Royal Navy in largest deployment of recent years
Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 11:03
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THE Royal Navy is preparing to set sail for one of its largest deployments of recent years with the biggest RN Task Force to deploy to the Far East in more than a decade - headed by Plymouth's HMS Bulwark.
Taurus 09 aims to maintain the Royal Navy’s fighting capability as well as develop the UK’s 'capacity to operate with key partners and allies'.
The Task Force will conduct a wide range of activities including maritime security operations and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare.
The Task Force comprises 12 ships, including a US Navy destroyer and a French Navy frigate, two nuclear powered submarines, Royal Marines from 40 Commando in Taunton, the Fleet Diving Unit, Assault Squadron Royal Marines from Plymouth, elements of 820 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons (NAS) from RNAS Culdrose, 847 NAS and Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea Kings based in Yeovil and Support Helicopter Force Chinooks from 18 Squadron, RAF Odiham.
It will be joined by ships, troops and aircraft from other nations and at its height, 3,300 personnel will take part in the 20,400 mile round-trip deployment, interacting, training and building relations with 17 nations.
Minister of State for the Armed Forces Bob Ainsworth MP said: "In addition to the Royal Navy’s contribution to current operations, exercising its open ocean and amphibious capability is vital to demonstrating its global reach and maintaining its capacity to deliver maritime security.
"This deployment illustrates the Navy’s versatility. It is a world class service and deploying this task group will hone its warfighting skills."
Phase One will involve amphibious training with nations in the Mediterranean, culminating in a series of amphibious landings in Turkey.
Phase Two will see part of the Task Group deploy through the Suez Canal, culminating in a multi-national training package in the jungles of Brunei. River training will also be conducted with the Bangladeshi Navy, the first such interaction in more than a decade.
Spearheading the deployment from his Command Ship, Devonport's, HMS Bulwark, is Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson CBE ADC, Commander UK Amphibious Task Group.
He said: "Taurus is a great opportunity for the Royal Navy to demonstrate and practice a wide range of skills, specifically anti-submarine and amphibious warfare.
"Everybody involved is looking forward to this deployment, which has real opportunities for all.
"Deploying a maritime force across the globe for prolonged periods defines a premier Navy’s capability. It is what we do and we do it well. It is important for UK defence that we can take such a commitment in our stride."
The Task Force is expected to return in August.
Ships involved in TAURUS 09 are:
Landing Platform Dock (LPD) HMS BULWARK*
Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) HMS OCEAN*
Type 23 Frigate HMS ARGYLL
Type 23 Frigate HMS SOMERSET*
United States Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS MITSCHER*
French Navy Georges Leygues-class Frigate FS DUPLEIX
RFA MOUNTS BAY
RFA LYME BAY
RFA WAVE RULER*
RFA FORT AUSTIN
2 x Trafalgar Class submarines
Exercises will be conducted with countries including Malta, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.
