(October 26th 2001)
Naval Force Committed
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram has announced the commitment of a flotilla of British warships and auxiliaries to the war against terrorism, together with a force of 200 Royal Marine Commandos.
The vessels and the marines are already in the region as part of Exercise Saif Sareea, but as other units return home they will remain behind, under the command of Rear Admiral James Burnell-Nugent.
The force comprises of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, the veteran assault ship HMS Fearless, the frigate HMS Cornwall and the destroyer HMS Southampton. They will be supported by seven Royal Fleet Auxiliaries - the landing vessels RFA Sir Tristram and RFA Sir Precivale, the stores ships RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Fort Rosalie, the tankers RFA Brambleleaf and RFA Bayleaf and the forward repair ship RFA Diligence.
The Royal Marines will be based aboard the assault ship HMS Fearless. The 200 strong force is initially drawn from Bravo Company, 40 Commando, but is likely to be rotated as time passes.
HMS Illustrious will be converted for helicopter operations so that the marines and their equipment can be transported into Afghanistan when the need arises. The two week process will see Illustrious stripped of her usual complement of sixteen Harrier jets. She will then embark sixteen Sea King helicopters, transferred from HMS Ocean.
Comments have been made regarding the suitability of HMS Fearless for this operation, as she is now over forty years old. One high ranking marine who will be stationed aboard her told the Daily Mail:
"Everyone jokes about the Taliban using outdated kit and then we end up using a ship like this...although she's had a number of refits, we're hardling talking 21st Century warfare".
The suitbaility of HMS Illustrious for helicopter operations has also been questioned, but the Royal Navy's dedicated helicopter carrier - HMS Ocean - has had to return to Devonport for an urgent refit.
It is reported that HMS Illustrious and HMS Fearless will remain on station until the Afghan Spring arrives in March 2002. They will then be replaced by the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and by the newly refitted HMS Ocean, which together will be able to embark a much larger contingent of commandos.