Lieutenant Commander
Nigel Terry, deputy head of HMS Illustrious’ Flight Department
was also on board when the Osprey visited in 2007.
He said: "Opportunities like this present an invaluable opportunity
to continue to grow our ability to work together with other nations.
This is absolutely essential in modern naval operations.
"It allows us to grow our understanding of our different procedures
as well as providing valuable training for our deck crews.”
The visit gave the Osprey's crew an opportunity to demonstrate the
aircraft's flexibility as well as being a good example of the strong
relationship between Britain and the United States.
While there are no current plans for the Royal Navy to operate the
MV-22, close co-operation and training of this kind is vital to support
operations in a coalition environment.
Until recently, USS Kearsarge had three Royal Navy aircraft handlers
embarked as part of the Long Lead Specialist Skills Programme. This
programme seeks to retain and develop the specialist skills required
to operate the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft
Carriers which are under construction at Rosyth dockyard.
Three US Marines and six US Navy personnel also visited HMS Illustrious
during the rendezvous.
HMS Illustrious is currently part of the Response Force Task Group
deployed on Cougar 13 operating in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Persian
Gulf, and Horn of Africa. It involves exercising with partner nations,
and will show the UK Armed Forces’ capacity to project an effective
maritime component anywhere in the world as part of the Royal Navy’s
Response Force Task Group as commanded by Commodore Paddy McAlpine.
The RFTG is the United Kingdom’s high readiness maritime force,
comprising ships, submarines, aircraft and a landing force of Royal
Marines, at short notice to act in response to any contingency tasking
if required.
From: Royal Navy press release
