MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (RN001/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service.
Under the clear
blue skies of the Mediterranean, the eleven ships of the Royal
Navy's TAURUS 09 deployment line up, led by the Flagship HMS Bulwark.
The Task Group sailed from the UK in February. It aims to
maintain the Royal Navy's fighting capability as well as
develop the UK's capacity to operate with key partners and
allies from NATO countries and other nations, enhancing
interoperability and demonstrating the UK's commitment to the
stability and security of the Mediterranean, Middle East and South
East Asia. In exercising its ability to deploy globally, the Task
Group is conducting a wide range of activities, including maritime
security operations, and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare.
Speaking from his
Flagship, Commodore Peter Hudson, Commander UK Amphibious Task
Group (COMATG) said:
"Amphibious operations are extremely complex and require
considerable planning and slick execution, something that the
Royal Navy excels at. We seize every opportunity to keep
ourselves fresh and the space, both afloat and ashore, that
something like TAURUS give us, is vital. This kind of
multi-discipline, joint training is particularly important for 40
Commando who are re-sharpening their skills afloat after their
recent operational tour in Afghanistan."
Under the command of Commodore Peter Hudson, the Task Group
comprises 9 ships, including a US Navy destroyer, one nuclear
powered submarine, 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 and support helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton and RAF Odiham.
French Navy ship Dupleix departed the Task Group today after a
successful three week integration period. TAURUS 09 will be joined
by ships, troops and aircraft from other nations as it transits
towards South East Asia.
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.
TAURUS 09 is split into two phases:
The current Phase One involves amphibious training with nations
in the Mediterranean. A WADER exercise has just been successfully
completed in Cyprus where the amphibious ships of the Task Group
rehearsed the insertion of land forces ashore.
Phase Two will see a reduced Task Group deploy through the Suez
Canal, culminating in a multi-national training package in the
primary jungles of Brunei. Riverine training will also be
conducted with the Bangladeshi Navy, the first such interaction in
more than a decade.
The Task group will remain available for a range of potential
maritime security missions such as delivering humanitarian aid,
disaster relief, counter narcotic and counter piracy tasks.
The Task Group is expected to return in August 2009.
ENDS
Front facing photograph (by LA (Phot) Shaun Barlow)
shows:
HMS Bulwark spearheading Task Group
formation.
following behind (left to right):
second row:
HMS Argyll, HMS Ocean, RFA Fort Austin, HMS Somerset
third
row: FNS Dupleix, RFA Mounts Bay, RFA Wave Ruler, RFA Lyme Bay,
USS Mitscher
rear: Submarine HMS Talent.
Additional Information:
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*
RFA MOUNTS BAY
RFA
LYME BAY
RFA WAVE RULER*
RFA FORT AUSTIN
1 x Trafalgar
Class submarine
* denotes units involved in Phase Two
Engagement/Exercises will be conducted with countries including:
Malta, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, India,
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.
WADER: Exercise CYPRUS WADER put some of the Royal Navy's
largest ships through their paces, practising the delivery of Land
Forces and their equipment ashore in a series of beach raids.
Royal Navy divers have also exercised their beach reconnaissance
and clearance skills.
Notes to Editors:
For further information, interview requests or details on
opportunities to join the deployment, please contact Lt Lindsey
Ashwood RN embarked in HMS Bulwark on 07717 727227 email 243-comatgmedia@a.dii.mod.uk