14 NAVY NEWS, JULY 2008
Tanker, conference cent
A
S IF there were not
straightforward replenishment during their arduous journey.
enough tankers in
operation and it made a pleasant From an ersatz tanker to the
the region already,
change for us to be the delivery real thing as one of the Britain’s
ship on this occasion.” two Wave-class ships took over
HMS Chatham has Chatham – home of rodent-of- from the veteran RFA Bayleaf.
joined in on the act.
letters and super-mascot Mighty mascot Mighty RFA A WWave Knight, Knig making
The current flagship of
Mouse – also acted as d as her debher debuut east of
Combined Task Force 158
a floating conference nce Suez,Suez, is the cur is rent
centre for a meeting ng Arabian Gulf Ready Arabian
(CTF 158) is at the head of
between the heads of of Tanker,anker, offering
a flotilla of Allied warships
the Iraqi and Kuwaiti 14,000 tonnes of fuel 14,000 to
keeping a protective watch navies and the Kuwaiti aiti to coalition shipsto coalition .
on the Iraqi Al Basrah and Coast Guard. But she is more But s
Khawr Al Amaya offshore oil
The high- servicvice station than
terminals.
profile event – the fuel pumpfuel p , as she
The ships are supported by
first since 1991 can also procan vide
a number of auxiliaries, such
– was designed aavviai tion fuel,
as the RFA’s Wave Knight, and
to introduce fresh wfre ater and
there are a number of ports in
a series of dry stores when y
the region which could top up
maritime required,req and
a ship.
protocols although she is alth
But at a meeting between all
to improve a vital element a v
the ships’ captains of CTF 158,
co-operation in the Roin th yal navy
Chatham’s Commanding Officer
and co-ordination presence in theprese
Cdr Martin Connell offered
between the two region,ion, she is also
to refuel the American Coast
countries, and toto there to help whenthere to
Guard cutter Monomoy, thereby
improve safety andd required,id be it Brb itish,
avoiding a lengthy break from
security for mariners in the Australian, New Zealand or any
patrol duties to refuel elsewhere.
region. other Allied ship which comes
Accordingly, the Monomoy
To mark the occasion Cdre calling.
secured alongside the
Duncan Potts, in command of Wave Knight’s Commanding
Devonport-based Type 22 frigate
CTF 158, said: “The Iraqi and Officer, Capt Rob Dorey RFA,
and fuel was transferred, the size
Kuwaiti Navy have been trying said that their predecessor, the
of the American ship meaning
to meet like this for some time; tanker Bayleaf, had become
Chatham – which took over from
in this case CTF 158 made it a familiar sight in the region
sister ship HMS Campbeltown
happen. during her seven-year stint.
earlier this year – hardly noticed
“I think warm relationships But Wave Knight, being a
the difference.
were established and we were much newer ship, could offer a
The time the two vessels
also able to start to put in greater capacity, a larger flight
spent together also allowed the
place some confidence-building deck, more varied stores and
respective ship’s companies to
measures for the Kuwaiti Navy, much-improved performance in
exchange banter and ‘gizzets’
Coast Guard and the Iraqi Navy terms of sheer horsepower.
to use in their congested water. Speaking of their operations
(gifts).
“All this must be good for prior to arriving in the Gulf,
Of the unusual RAS Cdr
regional security and stability Capt Dorey added: “It has been
Connell said: “We are always
between two neighbours.” a fantastic period really; one of
looking for innovative ways
Mighty Mouse and his the big benefits of operating with
for the Coalition to conduct
shipmates have also welcomed a task group is that our basic
our business in the Northern
hundreds of unscheduled visitors skills have been finely honed.”
Arabian Gulf.
in the past few weeks. Wave Knight’s ship’s company
“This was a very
The ships and oil platforms include all of the necessary skills
● (Top) Royal Marines from make an ideal pit stop for birds to perform her task as a tanker,
HMS Campbeltown on migrating north from Asia and as well as an array of other
boarding operations in the Africa. personnel who allow her to
Gulf. (Left) AB Stevenson on And apart from the scientific operate as an independent unit.
Above Water Force Protection interest – more than 70 species This includes chefs,
duties on board RFA Cardigan have been recorded – there is a administrators, engineers and
Bay; the landing ship’s main chance to see some breeds a lot deck officers to guide the ship
task is to train Iraqi Navy and closer than normal as exhausted safely wherever she is required.
Marines personnel birds have flopped on to sailors’ Because of her young age,
Pictures: LA(Phot) Chris Winter head, hands and feet for a rest design and improved reliability
0014-015_NN_jul.indd 114-015_NN_jul.indd 1 220/6/08 13:17:520/6/08 13:17:52
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