ROYAL NAVY FLOTILIA VISITS NEW YORK BY RICHARD H. WAGNER (Originally published in The Log, Navy League of the United States, New York Council, Summer 2004) n 1 July 2004, three British Although intended for anti- warships HMS INVINCIBLE submarine duties, INVINCIBLE’S O(RO5), HMS CORNWALL combat experience has been much more (F99), and RFA FORT GEORGE (A like an aircraft carrier’s traditional role. 388) began a six day visit to New York. In 1982, INVINCIBLE sailed with the The three ships were part of an 18-ship British forces that retook the Falkland force that left England on May 6 in order Islands following the Argentine to conduct exercises with U.S. Navy invasion. Although thought by most ships including USS JOHN F. experts to be out-matched, the Sea KENNEDY (CV 67) off the east coast. Harriers acquitted themselves nicely in Before the exercises, INVINCIBLE battles with Argentine air force jets. In (known as “Invince” to her crew) and addition, they provided close support for her escorts paid port calls at Mayport, the ground forces that landed on the Florida and Norfork, Virginia. New islands. More recently, INVINCIBLE York was their final stop before heading has served with distinction in the home and The Log spoke with some of bombing campaign in Bosnia in 1995 the officers and crew at the Passenger and in patrolling the no-fly zone in Iraq Ship Terminal. during 1998 and 1999. INVINCIBLE was originally conceived of as a cruiser that would have a helicopter air-capability. She was to act as the flagship for an antisubmarine warfare group that would operate in the Denmark Straits. The concept evolved so that the ship became a small aircraft carrier (22,000 tons fully loaded with a length of 689 feet) that would carry both helicopters and short take-off and vertical landing Sea Harrier multi-role jets. Three ships were built: INVINCIBLE (1977), ILLUSTRIOUS HMS INVINCIBLE at New York’s Passenger (RO6) (1978), and ARK ROYAL (RO7) Ship Terminal July 2004. (Photo: R.H. (1981). Wagner). Copyright Richard H. Wagner 2004 All rights reserved. This article and the accompanying photograph may only be used by permission. Due to manpower shortages and aircraft building speed as it proceeds funding problems, Britain follows a along the deck, rolls up the steep incline policy of having one carrier in service, of the ski jump and then into the air. one preparing for refit, and one in refit. Landing is done by hovering over the As a result, INVINCIBLE is the only flight deck and gradually lowering the British carrier on active service at the plane to the ship. “It hits with a thump. moment. Sort of a controlled crash,” commented The INVINCIBLE’S air group one member of the air group. normally consists of 12 Sea King Although they have been helicopters and 8 FA2 Sea Harriers. constantly modernized, INVINCIBLE However, this time Royal Air Force GR- and her sisters will probably reach the 7 Harriers were also embarked for part end of their useful lives by 2015. Britain of this voyage. The GR7 is a ground intends to replace them with two carriers attack version of the Harrier and has a that will be about three times as large. larger wing span and other design These ships will carry the short take off variations that allow it to carry a heavier and landing version of the Lockheed F- weapons payload than the FA2. The 35 Joint Strike Fighter and accordingly RAF aircraft had left the ship before she will have a ski jump flight deck. came to New York. However, the ships are being designed so that they could be modified to carry catapult launched-aircraft instead. While the current government is committed to the future carrier program, debates over whether Britain can afford these ships and the future role of the Royal Navy place the program in some doubt. CORNWALL is a Type 22 Batch 3 frigate, which means that she is somewhat longer than the first group of Broadsword-class frigates. She was Royal Navy Sea Harriers on INVINCIBLE’s launched in 1985, has a crew of 250, is flight deck against the backdrop of the New 485 feet long and is 5,300 tons. She York skyline. (Photo: R.H. Wagner). carries a 4.5 inch gun, torpedoes, and Harpoon and Seawolf missiles. The most striking feature of Although she sails with INVINCIBLE Invincible is the ramp or “ski jump” often, she is not considered part of a located at the front end of the flight battle group with INVINCIBLE and her deck. Because it is difficult for Harriers crew expects to part company with the to take off vertically when fully fueled carrier when the ships reach home. and loaded with bombs and/or The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a ammunition, the planes launch private company owned by the British horizontally. The take off begins at the Ministry of Defense. It employs cargo stern end of the flight deck with the ships and tankers manned mostly by 2 Copyright Richard H. Wagner 2004 All rights reserved. This article and the accompanying photograph may only be used by permission. civilians that supply the Royal Navy ships while at sea. The crew of the FORT GEORGE consists of 95 civilians and 15 Royal Navy personnel. She is a gas turbine-powered replenishment ship that was launched in 1993. Her hanger has recently been modified to accommodate the new Merlin helicopter but that aircraft is not yet ready for deployment. FORT GEORGE carries supplies as well as fuel for both ships and aircraft. Because the Royal Navy The Royal Marines beat retreat at sunset on the flight deck. (Photo: R.H. Wagner). likes to keep the carriers fully-fueled, the FORT GEORGE “tops off” INVINCIBLE every few days. Also embarked on INVINCIBLE was a Royal Marine Band who played a concert in lower Manhattan as well as beating retreat onboard at sunset. During the exercises, the musicians assumed their alternative role as medics and tended to U.S. and British “casualties” that were flown onto the ship. In the evenings, the British sailors shed their uniforms to explore New York. This practice allows the sailors to be more casual - - an important consideration in light of the fact that a rating enlists for 22 years (Officers enlist for 12 years). In addition, it makes the sailors a less conspicuous target for terrorists. Sharing the Passenger Ship Terminal with the British were three U.S. Navy mine craft: BLACK HAWK (MHC 53), ROBIN (MHC 54), and KINGFISHER (MHC 56). 3 Copyright Richard H. Wagner 2004 All rights reserved. This article and the accompanying photograph may only be used by permission. .