Army Apache helicopters have joined Navy Sea King, Merlin and Lynx helicopters onboard HMS Illustrious for two weeks in the Gulf as part of the ongoing Cougar 13 deployment. The Apache helicopters from 656 Squadron 4 Regiment Army Air Corps joined Illustrious in the waters off the United Arab Emirates as she took part in Exercise Sea Khanjar before then returning to the UK. … [Read more...]
Royal Navy concludes bilateral exercise with Omani forces
The Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group, currently deployed on Cougar 13, has successfully completed a six day exercise, Omani Cougar, with the Royal Omani Armed Forces. The maritime exercise tested the full integration of the Royal Navy and Royal Navy of Oman by conducting conventional maritime warfare serials, as well as amphibious training with Royal Marines from 42 … [Read more...]
Owl’s About This Then?
It may not have been a pea green boat but an owl has definitely gone to sea in a steely grey warship. And the pussy cat has slightly bigger claws in the shape of Cougar 13 – the Royal Navy’s annual workout of the Response Force Task Group operating in the Mediterranean and Gulf. It was during their busy operations and while working off the coast of Yemen that eagle-eyed … [Read more...]
British Warships in Gulf Exercise
Sailing together in a powerful display of might, British warships have taken part in their first major exercise in the Gulf since passing through the Suez Canal last week. Three Royal Navy ships – Fleet Flagship HMS Bulwark, helicopter and commando carrier HMS Illustrious and Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster joined with three warships from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Royal … [Read more...]
Royal Navy helicopter carrier ‘invades’ north Devon
The Royal Naval warship HMS Illustrious is another step closer to completing the transformation from aircraft carrier to assault ship. The ship is in the final stages of operational sea training in the South-West, and has spent the past few days launching a series of amphibious attacks by Royal Marines to prove itself in the new role of commando carrier. The ship’s amphibious … [Read more...]
Culdrose aircraft fly from HMS Illustrious again
Merlins of 820 Naval Air Squadron from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have joined HMS Illustrious in the Channel for seven weeks in the hands of the Navy’s most exacting training organisation, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). Fresh from a £40m refit, HMS Illustrious has begun two months of intensive training off the South Coast and when the training is complete, the … [Read more...]
