RFA Fort George Returns Home

Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) oil replenishment ship Fort George returns to Crombie on the morning of Monday 16 August after a busy four-month deployment to the north and west Atlantic, which included visits ashore in the United States and Canada.

Led by HMS Ark Royal, which is the nation’s strike carrier, an international task group took part in Auriga 2010 – a string of inter-operability exercises between May and August.

RFA Fort George was responsible for maintaining the self sufficiency of the task force for prolonged periods at sea and she performed in an exemplary manner throughout, reliably achieving all taskings in sometimes complex war fighting scenarios.

Joining Fort George and Ark Royal were Type 42 destroyer Liverpool, Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, French submarine FS Perle and the US destroyer USS Barry.

They were supported by an amphibious force comprising HMS Ocean and RFA Largs Bay and HMS Albion, together with Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade and Royal Navy helicopters.

Fort George carried three Merlin helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron throughout the deployment. These highly effective anti-submarine helicopters were regularly put through their paces with the submarines taking part at various stages.

Commander of the UK Harrier Strike Group, Commodore Simon Ancona, said:

“The Auriga exercise offered extraordinary training value for the ship’s company and it was a great feeling to have the Harriers back on board again. This was a mainly aviation and submarine exercise but it was an opportunity to test our amphibious capabilities as well.”

Auriga 2010 demonstrated the UK’s ability to deploy, operate and sustain a task group out of area for a prolonged period. The ships will also undertake a series of goodwill port visits on the eastern seaboard of both Canada and the United States, to support International Security Cooperation initiatives.

Highlights of the deployment included a visit to Halifax Nova Scotia in Canada to assist with the centenary celebrations of the Canadian Navy, which included the ship welcoming over 1000 visitors and the Fleet Review carried out by HM The Queen. 
The final port of call, prior to our return across the Atlantic, was Port Canaveral where members of the ship’s company were able to take some time off to enjoy the attractions of Orlando, Cocoa Beach and The Kennedy Space Centre.

The commanding officer, Captain Dale Worthingon OBE, said: 

“Auriga has been a huge success for Fort George. We have conducted a record number of fuel and stores replenishments, supporting the UK Carrier Strike Group, the UK Amphibious Group as well as US Navy units.

“It’s been hard work for the ship’s company and embarked Merlin squadron but we have also had some well deserved visits to USA and Canadian ports. All onboard should feel very proud of their achievements, as indeed am I.”

During the deployment Fort George covered nearly 24000 nautical miles (round the equator is only 21,600), made five ports of call, conducted 75 fuelling replenishments at sea and carried out 19 stores replenishments at sea.