Taurus 09

Last updated
Royal Marines practise rapid roping from a Lynx helicopter onto the deck of Bulwark at sea in the Indian Ocean, 16 April 2009 Rapid Roping on HMS Bulwark MOD 45150172.jpg
Royal Marines practise rapid roping from a Lynx helicopter onto the deck of Bulwark at sea in the Indian Ocean, 16 April 2009

Taurus 09 was a Royal Navy deployment in 2009. It was the largest for 10 years, involving a maximum strength of 3,300 Royal Navy personnel working from 7 Royal Navy vessels and 4 Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. One ship each from the US and French navies also accompanied the deployment.

Contents

The task group departed Britain in February and called at Cyprus where elements took park in Operation Cyprus Wader, practicing beach landings. In April the task group paricipated in Exercise Egemen, a NATO amphibious training operation in Turkey, alongside Turkish, Dutch and Belgian personnel. A reduced task group proceeded East of Suez, where underwater warfare exercises were carried out in the Arabian Sea. Elements took part in exercises in Bangladesh, marking the first time the Royal Navy had trained with that nation's navy for ten years. Royal Marines from the task group then took part in jungle warfare training in Brunei. The deployment ended in August when the last British vessels returned to Devonport.

Background

Vice Admiral Mel Williams speaks with members of the crew of USS Mitscher on 26 January 2009, the day before her deployment to Taurus 09. US Navy 090126-N-9985W-026 Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr., Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, speaks with the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57).jpg
Vice Admiral Mel Williams speaks with members of the crew of USS Mitscher on 26 January 2009, the day before her deployment to Taurus 09.

Taurus 09 was the largest Royal Navy deployment for more than ten years. [1] It centred on the Amphibious Task Group and was intended as a demonstration of the significant expansion of amphibious warfare capability in the navy since the end of the Cold War. [2] It was also intended to refresh the traditional sea-fighting capability of the Royal Marines at a time when many were deployed on land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. [3] Another goal was to develop the Royal Navy's capability of working alongside NATO allies and forces from other nations and to demonstrate the UK's commitment to security in the Mediterranean region. [4]

The deployment included the Royal Navy vessels Bulwark (assault ship), Ocean (landing platform helicopter), Argyll and Somerset (frigates), Echo (survey ship) and Trafalgar and Talent (fleet submarines). It also included the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels Mounts Bay and Lyme Bay (landing ships dock), Wave Ruler (tanker) and Fort Austin (stores ship). The US Navy's destroyer Mitscher and the French Navy's frigate Dupleix also participated. Personnel deployed included 40 Commando and 539 Raiding Squadron of the Royal Marines and the Fleet Diving Unit. Aerial assets came from 857 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King helicopters fitted for airborne surveillance and control), 820 Naval Air Squadron (AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin helicopters), the Commando Helicopter Force and No. 18 Squadron RAF (Chinook helicopters). [5] [6] [7] Before the deployment some units took part in amphibious warfare training in Cornwall as part of Exercise South-West Sword. [7] The Commander Amphibious Task Group at the start of the deployment was Commodore Peter Hudson. [8]

Mediterranean portion

Bulwark departing Devonport for the deployment, 18 February 2009 HMS Bulwark Sails for the Far East MOD 45149912.jpg
Bulwark departing Devonport for the deployment, 18 February 2009

Ocean deployed for Taurus 09 on 18 February, leaving her role as the high-readiness helicopter carrier in British waters. She carried 40 Commando and the naval elements of the helicopter force. [6] From 27 February 2009 elements of the deployment, including Bulwark, Argyll, Somerset and Dupleix visited Malta. [8] In March Bulwark and Ocean, with 40 Commando, participated in Operation Cyprus Wader, practicing beach landings in Cyprus. [9]

In April the ships of Taurus 09 took part in Exercise Egemen, a NATO amphibious training operation in Turkey. [6] Egemen included operations alongside US troops as well as Dutch and Belgian troops operating from the Dutch landing platform docks Johan de Witt and Rotterdam. Turkish personnel operated on reconnaissance tasks from HMS Argyll. The Royal Marines were deployed ashore from Ocean, Mounts Bay and Lyme Bay and operated for five days of simulated assaults and resupply operations alongside their Dutch and Belgian allies. The exercise was commanded from Bulwark. [10] The exercise included deployment of Offshore Raiding Craft by 539 Assault Squadron, including two of the then new gunboat variants. [11] The 847 Naval Air Squadron and the Fleet Diving Unit also participated in the exercise, which involved 2,500 Royal Navy personnel. [12]

Far East portion

A Royal Marine of 40 Commando training in Malaysia during the deployment, 18 May 2009 40 Commando RM Jungle training in Malaysia MOD 45151140.jpg
A Royal Marine of 40 Commando training in Malaysia during the deployment, 18 May 2009

The taskforce reduced in number for the second phase of the deployment which was to be East of Suez. [12] After traversing the Suez Canal a group of vessels, including Ocean, Somerset, Talent, Wave Ruler and Mitscher successfully transited the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Somalia, scene of recent pirate activity. [13] During this transit Somerset assisted the Yemen coastguard in intelligence gathering using her Lynx helicopter. [14]

Bulwark called at India while the rest of the group carried out underwater warfare exercises in the Arabian Sea. [15] Somerset and its Merlin helicopters hunted for Talent using a number of Thales sonar systems including a 2087 surface-ship towed-array sonar, the 2076 submarine sonar, the FLASH helicopter dipping sonar, and the 2050 bow-mounted active sonar. [16] Taurus 09 also carried out a trial of Raytheon's Deep Siren Tactical Paging system designed to communicate with submerged submarines at distances in excess of 100 nautical miles (190 km; 120 mi). The taskforce successfully communicated tactical messages and contact data to the submarine. [17]

A portion of the task group, including eight Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and two submarines, with Dupleix and Mitscher carried out training exercises with the Bangladesh Navy. This was the first time the Royal Navy had trained with the Bangladesh Navy for ten years. [18] The exercises took place in a number of Bangladeshi rivers from 29 April and were known as Exercise Shomudro Torongo. [19] [20]

The task group transited the Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia, scene of other pirate activity. [13] Ocean attended the International Maritime Defence Exhibition in Singapore in May. [6] The group took park in joint Five Power Defence Arrangements and Commonwealth of Nations Exercise Persma Shield off Malaysia in June with the Royal Marines taking part on survival exercises. [21] Bulwark rejoined the task group for jungle training exercises in Brunei. [6] [15] These included survival exercises and practice in navigation and river crossings. [21]

Conclusion and legacy

Mitscher returns to port at Norfolk naval base following the deployment, 14 August 2009 US Navy 090814-N-1688B-014 Family members and friends wait on the pier for the return of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) after a 200-day deployment.jpg
Mitscher returns to port at Norfolk naval base following the deployment, 14 August 2009

The task group returned home after the Brunei exercises, which marked their furthest travel east (at 114 degrees longitude). [14] During the return journey 81 members of the crew of Somerset rowed the length of the Suez Canel, in 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) legs, in a time of 10 hours and 40 minutes. [14] On the return journey Wave Ruler visited Valletta, Malta from 16 July 2009 to carry out an operational stand down and changeover of crew. [22] Wave Ruler was a particularly active member of the task group, providing fuel and other supplies on more than 100 occasions, and travelling 35,000 nautical miles (65,000 km; 40,000 mi), she returned to Devonport on 2 August. [14] The last British ships: Ocean, Somerset and Bulwark returned to Devonport in the UK on 3 August 2009. [23] The returning ships were greeted by thousands of spectators and welcomed to music by the Royal Marines Band Service. [5] By the time of its return it was commanded by Commodore Paul Bennett who had succeeded Hudson in the role of Commander Amphibious Task Group. [23]

The deployment covered 20,400 miles (32,800 km) and involved 3,300 Royal Navy personnel, at its maximum strength, training with 17 foreign nations. [23] [3] [4] During the deployment the task group was visited by the serving First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Sir Mark Stanhope and his predecessor Sir Jonathon Band. A Granada Television film crew also visited to film for series two of the Channel 5 series Warship. [14]

In the years following the deployment the Royal Navy retired its aircraft carriers and for some years before the commissioning of HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) in 2017 did not operate any. The Amphibious Task Group, renamed the Response Force Task Group became the primary deployable force of the navy. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Navy</span> Naval warfare force of the United Kingdom

The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and a component of His Majesty's Naval Service. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the English Navy of the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the Senior Service.

French frigate <i>Surcouf</i> La Fayette-class frigate, launched 1993

Surcouf (F711) is a La Fayette-class frigate of the French Navy. Construction began at Lorient Naval Dockyard on 6 July 1992, launched 3 July 1993, and the ship was commissioned May 1996. Since entering service, Surcouf has taken part in numerous missions, notably in Operation Antilope, Operation Trident (Kosovo) and Mission Khor Anga in the Djibouti zone.

USS <i>Tarawa</i> (LHA-1) US Navy amphibious assault ship

USS Tarawa (LHA-1), the lead ship of her class, was an amphibious assault ship that served in the United States Navy from 1976 to 2009. She was the second ship to be named for the Battle of Tarawa, fought during World War II. Tarawa was decommissioned on 31 March 2009, at San Diego Naval Base.

USS <i>Ogden</i> (LPD-5) Austin-class amphibious transport dock

USS Ogden (LPD-5), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Ogden, Utah. Ogden was laid down on 4 February 1963 by the New York Naval Shipyard. She was launched on 27 June 1964 sponsored by Mrs. Laurence J. Burton, and commissioned at New York City on 19 June 1965.

HMS <i>Ocean</i> (L12) 1998 unique amphibious assault ship of the Royal Navy

HMS Ocean was a Landing Platform Helicopter, formerly the UK's helicopter carrier and the fleet flagship of the Royal Navy. She was designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force. She was constructed in the mid-1990s by Kvaerner Govan on the River Clyde and fitted out by VSEL at Barrow-in-Furness prior to trials and subsequent acceptance in service. Ocean was commissioned in September 1998 at her home port HMNB Devonport, Plymouth.

HMS <i>Albion</i> (L14) 2003 Albion-class landing platform dock of the Royal Navy

HMS Albion is a landing platform dock of the Royal Navy, the first of the two-ship Albion class. Built by BAE Systems Marine in Barrow-in-Furness, Albion was launched in March 2001 by the Princess Royal. Her sister ship, Bulwark, was launched in November 2001, also from Barrow. Affiliated to the city of Chester and based in Plymouth, she is the ninth ship to carry the name Albion, stretching back to the 74-gun 1763 warship, and last carried by an aircraft carrier decommissioned in 1973 after 19 years service. Designed as an amphibious warfare ship, Albion carries troops, normally Royal Marines, and vehicles up to the size of the Challenger 2 main battle tank. She can deploy these forces using four Landing Craft Utility (LCUs) and four Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVPs). A flight deck supports helicopter operations.

HMS <i>Somerset</i> (F82) 1996 Type 23 or Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy

HMS Somerset is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the eleventh ship of the class to join the fleet since 1989. She was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd on the River Clyde, in Scotland and was launched in June 1994 by Lady Elspeth Layard, wife of then 2nd Sea Lord Admiral and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command Admiral Sir Michael Layard. She entered service in 1996. Lady Layard is the ship's sponsor. She is named after the Dukedom of Somerset.

RFA <i>Argus</i> (A135) Aviation Support and Littoral Strike Ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary operated by the Ministry of Defence under the Blue Ensign. Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MVContender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for a four-year conversion to an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA Engadine. In 1991, during the Gulf War, she was fitted with an extensive and fully functional hospital to assume the additional role of Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. In 2009, the PCRS role became the ship's primary function. Argus is due to remain in service beyond 2030. In July 2022 it was reported that the future Littoral Strike Role would be assumed by Argus after a refit to convert her to this role. As of October 2023, Argus had started her deployment to serve as part of Littoral Response Group (South).

HMS <i>Bulwark</i> (L15) 2005 Albion-class landing platform dock of the Royal Navy

HMS Bulwark is the second ship of the Royal Navy's Albion-class assault ships. She is one of the United Kingdom's two landing platform docks designed to put Royal Marines ashore by air and by sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standing Royal Navy deployments</span>

Standing Royal Navy deployments is a list of operations and commitments undertaken by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy on a worldwide basis. The following list details these commitments and deployments sorted by region and in alphabetical order. Routine deployments made by the Navy's nuclear-powered submarines and their location of operations is classified.

USS <i>Fife</i> Spruance-class destroyer

USS Fife (DD-991), a Spruance-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral James Fife, Jr. (1897–1975), a distinguished Submarine Force commander during World War II.

HMCS <i>Calgary</i> (FFH 335) Royal Canadian Navy frigate

HMCS Calgary is a Halifax-class frigate that has served in the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Navy since 1995. Calgary is the sixth vessel in her class and the second vessel to carry the name Calgary. She was built as part of the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project. Calgary began the FELEX refit in June 2012. She is assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and is homeported at CFB Esquimalt. Calgary serves on MARPAC missions protecting Canada's sovereignty in the Pacific Ocean and enforcing Canadian laws in its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone.

HMCS <i>Charlottetown</i> (FFH 339) Royal Canadian Navy frigate

HMCS Charlottetown is a Halifax-class frigate that has served in the Royal Canadian Navy since 1995. Charlottetown is the tenth ship in her class which is based on the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project. She is the third vessel to carry the designation HMCS Charlottetown. Charlottetown, assigned to Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and homeported at CFB Halifax, serves on missions protecting Canada's sovereignty in the Atlantic Ocean and enforcing Canadian laws in its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. Charlottetown has also participated in several NATO missions, patrolling the Atlantic Ocean as part of Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) and its successors Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 and 2. Charlottetown has also been deployed on missions throughout the Atlantic and to the Indian Ocean, specifically the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea on anti-terrorism operations.

The Force d'action navale is the 9,600-man and about 100-ship force of surface warships of the French Navy. As of August 2023, it is commanded by L’amiral Nicolas Vaujour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander United Kingdom Strike Force</span> Senior post in the Royal Navy

The Commander United Kingdom Strike Force is a senior post in the Royal Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">845 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

845 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Part of the Commando Helicopter Force, it is a specialist amphibious unit operating the AgustaWestland Commando Merlin HC4 helicopter and provides troop transport and load lifting support to the United Kingdom Commando Force and wider elements of the Royal Marines. In 2012, the squadron celebrated 50 years since it was awarded "commando" status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime)</span> Royal Navys contribution to the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force

The Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) (or JEF(M)) (formerly the Response Force Task Group (RFTG), and prior to that the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF)), is the Royal Navy's contribution to the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) maintained at very high-readiness and available at short notice to respond to unexpected global events. In addition to the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, the JEF(M) also includes elements of the British Army and the Royal Air Force. While it is primarily poised to conduct war-fighting or strike operations, the JEF(M) is capable of undertaking a diverse range of activities such as evacuation operations, disaster relief or humanitarian aid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exercise Joint Warrior</span> NATO multi-national military exercise

Exercise Joint Warrior is a major biannual multi-national military exercise which takes place in the United Kingdom, predominately in north west Scotland. It is the successor of the Neptune Warrior exercises and Joint Maritime Course.

A Littoral Response Group (LRG) is a Royal Navy task group usually consisting of one or two amphibious warfare ships, a company of Royal Marines and supporting elements primarily tasked with littoral warfare from the littoral areas. They were first deployed in 2020 and have been described by the Royal Navy as being more flexible and agile compared to previous amphibious task groups with an emphasis on forward-basing, precision strike capabilities, high mobility, modern command and control technology, networked autonomous systems and deception capabilities. Multiple LRGs can combine to form a more substantial Littoral Strike Group (LSG) and they can also join a UK Carrier Strike Group to form an Expeditionary Strike Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK Carrier Strike Group</span> Formation of the Royal Navy (created 2006)

The UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) is a carrier battle group of the Royal Navy. It has existed in various forms since the mid-2000s. Between 2006 and 2011, the formation centred around the Royal Navy's Invincible-class aircraft carriers until the retirement of their Harrier GR9 strike aircraft in 2011 as a result of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The UKCSG subsequently returned in February 2015 ahead of the entry into service of the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The aim of the CSG is to facilitate carrier-enabled power projection.

References

  1. ↑ "Marine Scott Gregory Taylor killed in Afghanistan". British Government. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Waters, Conrad (30 October 2009). Seaforth World Naval Review 2010. Seaforth Publishing. p. 218. ISBN   978-1-78383-096-1.
  3. 1 2 McNeill, Alastair (1 April 2009). "David relishes role in naval training exercise". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Naval task force heads to the Med". The Northern Echo. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Thousands Welcome Major Royal Navy Task Group Home". www.justplymouth.com. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Hobbs, David (30 September 2014). British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development & Service Histories. Seaforth Publishing. p. 342. ISBN   978-1-84832-138-0.
  7. 1 2 "Sharpening the Sword". Navy News. March 2009. p. 15.
  8. 1 2 "Naval visit 'reinforces special UK-Malta relations '". Times of Malta. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "Military news in brief". The Times. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Engelbrecht, Leon (21 April 2009). "NATO marines exercise off Turkey, on way to Indian Ocean". DefenceWeb. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "ORC deployed on Taurus 2009". Holyhead Marine. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  12. 1 2 "HMS Talent part of a Royal Navy Task Group". Just Plymouth. 14 April 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Ready to set sail on sea voyage". Redditch Advertiser. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "A new experience for so many of us". Navy News. September 2009. p. 4.
  15. 1 2 "Petty Officer Colin Clayton heads for troubled waters". York Press. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Thales Sonars Play Critical Role in ASW Exercise". Defense Aerospace. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Raytheon: Raytheon Demonstrates New Submarine Communications Technology for UK Royal Navy - Jun 01, 2009". Raytheon News Release Archive. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  18. ↑ Shan, Nafeesa (13 March 2009). "Great Harwood sailor set for the Far East". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Waine's setting sail for adventure in Far East". Worcester News. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  20. ↑ Unb, Dhaka (29 April 2009). "Exercise Shomudro Torongo arrives today". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  21. 1 2 "Marines on gruelling jungle training". Somerset County Gazette. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  22. ↑ "RFA Wave Ruler to visit". Times of Malta. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  23. 1 2 3 "Royal Navy's Taurus Task Force Returns to UK". Defense Aerospace. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  24. ↑ Waters, Conrad (30 October 2011). Seaforth World Naval Review 2012. Seaforth Publishing. p. 291. ISBN   978-1-78383-098-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.