World

845 – THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD

B Flight of 845 NAS is currently deployed in RFA FORT VICTORIA (FTVR) as the Commando Aviation Detachment (CAD) of the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Written By: Lt H B Saunders RN

Op FORTIS is the largest Task Group deployed by the Royal Navy in recent memory, marking a radical change in the way that UK maritime aviation is deployed.

The majority of the Fight embarked FTVR while she sat alongside in Faslane, with the Merlin Mk4’s of the CAD joining a few days later as she approached the South Coast of the UK. As the rest of the CSG prepared to ship from Portsmouth, a fire on board FTVR forced a last-minute

relocation of the CAD to HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH (QNLZ).

History appeared to repeat itself as nearly 50 years ago B Flight deployed on the aircraft carrier HMS ALBION to the Far East, where they saw action in the dense foliage of Borneo and gave birth to the nickname ‘Junglies’. Remaining flexible with a can-do attitude, in difficult and constantly evolving circumstances, is part of the Junglie reputation and has ensured the preservation of operational output. This is thanks in no small part to the efforts of the B Flight engineers.

LAET Clucas, B Flight avionics engineer remarked:

“So far on Op FORTIS, the engineers have been busy with a range of engineering challenges which have included a generator fail, flying control restrictions and a rejected main gearbox, to name but a few. On top of that, the short notice move to QNLZ from FTVR, with minimal maintenance equipment, made things a little tricky.

“However, we took this in our stride and made sure an aircraft was available for tasking during a busy tempo. Our return to FTVR coincided with a muchwelcomed break in Cyprus. Our return to FTVR did however require a small team of two engineers to remain with the aircraft on QNLZ, whilst a replacement gearbox was arranged in the UK.

“As we approached our next port visit, an additional seven engineers returned to QNLZ to begin the replacement of the unserviceable gearbox. A challenging endeavor on land, let alone on a very busy aircraft carrier. Op FORTIS is the first deployment for many of the Air Engineering Technicians (AET) on board and we are looking forward to hopefully having some more runs ashore to experience the local cultures.”

It takes all types and trades to keep a deployment ticking; the CAD brings with it a chef, aircraft handlers, Survival Equipment (SE) specialists, logistics, Royal Navy Police and an armourer, bringing the total complement of support personnel to seventy-five. The addition of these personnel to B Flight allow Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) units to deploy as self-sustaining units. Improving their ability to remain flexible to rapidly changing situations, as demonstrated early in the deployment with our short notice move to QNLZ. The small team of seven aircraft handlers have found FTVR has not afforded them the same luxury QNLZ had with her large flight deck and vast hangars. However, this did not prevent LH Edney and his team make best use of the limited space available on FTVR.

“Our daily struggle is getting the aircraft in and out of the hangar that was built for a Sea King, meaning we do not get much room for error, approximately three inches either side. As a team we also managed to squeeze in a third Merlin in the port side hangar, an achievement many said could not be done due to the fuel farm blocking our path,

we managed this without removing any aircraft parts and a lot faith in each other’s keen eye.” LH Edney.

The unique addition of CHF chef AB Elias to B Flight and his integration within the ship’s catering team, ensures the detachment remain fed whilst operating at unsociable hours and outside of the ships mealtimes.

“During Op FORTIS, I have worked within RFA FORT VICTORIA’s catering services department, supporting 845 NAS operations. The engineers and aircrew can often work late into the night, so it’s my job to keep them happy and fed outside of traditional working hours.

“The deployment has been really enjoyable so far, visiting Sicily and Cyprus makes the hard work worth it. I’m very much looking forward to visiting countries in the Far East and trying their local cuisine. During my downtime onboard, I’ve enjoyed using the gym, catching up with TV and generally chilling out, ready to go again the next day.” AB Elias.

Throughout B Flight’s predeployment training and into Op FORTIS, the SE maintainers have been kept busy with the large amount of kit associated with Search and Rescue (SAR) as we have looked to hone our skills. LSET Spencer commented of his time so far:

“With only a small team of three SE’s we have been kept busy, not only since departing on Op FORTIS but also during the preparations back at RNAS Yeovilton. We had lots of new kit along with some unexpected fastballs, but when the deployment started, we were in a good position. Op FORTIS has been the first big deployment for the three of us and having recently joined a

CHF squadron it’s been a new experience for us all! 845 NAS have been heavily focused on SAR which, for us, means lots of maintenance. Whilst on QNLZ we were mainly focused on getting the Aircrew operational – this consisted of us dealing with kit which is quite new to us including radios and life rafts.”

B Flight have flown over 300hrs so far supporting Defence Engagement events, sharpening SAR skills and exercising with troops as well as moving routine passengers mail and cargo (PMC). One sortie alone, working with counterparts from 820 NAS saw 66 loads, totaling around 30 tonnes, distributed between the ships of the task group. Having recently received his wings and now on his first deployment, PO ACMN Hulme has found Op FORTIS to be anything but ordinary:

“I have found that no two days have been quite the same in the last few months. We have been called upon to facilitate the movement of essential stores to wherever they may be required and, as such, I have found myself on almost every ship in the task group.

“Along with our requirement to move vast amounts of passengers, mail and cargo, we have also been required to regularly stand up as Task Group Search and Rescue. As a result, we have undertaken plenty of intense SAR training as both the Winch Operator

and Winch Man. I have been able to enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South China Sea and various other spots on our travels. On top of this we have also conducted VERTREP, gunnery, VIPTAX and CASEVAC sorties ensuring that the life of a Junglie Aircrewman on Op FORTIS can never be said to be monotonous!’

Where the CAD works hard, it also plays hard, and opportunities for some down time at sea with the opening of the QNLZ flight deck for sporting activities included clay pigeon shooting, American football and cricket to name but a few. Despite the uncertain times, the port visits in Sicily and Cyprus have afforded the detachment the opportunity to leave the ship for a few days and explore what each country has to offer.

After the Task Group sailed from Cyprus and headed for the Red Sea, the CAD was returned to FTVR and has seen out the rest of the deployment, so far, embarked in her. Having transited the Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and Malacca Straits, thoughts now turn to the third port visit on the small Pacific island of Guam.

The most eastern point on the deployment and the greatest time zone change, now nine hours ahead of the UK. As the CSG passes through the contested waters of the South China Sea, B Flight continues to support Op FORTIS anytime, anywhere. From movements of supplies and personnel keeping the Task Group operating, to providing SAR at a moment’s notice to help those in need, the Commando Aviation Detachment remains ready.