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(Source: Royal Fleet Auxiliary by Captain E. E. Sigwart.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary by Tony James) |
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At the end of March 2003 no declaration that hostilities had ended was forthcoming from the Coalition ground Commanders. At this time 14 Royal Fleet Auxiliaries were still employed in the region manned by 900 merchant seafarers. Fleet Tanker Grey Rover, Support Tankers Bayleaf, Brambleleaf and Orangeleaf all supplying fuel to the warships still on patrol with Fleet Replenishment ships Fort Austin and Fort Rosalie providing food, stores and ammunition. AOR Fort Victoria remained on station as did the aviation ship Argus, four Landing Ship Logistics, repair ship Diligence and the strategic sealift RO-RO Sea Crusader.
Galahad landing stores by helicopter.
© Crown Copyright MOD
A certain amount of confusion as to who’s responsible for what still appears to be present with ships from the coalitions navy i.e., U.K, the U.S, Australia and New Zealand sharing sea space with those present under the auspices of Operation Enduring Freedom, these are made up of French, German, Spanish, Italian, Canadian and Greek vessels. The warships ships have the right to stop any merchant ships of any nationality in the fight against global terrorism and they patrol areas including the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Argus seen from a patrolling Seaking helicopter.
© Reuters
HECATE
©I.L.
TORMENTOR
©I.L.
Any information on the two vessels above would be greatly appreciated.
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