News DECEMBER 1994
40p
DOING a double act in HMS Exeter — currently on her second Gulf deployment this year — are sisters Jan (left) and Mags Kendall. To add to the confusion both are rated Operatic Mechanic (Abovewater Warfare) 1st Class. They will be spending Christmas in Mombassa, where four members of the Type 42 destroyer's ship's company have weddings planned.
MEANWHILE Captain Roger Parker was pictured mixing in a generous double tot into HMS Excellent's Christmas duff, assisted by the youngest member of his ship's company, WETS Catherine Bowie and AB David Fern and cook Malcolm Shotton of Aramark Contractors.
Power projected by two old pros 'Reso' and Splendid: a last look at the Royal Navy's first Polaris submarine — and (inset) an unusual spot of a 'nuke' sporting "a parasol. See page 16. —
TWO OF HMS Invincible's Sea Harrier aircraft returned safely to the ship after being fired upon while on combat air patrol over Bosnia. Two surface-to-air missiles were launched at the aircraft as they flew 15 miles to the east of Bihac in eastern Bosnia. The attack came less than a day operations commander, agreed it had been after NATO air forces were used to "a close shave" but that the pilots had ably destroy the Udbina airfield in nearby carried out standard avoiding action and Croatia which had been used as a base had successfully completed their mission. Invincible arrived in the Adriatic three for Serb aircraft responsible for air atmonths ago, her primary role being to suptacks in the Bihac area. port British forces ashore and take part in The aircraft of 800 Naval Air Squadron were flying in line ahead formation at high altitude when they were "locked on" by ground based radar tracking systems. Two missiles were then fired at the aircraft and were seen to pass between them. Talking after the aircraft had returned safely, Cdr Michael Knowles, the ship's air
Deny Flight operations over Bosnia. These duties have meant an extremely high work load for all on board. The carrier air group has carried out hundreds of Sea Harrier patrols with Sea King helicopters providing radar cover and logistic support.
• Turn to back page
When peace broke out I WHERE were you on VE Day? If you were a serving member of the Royal Navy or I Royal Marines in the European theatre of operations, Navy News would like to I know what you were doing at the end of Hitler's war. We plan to publish selected reminiscences in our April issue to mark the 50th (anniversary of the victory. Please do not send any photographs at this stage, but I we shall be grateful if those responding to our appeal could indicate whether they I had any relevant pictures that they would be willing to make available for publication. All such material submitted will be returned. Please mark your envelopes "VE Day Issue" and send them to The Editor, Navy INews, Leviathan Block, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 3HH.