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(Source: Royal Fleet Auxiliary by Captain E. E. Sigwart.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary by Tony James) |
PAGE FOUR
Background to the Gulf War 1990-1991.
The Gulf region has always been important strategically to the United Kingdom so therefore it has always kept a military presence. Besides the obvious, oil, its always had strong trade links and since oil was first discovered there has always been a large ex-pat community. Since the Second World War all three British Services have been involved in the region in one form or another and often supported by elements of the RFA.
On the 14th of July 1958 the reign of King Fasil of Iraq came to an end when General Kassem overthrew him in a Military led coup.
ALBION
HMS Albion assisted in the deployment of British Troops in the region in support of the threatened King Hussein of Jordan. Three years later HMS Bulwark was back with 6,000 Marines when it was thought Kuwait was about to be invaded, on each of the two occasions ships of the RFA supported both Fleets involved.
With the advent of the Landing Ships Logistics and when six were finally completed two were always kept on the home station, two in the Gulf region and the remaining two out in the Far East.
Twenty years later during the Iran-Iraq War the Armilla Patrol was launched in order to safeguard British interests in the area which included shipping, this Patrol was to continue after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait enforcing UN sanctions.
GULF WAR COMMENCES.
Iraq had invaded Kuwait in August of 1990 wrongly assuming that the outside world would not interfere with his seizing of such a small nation. The free worlds response was as swift as it was decisive and additional ships were added to those Forces already present in the region. The Royal Navy’s presence consisted of HMS Jupiter, York and Battleaxe supported by the Fleet Tanker Orangeleaf, a short while later they were joined by HMS Gloucester. In support of the Americans HMS Ark Royal lead a task group that was dispatched to the Mediterranean escorted by HMS Sheffield, Manchester and Exeter accompanied by Fleet Tanker Olmeda and Fleet Replenishment Ship Regent.
OLMEDA
©I.L.
Built: 1965 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Newcastle.
Tonnage: 18,604 grt.
Engine: Single screw, Geared Turbine by Wallsend Slipway Co, Ltd., 19 Knots.
Launched as Oleander but due to confusion caused by HMS Leander changed her name to Olmeda, a totally fabricated name.
On the 13th of August three minesweepers sailed from Rosyth and their mother ship, Herald, sailed from Plymouth. Within a matter of days Fleet Tanker Olna, Stores Ship Fort Grange, RFA Argus acting as a Primary Casualty Reception Vessel had all sailed from the UK, meanwhile Forward Repair Ship Diligence was redirected from the Falklands to the Gulf.
The United Nations set a deadline for Iraqi withdrawal for the 15th of January 1991 whilst the coalition forces continued to grow. HMS York, Jupiter and Battleaxe were relieved by Cardiff, Gloucester, Brazen and London and Commodore Christopher Craig succeeded Paul Haddocks as Commander of the UK Task Force. HMS Manchester transferred from the Task Group supporting the Americans to that of Commander Paul Haddocks and was replaced by Leander Class Charybdis. As the deadline approached ships within the Task Groups performed exercises in readiness for combat.
APPLELEAF
©I.L.
On the 16th of January the bombing of Iraq and its forces in Kuwait commenced. In a cynical counter attack Hussein fired its Scud Missiles at Israel in an attempt to split the Arab world and provoke the Israeli’s into responding. Due to the American Presidents pledge off assistance in protecting their state by the use of Patriot Missile systems Hussein’s scheme failed and the coalitions forces attacks continued.
As the war in the air continued so did that at sea with the Royal Navy and the United States Navy conducting attacks over the next four weeks using jets and helicopters to sink many Iraqi minelayers, minesweepers and landing craft.
The allied ground war was launched on the 23rd of February and by the 26th had control of Kuwait City, by the 27th a cease-fire was ordered and on the 3rd of March accepted the allies terms for a total cease-fire. Much to the chagrin of General Schwartzkopf the Republican Guard were allowed to escape back to Iraq carrying many Kuwaiti hostages that were never seen again.
The RFA’s input was inestimable not only supporting our own Royal Navy but Navies of the allied fleet also. Diligence assisted in the repair of American warships and Argus treated the wounded. Olna was on hand for most of the conflict briefly sailing to Singapore for maintenance before returning and positioning herself further up the Gulf than any American warship dare go due to mines in the area. Olmeda stored ships in the Mediterranean whilst LSL’s Sir Bedivere, Percivale, Galahad and Tristram transported heavy equipment including tanks.
RESOURCE
©I.L.
Resource carried supplies for 7th Armoured Brigade and upon arrival served in her more traditional role. Later Sir Galahad carried units of Royal Navy divers to assist the minesweepers in the clearance of mines; over 2,000 were laid at sea. Now the conflict was over most of the RFA ships returned home to the UK, others remained to be relieved later whilst some went on station elsewhere on operational duties.
RFA ships regularly do tours of duty, not only on station with Royal Navy ships but with vessels of other Nationalities.
GREY ROVER
©I.L.
MANNING THE FORT
Courtesy Numast’s Telegraph and Andrew Linington.
Fort George was all set for a tour of duty in the Arabian Gulf when it left the UK in January of 2000. But a call to assist in flood relief efforts in Mozambique just weeks later saw the oiler/replenishment vessel break away from the HMS Illustrious Task Group and head south at full speed.
For two hectic weeks the ship and its helicopters delivered more than 530 tonnes of food, fuel and other essential equipment to isolated villages.
The humanitarian relief work of the ships company in Mozambique, and subsequently Sierra Leone, won a commendation from Commander in Chief, Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh-the first time the award has been made to an entire ship.
Numast member Captain Les Coupland received the framed Commendation from the RFA Commodore Peter Lanin at a special ceremony in Plymouth Sound on the 7th of August.
‘Fort George demonstrated her versatility and capability throughout all departments of the ship, often entering and operating in unfamiliar and inadequately chartered areas around the Beira peninsula without the assistance of reliable tugs and pilots,’ the Commendation read. ’Aid was given to countless flood victims by both the 820 Squadron helicopters and the ships own boats,’ it continued. ‘The willing and unselfish way in which all of the ship’s company, whether RFA, STO(N) or RN responded to the unusual and diverse challenges placed upon them was highly creditable.’
Fort George returned to the Mediterranean to rejoin the carrier group in late March, where it took part in multinational exercises as an anti-submarine carrier and fuel and stores supply ship.
But once again the vessel was pressed into active service-this time venturing south to Sierra Leone, where it supported a five ship amphibious group led by HMS Ocean.
Fort George and its crew of 95 RFA personnel, nine RN crew members and 24 civilian stores personnel-with an additional 80 RN aircrew for the helicopter fleet-made regular 500 mile trips to Dakar in Senegal to replenish fresh water and food supplies.
As the Commendation said: ’The ship went immediately into action with the force, ensuring that the most efficient use was made of logistical material held in theatre, initially for the Spearhead ground forces and subsequently for the Royal Marine landing force.’
‘The ship yet again provided a significant and considerable contribution to one of the most successful UK military operations since the Falklands Campaign.’ Praising its ‘exemplary leadership and dedication to duty’, the Commendation concluded: ‘Over a period of almost six months deployed, exemplary leadership and dedication to duty was displayed by the Commanding Officer and Ships Company of Fort George. ‘The ship never failed to meet any demand placed upon her, reflecting great credit on the skills and professionalism of everyone involved.’ Fort George wasn’t the only RFA ship to serve in Sierra Leone, LSL Sir Percivale visited the country as part of the peace keeping mission.
PEACE WORK FOR RFA.
Courtesy Numast’s Telegraph and Andrew Linington
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship Sir Percivale has been playing an important support role in a peace-keeping mission in Sierra Leone. Normally based at Marchwood Port near Southampton, the ship has been berthed in Freetown since June of 2000-providing secure accommodation, stores, and rest and recreation facilities for British forces personnel based ashore.
Capable of providing accommodation, food and other facilities to an embarked force of more than 300 personnel, the 6,207grt vessel is also home to soldiers from the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and a small Royal Marines detachment.
Sir Percivale has also been supporting a mobile MASH-style hospital, erected and operational on the jetty alongside within four days of being delivered in containerised form.
As well as providing direct support to a peace-keeping mission, RFA personnel have also been carrying out building and maintenance work at a local school. Sir Percivale is due to leave Sierra Leone in the middle of April, to be relieved initially by Sir Tristram and subsequently by Sir Geraint.
OAKLEAF
© Crown Copyright MOD
Britain’s biggest-ever maritime safety exercise was staged off the Cornish coast in October of 2000, with a simulated collision between a tanker and a ferry. During the scenario for exercise Kernow, which was held in force eight conditions, the RFA vessel Oakleaf took the role of tanker involved in a collision with the ferry Scillonian 111, south of Penzance.
The exercise envisaged a serious engineroom fire disabling the ferry, together with injuries among its crew and complement of 100 passengers. Helicopters were involved in a search and rescue operation to evacuate the casualties, and Falmouth Coastguard centre coordinated a salvage and clean-up operation to tackle oil split from the tanker.
Exercises of this kind are invaluable in testing the Agency’s search and rescue, counter pollution and salvage procedures during a major incident at sea.
Source: NUMAST
OLNA
©I.L.
Built: 1965 by Hawthorn Leslie & Co, Ltd., Newcastle.
Tonnage: 18,582 grt.
Engine: Single screw, Geared Turbines by Builder, 19 Knots.
Olna arrived at Portsmouth to await final disposal in October of 2000 as the new generation of ship Wave Knight was launched at Barrow-in-Furness.
Extensive sea trials were planned with the vessel scheduled to join the RFA Fleet in early 2002. The 35,000 tonnes fast fleet tanker was the first vessel launched at Barrow in twelve years, and the largest since the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible in 1977.
Wave Knight can carry up to 15,000 tonnes of diesel and aviation fuel and will support Royal Navy Task Groups world wide. The tanker is equipped with three main refuelling rigs and a crane-rig for refuelling smaller vessels.
Source NUMAST.
In November of the same year four RFA ships returned to the UK following major deployments in support of international naval operations. The ‘one-stop’ replenishment vessel Fort Victoria, the support tanker Bayleaf and the forward repair ship Diligence all took part in the Naval Task Group 2000, a seven month round-the-world deployment that involved a wide range of maritime exercises with navies and marines from 22 different countries.
FORT VICTORIA.
©Crown Copyright MOD
During the Naval Task Group 2000, Fort Victoria steamed 36,145 nautical miles and transferred some 16 million litres of fuel to other ships in the task group during 88 separate replenishments at sea and Bayleaf supplied almost 47 litres of fuel during 51 underway RAS. The ships visited a total of 39 foreign and Commonwealth ports. The Diligence set out with Naval Task Group 2000 in a submarine support role and took part in exercises in the Far East before returning to the UK at the beginning of November.
BAYLEAF
©I.L.
BLACKROVER
©I.L.
Also back in Plymouth at the end of November was RFA tanker Black Rover following a 10 month 45,300 mile deployment as the Atlantic Patrol Tanker (North). During this period, the tanker has been supplying the RN Caribbean patrol warship and other countries naval vessels and the crew have helped with relief efforts following hurricane damage.
Source NUMAST
WAVE RULER
©Crown Copyright MOD
Wave Knight’s sister ship Wave Ruler was launched in February of 2001 at BAE Systems Marine’s Govan Shipyard on the Clyde. She to was due to enter service in 2002 and her fuel capacity is the same as that of her sister. She will carry 80 RFA personnel and 22 naval personnel and is equipped not only to supply and refuel Royal Navy ships but those of NATO as well. Her propulsion is provided by diesel-electric and she has a large flight deck and hangar facilities for a Merlin Helicopter and is fitted with a close-in Phalanx weapon system.
Operation Saif Sareea 11.
FORT GRANGE
©I.L.
At the end of 2001 some 750Royal Fleet Auxiliary officers and ratings played a vital support role in the biggest British military deployment since the Falklands war. More than half the RFA fleet took part in Exercise Saif Sareea 11 carrying troops , equipment and supplies to Oman and provided fuel and stores to naval vessels in the Gulf. Ten of the twenty four ships in the UK Maritime Task Group are RFA vessels, with the two RFA strategic heavy lift ships Sea Centurion and Sea Crusader were also engaged in essential support operations-carrying tanks, vehicles and tons of Army equipment from the UK and Germany.
Source NUMAST
HMS FEARLESS & LSL’s SIR GALAHAD, BEDIVERE & TRISTRAM
©Crown Copyright MOD
Four landing ships offloaded Royal Marines and their equipment in Oman, while the supply ships Fort Rosalie and Fort Austin and the support tanker Oakleaf provided food, water, stores, spares, fuel and ammunition at sea and ashore.
The ‘one-stop’ support ship Fort Victoria served as fleet support tanker and supply ship, as well as providing helicopter support, whilst the forward repair ship Diligence acted as Command Ship and provide support for mine countermeasures vessels and submarines. The support tanker Bayleaf which is permanently stationed in the Gulf also took part in the exercise.
Source NUMAST
DILIGENCE, HMS SUPERB AND FORT VICTORIA.
©Crown Copyright MOD
RFA Oiler and Replenishment ship Fort George returned to Plymouth after more than six months on deployment in the Arabian Gulf. Her contribution to the war on terrorism was to replenish fuel and stores on 37 occasions to Royal Navy vessels as well as warships from France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA.
The vessel also carried a flight of Royal Navy Sea King helicopters from 820 Naval Air Squadron and worked with Royal Marines boarding parties to counter suspected terrorists fleeing the region.
During its 39,725 mile voyage the ship visited the ports of Akrotiri (Cyprus), Salalah (Oman), Mahe (Seychelles), Dubai, Fujairah and Malaga. Five RFA’s still remained on station in the Gulf region, they were, Fort Austin, LSL’s Sir Percivale and Tristram, FRS Diligence and Bayleaf.
Source NUMAST
WAVE KNIGHT AND HMS SUTHERLAND
©Crown Copyright MOD
Wave Knight carries out its first warship replenishment at sea linking up with the frigate HMS Sutherland off Plymouth. Built by BAE Systems in Barrow, the 31,500 tonne tanker undertook the RAS as part of its trials before joining the RFA Flotilla. Operating with a crew of 80 RFA and 20 Royal Navy personnel, Wave Knight has a fuel capacity of 16,000 cu mtrs including 3,000 co mtrs of aviation spirit and can also carry 380 cu mtrs of fresh water, 500 cu mtrs of dry cargo and eight 20ft reefer containers.
With a service speed of 18 knots and a range of some 10,000 nautical miles, Wave Knight also features a flight deck and hangar and can operate all types of RN helicopters. The ship is equipped with two 30mm cannon and two Phananx close-in weapons systems and is one of the two new double hull replenishment tankers, the second of which, Wave Ruler, will begin RAS trials shortly.
Source NUMAST
SIR GALAHAD
©Crown Copyright MOD
Sir Galahad was one of four RFA vessels that left Southampton in January of 2003 to join the Royal Navy Task Force headed by HMS Ark Royal.
Loaded with Royal Marines, military vehicles and equipment, the LSL;s Sir Galahad, Sir Percivale and Sir Tristram were joined by aviation support ship RFA Argus, carrying five Sea King helicopters, to form part of the amphibious task group. Argus is also available for use in a secondary role as Primary Casualty Reception Ship.
The ships are sailing with HMS Ocean to the Mediterranean, where a total of nine RFA ships will join up with the Task Force. These include the tanker/stores ship Fort Victoria, the stores ships Fort Austin and Fort Rosalie and the support tankers Orangeleaf and Oakleaf.
Three RFA vessels are already deployed in the Gulf, the fleet support tanker Bayleaf; the landing ship Sir Bedivere and forward repair ship Diligence.
Source NUMAST
BLACK ROVER
Crown Copyright MOD
In early 2003 members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary helped the US Navy and Coastguard with counter drug operations off the coast of Central America. The RFA Black Rover took part in a towing exercise and refuelling-from-stern operation with the USCG cutter Diligence.
Members on the RFA tanker later visited Drake’s Bay, on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, where they re-enacted Sir Francis Drake’s landing in the Bay some 424 years earlier.
Source NUMAST
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM .
British contribution ‘OPERATION TELIC’.
Naval Task Group 2003.
Having exhausted all avenues at the UN the coalition forces attacked Iraq for non-compliance with regards disarmament of their weapons of mass destruction/chemical & biological. American and British Navy’s had deployed in the Gulf region over the preceding weeks and after briefings on the night of the 19th of March the bombings and invasion began.
British Naval forces in the area comprised the Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal, Helicopter Carrier HMS Ocean, Type 42 destroyers HMS Liverpool, Edinburgh and York, Type 23 Frigates HMS Marlborough and Richmond, Mine Hunters HMS Grimsby and Ledbury and the submarine HMS Splendid. In support of the fleet were the following RFA ships, Argus, LSL’s Sir Tristram, Galahad and Percivale, Fort Victoria, Rosalie and Austin and the tanker Orangeleaf. A further 14 Royal Navy and RFA ships are involved in the operation to some extent including Mine Hunters HMS Brocklesby and Blyth and LSL Sir Bedivere is acting as support ship to Counter Mine Measure vessels in the North Arabian Gulf.
Whilst coalition troops headed at breakneck speed for Baghdad and Basra American and British troops attempted to secure the port of Umm Qasr one of the three ports available to Iraq. The other port on the Al Faw peninsular was attacked as was the third port Basra at the north of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. After Marines from 40/42 commando and troops from the 539 Assault Squadron secured the Al Faw peninsular 10 Mine Hunters moved into the Abd Allah Channel to clear a 200 metre wide and 50 mile long channel, they were assisted by Australian, British and American divers.
HMS Sandown clears the way for LSL Sir Galahad.
Crown Copyright MOD
Once the channel had been cleared LSL Sir Galahad escorted by warships proceeded up the channel led by HMS Sandown a Single Role Minesweeper, her arrival had been delayed not only by the mine clearance operation but by bad weather also.
RFA Sir Galahad discharging at Umm Qasr.
Crown Copyright MOD
Galahad arrived during the afternoon of the 28th carrying humanitarian aid comprising rice, lentils, chickpeas, flour bottled water and WHO medical packs. For the passage up the channel Galahad had emptied some of her fuel tanks into another RFA ship to minimise the risks caused by mines and subsequent explosion/fire. A further two Australian ships are expected to follow Galahad in both loaded with wheat and other foodstuffs.
An LSL at Sunset
©Crown Copyright MOD
Argus
©Crown Copyright MOD
Fort Victoria
©Crown Copyright MOD
Fort Victoria and Bayleaf.
©Crown Copyright MOD
Percivale coming alongside
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