(August 14th 2001)
MCMV Task Force Departs
A group of mine countermeasures vessels left Portsmouth on 14 August 2001 as the lead element of the Royal Navy's largest deployment since the Falklands conflict in 1982.
The deployment is named Argonaut 01, and will see a total of 8,500 personnel, 24 ships and two nuclear submarines sail via the Mediterranean for the Gulf, where they will play a leading role in Saif Sareea II, a major exercise being conducted with the Royal Omani Armed Forces. During the five month deployment, ships from the Task Group will visit some 27 countries in Europe, the Middle East, East Africa and India.
Rear Admiral James Burnell-Nugent will command the Task Group aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, which will embark a Joint Force Harrier air group of Fleet Air Arm Sea Harriers and RAF GR7 Harriers. The force also includes a large amphibious task group, with troops from 3 Commando Brigade, centred on the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean.
The mine countermeasures group comprises HM Ships Cattistock and Quorn (both Hunt class minehunters), Inverness and Walney (both Sandown class minehunters), and, as support ships, the survey vessel HMS Roebuck and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary repair ship Diligence.