Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Royal Navy Ready for Unforeseen Global Events
Source: UK Ministry of Defense
Numerous vessels are taking part in Cougar 11, this summer's deployment of the Royal Navy's new Response Force Task Group (RFTG).
Consisting of ships, aircraft and personnel held at very high readiness, the RFTG is at the heart of the UK's ability to react at short notice to unforeseen global events.
Ships currently deployed include HMS Ocean, which is leading a second group of ships, consisting of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support ships Wave Knight, Fort Rosalie and Mounts Bay, to join Cougar 11.
After a period of work-up training in UK waters, they will head to the Mediterranean where they will join amphibious assault ship HMS Albion, Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland (both Devonport-based) and landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay, all of which sailed from the UK at the beginning of April.
Their long-planned deployment as part of the RFTG will see them transit through the Mediterranean where they will take part in multinational amphibious exercises before moving further east through the Suez Canal for further exercises in the Indian Ocean.
The RFTG will be poised to respond to short-notice tasking across a diverse range of defence activities such as non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid or amphibious operations. This deployment is not linked to events in Libya which involve other elements of the UK Armed Forces.
Commodore John Kingwell, Commander UK Task Group, is embarked aboard flagship HMS Albion. He said:
"With the sailing of this second group, the Response Force Task Group is at full strength, and is ideally suited to respond to the uncertainties and instabilities that currently feature on the international landscape. This Task Group can operate at sea and in the air, and we will now commence a series of exercises to test versatility of this multi-role force."
The largest warship in the Royal Navy, HMS Ocean, is carrying a mixture of support helicopters, Apache attack helicopters and landing craft. These enable her to land Royal Marines, their vehicles and equipment and sustain them as they undertake exercises across the region.
"The Response Force Task Group is at full strength, and is ideally suited to respond to the uncertainties and instabilities that currently feature on the international landscape."
With an internal dock for landing craft, a large flight deck and accommodation for Royal Marines and their equipment, RFA Mounts Bay (like her sister ship Cardigan Bay) is ideally suited to operations the RFTG has been formed to undertake.
RFA Fort Rosalie is a fleet replenishment ship and will supply the RFTG with a range of stores, spares and equipment - anything from a missile to a chocolate bar. RFA Wave Knight is a fast fleet tanker able to provide the other ships with fuel to remain at sea for prolonged periods, greatly enhancing their ability to respond to unexpected events.
Commodore Bill Walworth of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary said:
"Over half the ships in Cougar 11 are from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which highlights our strategic importance to the Royal Navy and our ability to sustain ships and embarked forces for as long as required. With the modern Bay Class landing ships, we are very much at the centre of amphibious operations."
Cougar 11 is to demonstrate the RFTG concept - announced in last year's Strategic Defence and Security Review and at the heart of the UK's maritime contingent capability, the Task Group will be held at very high readiness to respond to unexpected global events.
It highlights the enduring need for the Armed Forces to plan and train for unforeseen events that may occur in parallel with the Defence main effort of current operations.
Initially, the Task Group will demonstrate its amphibious capabilities through multinational exercises in the Mediterranean, before conducting further exercises in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf.
Amphibious Ship Update
Source: Australian Department of Defense
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today provided an update on the Royal Australian Navy’s Amphibious Ship capability.
Purchase of Largs Bay
The Government announced on 6 April that Australia had been successful in its bid to acquire the United Kingdom’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay at a cost of £65 million (approximately $A100 million).
Australia has now signed a Letter of Intent with the UK Government and the first two payments of £22 million each (£44 million or $A66 million in total) have been made on the ship.
A sea-trial of the ship has also been conducted.
The trial was conducted in two phases - a harbour phase (11-17 April) followed by the at-sea phase (18-19 April).
Defence’s final report on the sea-trial confirms that the ship is in good material state.
International shipping firm, Teekay Shipping Australia, thoroughly inspected the ship prior to the submission of Australia’s bid and found that: "the ship presents very well, and from a technical point of view, there are no major defects.”
Teekay was also engaged on the sea trial and have provided an updated report that confirms their previous assessment.
The Government will now give consideration to what modifications are necessary for Australian use of Largs Bay, with such work on the ship subject to Government approval.
The ship remains on track to arrive in Australia by the end of the year in time for it to be operational in Australia in early 2012.
HMAS Tobruk
HMAS Tobruk will be docked in Sydney today for previously announced required maintenance, which is expected to take around two months.
In order to ensure Australia has an amphibious capability during this period, the Australian Government has chartered the long range support ship Aurora Australis from P&O Maritime Services from 8 May 2011 to 30 June 2011, with options for an extension up to a month.
The Aurora Australis is a 94 metre Super Icebreaker. It can carry 700 tonnes of cargo, transport 116 passengers, embark watercraft and support helicopter operations.
The vessel regularly supports Antarctic bases with limited or no port facilities, making it unique among commercial vessels currently available and ideal for humanitarian and disaster relief work.
The charter of this vessel will help ensure that Australia is able to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief incidents over this period.
The lease will cost $3.375 million and will be met from within existing Defence resources.
If required for operations it can be supported by a Guided Missile Frigate as well as Heavy Landing Craft.
The charter of the Aurora Australis is in addition to Australia’s agreement with New Zealand that the New Zealand amphibious lift ship HMNZS Canterbury would be made available as part of the joint Pacific-focused Ready Response Force during Tobruk’s maintenance period, subject to any operational requirements in New Zealand.
HMAS Tobruk is also scheduled for routine maintenance for around a six week period in September and October 2011 to prepare the ship ahead of cyclone season.
Detailed planning is currently underway to ensure Australia has an amphibious capability during this period. Details will be provided closer to that time.
Options under consideration include ongoing cooperation with New Zealand over the use of HMNZS Canterbury, Aurora Australis and a range of commercial options.
International Ice Patrol
Today’s website is International Ice Patrol. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1882 - Commodore Shufeldt (USS Swatara) lands in Korea to negotiate first treaty between Korea and Western power.
1912 - Navy establishes North Atlantic Ice Patrol following RMS Titanic disaster.
1965 - 30th Naval Construction Regiment activated at Danang, Vietnam.
Diorama Idea of the Day
A USCG Wind class cutter is seen through an iceberg. To see the original high resolution photo, click http://www.uscg-iip.org/cms/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=30:shipimages&Itemid=6" TARGET="_blank">here.
Gator
