Sailors on HMS Westminster were treated to a meteorological phenomenon as their frigate took on fuel from tanker RFA Wave Knight in the Western Approaches. The two ships linked up in rough seas for the second time in little over a week as Westminster continued exercising and training, this time in company with HMS St Albans.
Last week found HMS Westminster taking on board fuel from fleet tanker RFA Wave Knight in the Western Approaches while conducting simultaneous flight deck and anti-submarine operations (one Merlin helicopter flying stores, one towed array streaming).
The ship’s company got quite excited at this ‘triple whammy’ (although they were rather less excited by the Force 9 gale which subsequently battered the Portsmouth-based frigate as storms hit the UK over the weekend… and left an unpleasant odour drifting down 2 Deck – Westminster’s main thoroughfare).
This week finds HMS Westminster taking on board fuel from fleet tanker RFA Wave Knight – which is the official FOST tanker, supporting training involving RN and friendly warships going through Operational Sea Training off Plymouth.
This time there was no simultaneous streaming array… but there were two simultaneous flight deck operations – Westminster’s own Lynx, plus the Merlin HMS St Albans, which was also exercising nearby.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, November 29, 2012; Image: RN