morale were restored.

On Saturday 8 May USS Barry and HMS Sutherland conducted a successful exercise with submarine USS Dallas, in conjunction with protecting the high-value unit RFA Fort George.

HMS Sutherland's office was also kept very busy that day exchanging money, with a total of $52,165 exchanged in one day ahead of the ship's first visit to Norfolk.

Commodore Ancona took the opportunity to visit vessels within his Task Group during a photograph exercise, with HMS Sutherland, RFA Fort George, USS Barry and FS Perle joined by submarine USS Dallas, prior to arriving at the Task Group's destination of Norfolk, Virginia.


HMS Sutherland's Commanding Officer, Commander John Payne, keeps a close eye on navigator Lieutenant Charlie Collins during a Replenishment at Sea with RFA Fort George

HMS Sutherland leads the way for RFA Fort George, U.S. Navy USS Barry and two U.S. submarines during the crossing of the Atlantic

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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U.K. Royal Navy HMS Liverpool Sails for Auriga
UNITED KINGDOM - 21 MAY 2010

HMS Liverpool set sail from Portsmouth on 11 May 10 to join the AURIGA Task Group ahead of a deployment incorporating multiple exercises with various allied nations. Waved off by family and friends, including the Commander in Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE, the Type 42 Destroyer looked magnifisant in Procedure Alpha, as she transited out of Portsmouth in traditional style. She is now the oldest Destroyer in the Fleet but still in full working order and has recently undergone significant uplifts in her propulsion and weapon systems during a refit in 2009.

The transit across the Atlantic will take HMS Liverpool 12 days and she is expected to spend large periods of time at sea during the deployment to test her sustainability. Scheduled to return to the UK in late August the Ship’s Company will have visited several US military bases and Halifax in support of the Royal Canadian Navy’s centenary celebrations.

Her Anti-Air Weapon system, capable of taking down supersonic aircraft and incoming missiles has been practiced with dedicated training and a successful live firing in April 10. She now joins the AURIGA Task Group as the Area Air Defender and is looking forward to working with the UK’s allies. Prior to leaving UK waters Liverpool commenced her integration with the AURIGA Task Group during Exercise Joint Warrior in April 2010. In addition, FOST Continuation Training during Exercise Joint Warrior has ensured her Ship’s Company is prepared for a series of exercises during the transit to America.

File Photo: U.K. Royal Navy HMS Liverpool



The AURIGA Carrier Strike Task Group is made up of the following units:

HMS Ark Royal is the U.K. Royal Navy Fleet Flagship:

HMS Sutherland is an U.K. Royal Navy Type 23 frigate:

USS BARRY is an U.S. Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyer:

HMS Liverpool is an U.K. Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer:

RFA Fort George is a Fleet Replenishment ship:

FS PERLE is a French SSN:

The Amphibious Task Group will join AURIGA in June and include:

HMS Albion is an U.K. Royal Navy assault ship with a landing platform dock:

HMS Ocean is an U.K. Royal Navy assault ship to deliver EMF:

RFA Largs Bay a Landing Ship Dock (Auxillary):

USS Kearsage is an U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship:



Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal and U.S. Marine Corps Week 1
23 MAY 2010

After the first week of air operations onboard the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship, HMS Ark Royal, the embarked and highly-capable AV8Bs Harriers, from Marine Aviation Group 14 of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), have proved their skill and capability. New to launching from HMS Ark Royal’s trademark ‘ski ramp’, the USMC pilots immediately rose to the challenge and in a the first five days of fixed wing flying a total of twenty-two USMC pilots qualified to take off and land from the British aircraft carrier. During this period there has been in excess of one hundred and sixty sorties flown.

Flying operations have progressed from deck landings and take-offs to tactical flying, including bombing runs on a target towed behind HMS Ark Royal. During one exercise Ark Royal came under simulated attack from enemy ships. The USMC jets were launched and successfully defended the British warship, all the time being controlled by Royal Navy air traffic controllers. This clearly demonstrates that the Royal Navy is a truly global force, with a great deal of flexibility to work with other nations.

In weather more akin to the British summer than a Florida summer, it was a day of celebration for one Royal Navy pilot embarked in Ark Royal with the USMC. Having been selected to complete his fast jet pilot training with the USMC, Lieutenant Ralph Wood Royal Navy has landed for the very first time on a British warship: “This is a great occasion for not only me, but the USMC. I am really proud to have landed on a British warship, and the fact that HMS Ark Royal is the Fleet Flagship, and the nation’s strike carrier, makes it so much more satisfying.”

High up in the tower of Flying Control, Commander Rocky Salmon Royal Navy, the officer in charge of launching the powerful US jets, stated: “I have been massively impressed by the skill and capability of the United States Marine Corps aviation personnel. Since embarking in HMS Ark Royal, at the beginning of the week, they, and we, have achieved so much. The USMC seems to have adopted the Mighty Ark’s motto of “Zeal Does Not Rest”. It is fantastic that we are building up this interoperability and cooperation of multi-national forces, and proves that the Royal Navy, and indeed HMS Ark Royal, is modern, relevant and highly capable.”

Prior to deploying on Exercise Auriga, HMS Ark Royal had conducted her Safe to Operate training during which time Naval Strike Wing, now 800 Squadron, from the UK’s Joint Force Harrier (JFH) embarked to ‘work up’ the crew in preparation for the USMC embarkation. The two-week exercise with the USMC, named Ex Capella Strike, will be followed by the embarkation of One Squadron from JFH in Mayport, Florida, to maintain the thrust for true Joint Operational sustainability.

An U.S. Marine Corps AV8B on deck with strafing a target towed behind HMS Ark Royal

An U.S. Marine Corps AV8B takes off during untypical Florida weather

The flight deck of HMS Ark Royal teeming with jet aircraft and personnel from the U.S. Marine Corps

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal Welcomes 1(F) Joint Force Harrier Squadron to Auriga Task Group
UNITED KINGDOM - 8 JUNE 2010

HMS Ark Royal, the Nation’s Strike Carrier and Flagship of the Royal Navy, continues to enjoy a busy time whilst on the Multi-National Auriga deployment, welcoming her third harrier squadron since leaving Portsmouth Naval Base on 5 April 2010. Originally embarking 800 Squadron from Joint Force Harrier – formerly Naval Strike Wing, before the arrival of twelve AV8B harriers from the United States Marine Corps, now, 6 GR9 Ground Reconnaissance harriers from 1(F) Squadron, Joint Force Harrier, have assumed the mantle of launching from HMS Ark Royal to provide the UK with its ‘Strike’ capability.

Whilst she was alongside in Mayport, Florida, the one hundred and forty three US marines and their aircraft disembarked HMS Ark Royal to make way for the one hundred and sixteen personnel from 1(F) Sqn of the UK’s Joint Force Harrier. In order to embark the harriers, it is essential that the Ship generates sufficient ‘wind over the deck’ to assist the pilots in keeping perfectly aligned with the markings on the flight deck to enable a safe landing, therefore, once sufficient sea space was attained, the jets were welcomed onboard by HMS Ark Royal’s Flight Deck Officer, Lt Paul ‘Mo’ Morris, who said: “It’s always a pleasure and privilege to welcome the jets onboard. My team and I are the first members of the Ship’s Company the pilots see. Flying Control, way up in the island, ‘bring them in’ over headset comms but I make it my responsibility to personally welcome each pilot to the Ark Royal team.”

Operating in the exercise areas off the coast of Florida, Virginia and North Carolina the whole Squadron will initially conduct an induction period to integrate with Ark Royal’s safety procedures as part of the “Safe to Operate” phase. Over the course of a week the pilots will become deck qualified before continuing with the interoperability exercises making up the Auriga deployment. In the first twenty-four hours onboard, the Squadron has managed 8 landings and 22 approaches.

HMS Ark Royal has already proved her interoperability capability and effectiveness in ‘strike’ operations; it is now down to sustainability. Commander “Rocky” Salmon RN, Commander Air in HMS ARK ROYAL said: “It is fantastic to see 1(F) Squadron back onboard Ark Royal and we are all very much looking forward to the excellent training opportunities so as to really develop our Carrier Strike capability”.

Part of this development will see the Squadron move from practising their deck landings to tactical flying including bombing raids in the West Atlantic Exercise Areas over the next eight weeks.

Commodore Simon Ancona, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group based in HMS ARK ROYAL added: “It is good to see 1(F) Squadron integrate back as part of the task group for this essential next step of re-integrating Joint Force Harrier in support of continuing operations”.

This sentiment is echoed by Wing Command Haines RAF, Officer Commanding 1(F) Squadron: “Our embarkation has gone smoothly and as planned, we are now looking forward to an exciting and challenging time over the next eight weeks onboard HMS Ark Royal”.

What is certain is that the combination of the HMS Ark Royal’s spirit as echoed in the Ship’s motto: “Zeal does not Rest”; and 1(F) Squadron’s: “First in all things” means that the next eight weeks will highlight the flexibility and capability of the Joint Force Harrier and HMS Ark Royal’s ability to lead a strong and diverse task group.

AURIGA is the major Royal Navy deployment of 2010, exercising on the Eastern Seaboard of North America and in the Western Atlantic. Deploying from the UK in April of 2010, the Carrier Strike Lead Task Group will initially consist of approximately 2,000 UK, US and French personnel in 4 Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, a French nuclear powered submarine, an American Destroyer and several rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Later on in the deployment the Amphibious Task Group consisting of approximately 2,000 personnel and 3 ships will join for the final exercise.

The deployment will focus on a series of US and Canadian exercises with the principal aim of enhancing our Operational Capability by training with our coalition partners in traditional war-fighting areas of Carrier Strike, Amphibious Assault and Anti-Submarine Warfare operations. Elements of the Task Group will also participate in the International Fleet Review taking place in Halifax to celebrate the Centennial of the Canadian Navy.

The Task Group is Commanded from HMS ARK ROYAL by Commodore Simon Ancona Royal Navy, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group.

1 squadron RAF embarked onboard HMS Ark Royal

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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Amphibious Task Group Heads For The USA
UNITED KINGDOM - 9 JUNE 2010

The U.K. Royal Navy’s amphibious flagship, HMS Albion sails today, leading the UK’s amphibious Task Group for exercises with the United States Marine Corps and navy off the East coast of the USA. The AURIGA deployment, as it is known, includes a Carrier Strike Group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. However, the focus of attention for Commander Amphibious Task Group and Stonehouse based staff from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will be a series of exercises in the challenging terrain of Camp Lejeune in North Virginia. The amphibious Task Group began the year with Exercise COLD RESPONSE in Norway and the hot and humid climate of the swamplands of the eastern USA will provide training in a very different environment.

The amphibious Task Group will arrive in late June and will be joined by an impressive force of US warships including the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit – over 8000 US Navy personnel and marines. The US and UK force will conduct familiarisation training before tackling a scenario loosely based on tackling an aggressor nation threatening regional stability in a fictional part of the globe but centred on the excellent training facilities offered in Camp Lejeune.

Plymouth based HMS Albion, HMS Ocean and RFA Largs Bay sail on 9th and 10th June with men from Bickleigh based 42 Cdo RM as well as elements of 29 Cdo RA, Stonehouse based 30 IX Cdo RM and personnel and helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force.

The short deployment will last until mid August when most of the ships will return to the UK.

Exercise AURIGA is part of a series of training exercises that will build on the UK’s ability to conduct small scale focused Intervention operations anywhere in the world, delivering amphibious forces supported by air power from the Joint Harrier force.

Commodore Paul Bennett, Commander Amphibious Task Group said:

“I am delighted to be leading some of the UK’s most capable warships in this important exercise where we will refresh our working practices with US amphibious forces”.

U.K. Royal Navy HMS Albion

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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HMS Ocean Heads Across The Pond As Part Of The Auriga Task Group
UNITED KINGDOM - 11 JUNE 2010

HMS Ocean, the U.K. Royal Navy's largest ship, sailed for the United States this week as part of the UK Amphibious Task Group, led by Commodore Paul Bennett on board HMS Albion. The Amphibious Task Group will join HMS Ark Royal and the UK Carrier Strike Group later this month and take part in Exercise Auriga, working alongside the U.S. Navy and Marines.

The Auriga deployment consists of a series of training exercises that will build on the UK’s ability to conduct small scale intervention operations anywhere in the world, delivering amphibious forces ashore, supported by air power from the Joint Harrier force. This is the second major amphibious exercise of the year. In February the ship conducted Exercise Cold Response in the freezing fjords of northern Norway.

The Amphibious Task Group, comprising of HMS Ocean, together with HMS Albion and RFA Largs Bay, sailed with soldiers and marines from Bickleigh-based 42 Commando Royal Marines as well as elements of 29 Commando Royal Artillery, Stonehouse-based 30 Commando Royal Marines and personnel and helicopters from the Commando Helicopter Force, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. When the Task Group arrives in the USA it will join an impressive force of US warships including the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit – over 8000 US Navy personnel and marines.

Captain Keith Blount Royal Navy, HMS Ocean's Commanding Officer, said:

"We have been working towards this for this for some time, both during Exercise Cold Response earlier this year and then during our own rigorous period of Sea Training in May. Auriga takes our amphibious capability a step further as well as providing the chance to integrate with our counterparts in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Furthermore, by working with our own Carrier Strike Group, we will help demonstrate how the Royal Navy continues to provide a powerful and flexible maritime expeditionary capability for the UK across the globe, wherever it is needed”.

HMS Ocean will go on from Auriga to conduct a wide range of maritime security, engagement and capacity building roles within the UK’s standing Atlantic Patrol Task, and is expected to return to the UK in the late autumn.

File Photo: U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ocean

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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U.K. Royal Navy HMS Albion Mid Atlantic Update
UNITED KINGDOM - 23 JUNE 2010

On Monday 14 Jun 10 HMS Ark Royal hosted sixteen senior personnel from the United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC) plus senior civilians from the US Department of Defense.

The Fleet Flagship, HMS Ark Royal, currently operating off the east coast of the United States of America as the Command Platform of the multi-national Auriga Task Group, jumped at the opportunity to prove her awesome capability to her influential US visitors.

The aim of the visit was to provide an opportunity for senior US personnel to observe the Auriga deployment first hand in order to gain a better understanding of the importance of the strategic UK-US relationship for the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, building on the successes of the 2-week USMC Marine Air Group (MAG) 14 embarkation in May 10.

This high profile event included briefs about Carrier Strike capability from Commodore Simon Ancona, the Commander of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group and head of the Auriga Task Group as well as the extremely capable Merlin Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter. The Merlin has been utilised extensively throughout the deployment, complemented so effectively by the 2087 sonar in HMS Sutherland, the Type-23 ASW frigate escorting the aircraft carrier.

After the flying display involving Harrier GR9 jets from 1(F) Squadron - Joint Force Harrier, Merlin helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron and Lynx helicopters from HMS Ark Royal’s of 212 Flight, Commodore Simon Ancona explained:

“This is a superb opportunity to discuss some really important issues. The visitors were all hugely impressed with what they saw and heard. I am pleased we were able to show ourselves off”.

The Commodore’s thoughts were echoed by Rear Admiral O’Hanlon USN, the Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic, who said:

“I have been very impressed with Commodore Ancona’s briefing. As a Commander myself, opportunities like this add to the synergy of both our navies, and we continue to look forward to working with the Royal Navy in the future; we are very grateful to be onboard to be able to observe the expertise of the Ship’s Company of HMS Ark Royal”.

Interoperability between the United States Navy and the Royal Navy has been the “buzz word” of the deployment. HMS Ark Royal embarked 12 MAG -14 AV8B harriers from the USMC and, the Royal Navy will be sending twelve fixed wing pilots to the United States to be trained to fly the USN F-18 jets in preparation for the Joint Strike Fighter F35Bs, which will be embarked in the UK’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. As Captain John Clink OBE, HMS Ark Royal’s Commanding Officer, concluded:

“We are very proud of our work with our NATO allies and our long history of co-operation with the United States Navy. Today was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate some of the capabilities that the UK Carrier Strike Group has, particularly the GR9 Harrier and Merlin ASW helicopters operating from HMS Ark Royal. Exercising off the US Coast provides the perfect Carrier gymnasium to enhance our skills and work with US forces”.

AURIGA is the major Royal Navy deployment of 2010, exercising on the Eastern Seaboard of North America and in the Western Atlantic. Deploying from the UK in April of 2010, the Carrier Strike Lead Task Group will initially consist of approximately 2,000 UK, US and French personnel in 4 Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, a French nuclear powered submarine, an American Destroyer and several rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Later on in the deployment the Amphibious Task Group consisting of approximately 2,000 personnel and 3 ships will join for the final exercise.

The deployment will focus on a series of US and Canadian exercises with the principal aim of enhancing our Operational Capability by training with our coalition partners in traditional warfighting areas of Carrier Strike, Amphibious Assault and Anti-Submarine Warfare operations. Elements of the Task Group will also participate in the International Fleet Review taking place in Halifax to celebrate the Centennial of the Canadian Navy.

The Task Group is Commanded from HMS Ark Royal by Commodore Simon Ancona Royal Navy, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group.


Embarked Forces on board HMS Albion conducting weapon training mid-Atlantic

Deck landing training onboard HMS Albion

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

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U.K. Royal Navy Amphibious Task Group Arrives in Norfolk
1 July 2010

NORFOLK, Va. -- The Royal Navy's Amphibious Task Group (ATG) arrived at Naval Station Norfolk June 30 for a port visit during Operation Auriga.

The Royal Navy landing platform dock ship HMS Albion (L14), landing platform helicopter ship HMS Ocean (L12), Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Largs Bay (L3006), and the 3 Commando Brigade will spend several days in Norfolk before conducting joint operations with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and II Marine Expeditionary Force in July.

Auriga is the major 2010 Royal Navy deployment that focuses on a series of U.S. and Canadian exercises with the principal aim of enhancing operational capability by training with coalition partners in traditional war fighting areas of carrier strike, amphibious assault and anti-submarine warfare operations.

The U.K. ATG will partner with the U.K. Carrier Strike Lead Task Group (CSLTG), which deployed to the East Coast in April in support of Operation Auriga.

Carrier Strike Lead Task Group is comprised of the Royal Navy Fleet flagship HMS Ark Royal (R07), frigate HMS Sutherland (F81), destroyer HMS Liverpool (D92), Royal fleet auxiliary Fort George (A388), French submarine FS Perle (s606), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52).

The carrier strike and amphibious capabilities are at the core of the U.K.'s expeditionary maritime strategy.

 

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U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal celebrates Silver Jubilee
UNITED KINGDOM - 6 JULY 2010

The flagship of the Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal, currently deployed in the western Atlantic Ocean, celebrated her 25th birthday last week.

The famous Royal Navy flagship entered service on 1 July 1985 and was commissioned in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on 1 November 1985.

The UK's high readiness strike carrier is currently deployed in the western Atlantic Ocean undertaking a multinational maritime exercise.

The aircraft carrier, at immediate notice to deploy anywhere in the world, has recently taken part in celebrations marking the centenary of the Canadian Navy in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.

While in Halifax, HMS Ark Royal was visited by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, who was in the country to attend the G20 Summit and took the opportunity to mark Armed Forces Day by commending the hard work and commitment shown by the ship's company and restated his commitment to the vital role the Royal Navy plays in modern defence.

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, also visited the ship during the International Fleet Review, hosting an official reception for over 500 VIPs from Canada and NATO-partner countries.

HMS Ark Royal, or the 'Mighty Ark' as she is somtimes known, is the fifth ship to bear the name and has added to the illustrious history of her forebears and upheld her famous motto 'Zeal Does Not Rest'.

The first Ark Royal, launched in 1588, was owned by Sir Walter Raleigh and was his flagship in defeating the Spanish Armada.

The third Ark Royal took part in the sinking of the Bismarck and Ark Royal IV was the subject of the famous 'Sailor' documentary from 1978.

The current Ark Royal helped bring peace to Bosnia in 1993/94 and, following an extensive refit and upgrade in the late 1990s, took part in the second Gulf War in 2003.

HMS Ark Royal is one of the Royal Navy's two operational Invincible Class aircraft carriers.

She weighs 22,000 tonnes and was built at Swan Hunter's dockyard in Newcastle. Construction on her hull began in 1978 and she was commissioned into service in 1985.

The construction cost of HMS Ark Royal was £320m but she was delivered by Swan Hunter four-and-a-half months ahead of schedule, with some mid-build alterations having been made due to lessons learnt from the Falklands conflict.

She can support up to 24 aircraft anywhere in the world and, along with this, provides a platform for task group command and control, communications and intelligence-gathering operations.

To date, she has played a central role in the furtherance of British foreign policy and provides a mixture of war-fighting, peace support and disaster relief capabilities.

All of those who have ever served on what many people believe to be the 'world's most famous warship' always mention the great 'Spirit of the Ark', none more so than the current Commanding Officer, Captain John Clink:

"HMS Ark Royal is a wonderfully happy ship. The name 'Ark Royal' is renowned throughout the world and I am very proud to be able to be a part of the history of this great ship," he said.

"HMS Ark Royal is 25 years old, yet remains fully capable of delivering air power to enemy targets.

"I am excited about the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers which are currently being built around the UK, and foresee the long and distinguished history of Royal Navy carrier capability continuing well into the future."

The ship's company of HMS Ark Royal will celebrate the Silver Jubilee with a series of events through the autumn when the ship returns to the UK.

The events are designed to maximise the opportunity for those who have been associated with the ship to visit her during the festivities, including visitor days for her affiliated schools, veterans associations, Service organisations and charities, as well as a reception for all former officers and warrant officers who have served on her.

The formal celebration will be a Ceremonial Divisions in Portsmouth on 5 November, with the final tribute being paid by her affiliated city, Leeds, which has given the ship's company the honour of exercising the freedom of the city.

U.K. Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal on deployment in the western Atlantic Ocean

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence