Apache reign begins for Ark

Apache reign begins for Ark

28.11.06 09:00

NavyNews

IN KEEPING with HMS Ark Royal’s new role as a commando assault ship, helicopter trials have been the order of the day as the carrier emerges from refit.

Ark returned to Portsmouth from Rosyth after being out of action for two and a half years with a fresh mission for the last decade of her proud career.

HMS Illustrious will serve as the nation’s ‘strike carrier’ and Ark as a ‘second HMS Ocean’, ferrying Royal Marines into battle (she can still perform the traditional carrier role).

Central to the commando carrier role envisioned for the flat-top is the ability to operate the helicopters which will carry those green berets into battle.

It’s a mission the ship carried out ably three years ago in the Iraq campaign, but with a new crew, new communications fit and new ammunition stores inter alia, these skills have to be perfected once more.

And so it was that two CH47 Chinook helicopters from RAF 7 Sqn touched down by day and night over three wintry days at the end of 2006 in a mix of fine and wet weather.

The Chinook is ‘old school’. The Apache gunship represents ‘new school’.

The Army Air Corps’ potent battlefield helicopter has already earned its Naval wings in trials with Ocean (aptly a helicopter carrier).

Apache has yet to be authorised for front-line operations from Ark, hence the reason for a series of trials with her from landing on deck, to be moved on the aircraft lifts into the hangar and generally moving the gunship around.

“Having Apache on board was another milestone in Ark’s return to operational status,” said Cdr Keith Muir, Cdr Air.

When Ark resumes front-line duties next year she will do so with a mixed air group of Chinooks, Apaches and the Fleet Air Arm’s own Merlins .

Someone who needed no re-introduction to Ark was her former CO Rear Admiral Alan Massey who was guest of honour at the ship’s Taranto Night mess dinner marking the 1940 crippling of the Italian Fleet in harbour by the Fleet Air Arm.

Rear Admiral Massey commanded the ship during the Iraq invasion and her saw the lessons of that campaign incorporated in the refitted Ark Royal which is now much better equipped as a launch pad for up to 400 commandos.