Gunline Aug08.qxd:Gunline 9/9/08 19:15 Page 1 Gunline - The First Point of Contact Published by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service September 2008 www.rfa.mod.uk Queen’s Colour onths of careful planning Mculminated in the formal presentation of the Queen’s Colour by the Earl of Wessex onboard RFA LARGS BAY on 18 July 2008. From the initial announcement months earlier, every eventuality was brainstormed, risk assessed and cross checked, including the angle of the gangway, the provision of grandstand seating, security and media coordination. VVIP requirements were forwarded and scrutinised. The supply and organising of food and drink, from service and non service sources led to the production of over 18,000 canapés by the CPO(CK) and team and service was enhanced by the HMS RALEIGH instructors and trainees. The weather stayed dry for the ceremony, and the cool wind was not enough to blow hats off or calm the drinks and canapés, with the TAS the day the huge success that it was, but inner excitement of the day! The providing a welcome wind break. the award of the Colour is reflected in Colour Party and RFA Platoon Guests came from all branches of the the achievements of all connected with conducted their part in the Services, RFA ships in Port and HQ and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, past and Ceremonial with pride and shore side staff. Old acquaintances were present, and the best accolade to stand professionalism, and the assembled renewed, stories told, and all joined in up for in the future. guests shared that spirit with them. with pride at the honour and celebration After the formal ceremony VVIP at the recognition. Mike Palmar guests were escorted to a reception on Much effort was put in, by many First Officer RFA the bridge, and the other guests individuals, from HQ and Agencies, PRO hosted on the Container deck, offered RALEIGH and LARGS BAY to make RFA LARGS BAY ROYALROYAL FLEETFLEET AUXILIARYAUXILIARY COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY WEBSITEWEBSITE ForFor ServingServing MembersMembers,, theirtheir FamilyFamily andand FriendsFriends INFORMATION ADVICE COMMUNICATION www.rfacom.mod.uk Gunline Aug08.qxd:Gunline 9/9/08 19:15 Page 2 2 - Gunline From the Commodore… RFA LARGS BAY RETURNS his is the last our needs that were themselves being Ttime I shall driven by new technology and FA LARGS BAY with 815 danger to the Ships Company or the write to you in capabilities. We still had ships crewed RSquadron (215 Flight) from RNAS vessel, all hands were brought to Gunline as your by Seychellois, Maltese and Hong Kong Yeovilton embarked is returning to the Emergency Stations to effect damage Commodore and I Chinese under British officers which was UK following a highly successful seven repairs and carry out a one hundred do so with mixed a mirror of shrinking empire and the month deployment to the Western percent search of every compartment, emotions, for wider Merchant Navy practice. The flow Atlantic and Caribbean. Her first checking the watertight integrity of the although I shall of people from RFA to MN and back APT(N) patrol was tasked to provide vessel and all major systems. miss all of you, I again was easy and common, in fact after support to British Overseas Territories Fortunately, after temporary repairs am pleased to leave behind a Service that I struggled through Second Mate’s ticket and to assist in the joint international and independent survey by the local has risen to many challenges and in London I went off to try the UK effort in the disruption of the flow of Lloyds surveyor, the ship was passed continues to earn immense respect at coastal trade carrying coal from Ayr in narcotics from South America to safe and proceed to sea the next day. home and around the world. When I retire Scotland to the power station in on 30 September it will be some 39 years Barnstaple. I lasted just 1 month! Europe and the USA. A significant Largs Bay supported a visit to the after I first joined the RFA, albeit I spent a Shortly afterwards I tried my hand at the highlight of the deployment being the area by Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope couple of years in the commercial world – recovery of marine aggregates for just seizure of 575kg of cocaine, worth well KCB OBE; Commander in Chief more of which later. short of 2 years, in the southern North in excess of £20 Million at street value. which included passage from Port of I had finished 3 years at Nautical Sea, mainly because I wanted to be Additionally, Largs Bay in its multi Spain, Trinidad to Bridgetown, School and finally realised a long-held nearer the lady who was to become my functional role was involved in co- Barbados. There, Largs Bay was the ambition to go to sea. So 1969 was an wife. Great experience and one that operative exercises with other navies venue for high profile lunch for local exciting year not only because man had really broadened my understanding of and armed forces of the countries dignitaries and other VIP’s. Before taken his first steps on the moon but also, the commercial sector, but I returned to surrounding the Caribbean theatre. departing, Sir Mark gave the ship a young Bob Thornton had set foot on an my niche in the RFA for there was Having undergone disaster relief large thumbs up and thanked everyone RFA for the first time. You may or may something quite different and special training in October 2007, Largs Bay for their first class help & hospitality. not be aware, that the RFA received a about the Service. was ready to offer support to any Largs Bay is designed to carry an new ensign at the Fleet Review in Torbay I am being honest when I point out dependant territory needing assistance. Embarked Military Force of 356 fully in that year. This ensign differed from that the RFA did not always enjoy the Fortunately, Largs Bay was not called equipped troops however this number the previous one in that the admiralty highest of reputations for a variety of into action for this scenario but her can be doubled in war ‘overload’ anchor was turned through 90 degrees to reasons. I do not need to go into the presence in the area is designed to offer conditions. As well as transporting the upright position. The harbour tugs detail, but suffice to say that those days islanders an assurance that the troops, Largs Bay can carry 32 and salvage ships retained the horizontal are long past. We currently enjoy a very capability is there for use if required. Challenger Main Battle Tanks a vast anchor and became the RMAS, an high reputation across the world and this During the deployment, the ships array of other military vehicles and 12 organisation that recently hauled down is due to you, the people of the RFA. I company of Largs Bay assisted in the x 40 or 24 x 20 TEU containers it’s ensign for the last time. The RFA on have observed and always tried to training of the Defence Forces of Largs Bay has the aviation the other hand was getting to grips with contribute to change both afloat and various Islands in skills such as capability to transport and operate two 6 LSLs acquired to support the ashore, for managed evolution is the very amphibious operations and ship medium (EH101 Merlin size) and Amphibious Task Group (BULWARK, essence of our survival as an entity. I am handling exercises. These included Chinook helicopters, having power FEARLESS, INTREPID), and the new proud that I have contributed to our Forces from Jamaica, Barbados and available for starting and servicing the “OLNA”, “NESS” and “REGENT” class history and immensely pleased and Martinique. The ship’s company even aircraft, and the ability to re-fuel them of ships, designed and built to support satisfied with what has been achieved in the new aircraft carriers, that were the past few years, particularly in our had time to stage a football match on deck and in-flight. Whilst sufficient subsequently cancelled. Also appearing recruitment, selection and training. against the Trinidad & Tobago Defence flight deck space exists to on the scene were the first three of the There are marked changes in our Force two weeks before the national simultaneously operate two Merlin’s, new ROVER class of small fleet tankers identity, our esprit de corps and our side would play against David Beckham the class will initially have only one with a couple more to come. professionalism. When I first joined we and Co in their National Stadium. fully serviceable operating spot. An It is interesting to think that as I take simply provided fuel and stores at sea Largs Bay found a home from home aircraft shelter has been added since my last step in uniform on an RFA, we and I saw little or no contemporary in Willemstad on the Dutch Antilles her introduction into service. have just received the Queen’s Colour warfare knowledge or abilities; there was Island of Curacao. Spending nearly five Largs Bay’s design includes a dock and we are getting to grips with the new little connection with defence objectives weeks in the islands highly professional able to accommodate a single LCU “BAY” class of ships, (equivalent to 9 and expectations were limited. As I dockyards for much needed Assisted Mk10 or 2 LCVP LSLs) designed and built to support the retire, I see a highly capable Service, Maintenance, this after steaming more Mk5. Two Mexeflote powered rafts Amphibious Task Group (OCEAN, with increasing high professional than 15000 nautical miles on patrol.