40 NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2010 ‘Real jobs with real purpose’ ● HMS Ark Royal sails from Portsmouth en route to the Clyde for Exercise Joint Warrior, and ultimately for her Auriga deployment, earlier this year


SIX junior officers from reserve unit HMS President in London joined HMS Ark Royal earlier this year for sea training ahead of their Fleet Board examinations – and here are some of their thoughts on


the deployment. The first wave of two acting sub-lieutenants embarked in Portsmouth as the RN’s flagship prepared for Exercise Joint Warrior, staying with the carrier for its passage to Faslane in Scotland. The remaining four acting subbies continued with the ship from Faslane. AS/Lt Sara Howitt, an engineer


● A Harrier of 800 NAS approaches Ark Royal Picture: LA(Phot) Gregg Macready


who works for the UK military in her civilian life, joined the ship in Portsmouth: “We arrived and were immediately drafted into the storing ship routine, which is no small undertaking in a ship of that


size,” said Sara. “Over the two weeks onboard


we mixed general learning with practical involvement in daily damage control scenarios. “However my most memorable


experience was leaving Portsmouth when I stood with the ship’s company lining the deck, with the families ashore waving to us. “It was very emotional.” As the ship steamed towards Scotland the two officers saw the Harriers joining it for the first time in six years, followed soon after by squadrons of Lynx, Sea King and Merlin helicopters. With her engineering


background, Sara found that she could engage with the ship’s officers and ratings at a detailed level.


“I took every opportunity I could to operate the ship’s machinery.,” said Sara. “Although we had a steep


learning curve to climb, it was an incredibly fulfilling experience with benefits to both my civilian and RNR careers.” The two weeks


finished all


too quickly as the Ark entered harbour.


Sara concluded: “The Clyde 12 ISSUES FOR THE PRICE OF 10* * UK subscribers only


Estuary is very beautiful when it’s flat calm and sunny.


“The flight deck had been dressed with Harriers and we calmly sailed into port. “The berth was tight and I was


fortunate to witness the entrance from the bridge. “Faslane was bristling with


YES, I would like to subscribe to Navy News (please refer to the table opposite for prices)


Send the completed form and payment to:


Subscriptions, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Queen Street, Portsmouth Hampshire PO1 3HH, England Tel: +44 023 9272 6284 (24hr answerphone) Fax: +44 023 9273 4448


email: subscriptions@navynews.co.uk 1. COMPLETE YOUR DETAILS


Name


Please note, cheques payable to ‘HMG1800’ and not ‘Navy News’ 10/10


2. CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Region Years Rate


UK One £20.00 UK UK


Two £40.00 Three £60.00


Overseas One £26.00 Overseas Two


£52.00


Overseas Three £78.00 3. COMPLETE YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS


I enclose Cheque


Postal Order IMO


in £ Sterling made payable to ‘HMG1800’ I wish to pay by Visa


Mastercard Address


Payment Amount £ Card Number


Start Date Expiry Date Issue No. CSC No. Delta Switch/Solo Tick


firepower, with many ships and submarines alongside, ready for Exercise Joint Warrior.” AS/Lt Clint Darwen was in the second wave of President personnel to join the ship. A project manager and analyst for a large telecommunications company in his civilian life, Clint said: “I have had experience of other large ships such as HMS Ocean, but HMS Ark Royal seems that much more impressive. “Along with its size and obvious


strike power, with Harriers sitting proudly on its flight deck, was the fact that the ship would be pivotal in the forthcoming exercise.” The flagship left her berth on the Monday afternoon, en route to the Hebrides.


Clint continued: “The passage


● AS/Lts Sara Howitt and Phillip Morgan on the bridge of HMS Ark Royal


from the Clyde couldn’t have been more impressive as the ship manoeuvred in the narrow, winding channel. “We witnessed the departure from the bridge, and no sooner had we reached open sea than ‘hands to flying stations’ was called. “We watched the Harriers take off and buzz the ship. “It was a brilliant and powerful


sight.”


The junior officers spent periods with each department in the ship, and over time completed their detailed task books. They also were thrown into the


exercise scenario: “The ship was constantly


moving into different scenarios thrown up by the changing tide of the ‘battle’,” said Clint. “In the operations room, when we came ‘under fire’ from missiles


and air attack, the atmosphere was intense. “We also took part in all the fire fighting and damage control exercises. “It was very full on...” However, just as the exercise


was getting into full swing, the eruption of the Icelandic Eyjafjallajokull volcano brought matters to an unexpected and premature close.


With flights across the UK


grounded, the Harriers were also withdrawn to the mainland as the ship headed towards Spain and prepared to evacuate stranded British tourists. Clint explained how the visiting


RNR officers were allocated key roles: “We were each given areas of responsibility. “Mine was ‘5 deck’. The largest in the ship, it was to house 450 evacuees.


“My team comprised seven senior ratings and 20 junior ratings to direct and manage. “It was a real job with a real


purpose that showed me how, as officers in the Royal Navy, we need to be ready for the unexpected at all times.


“Although a challenge, events I


was able to bring my civilian management skills to bear.” As


unfolded, HMS


Albion completed the evacuation from Spain and the flagship was not required.


Signature


Phone Number Postcode


Email Country This is a New subscription Renewed subscription Start my subscription from month


● AS/Lts Gillian Waugh, Kerry Tromanhauser, Linda Vellosa and Clint Darwen on the flight deck of Ark Royal


Date


As the ship steamed back from Spain to Portsmouth, the reservists were able to let off steam with the ship’s crew with games of flight deck hockey and netball. All six junior officers completed their task books onboard and went on to pass their Fleet Board examinations in June. They are now confirmed sub- lieutenants and looking forward to specialisation training.


Picture: LA(Phot) Gregg Macready


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48