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HMS Prince of Wales is continuing her work in the North Sea - taking charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group during Exercise Strike Warrior. The ship’s company have recently teamed up with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), with personnel carrying out a replenishment at sea exercise.
This involved RFA Tidespring refuelling the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier. Similar operations see RFA sailors restocking warships with ammunition, equipment, food and other stocks. The Royal Navy was recently criticised in the Daily Telegraph for a Norwegian ship carrying out a similar task in the preparation leading up to Exercise Strike Warrior.
RFA Fort Victoria was reportedly due to join the exercise, but she was unable to due to a lack of sailors - an issue among many which has caused RFA seafarers to go on strike for better pay and conditions. The issue was recently addressed in parliament. RFA Tidespring was able to join Exercise Strike Warrior, with its highly-trained team carrying out tasks alongside HMS Prince of Wales and Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke.
Here are several pictures from Exercise Strike Warrior so far, covering the replenishment at sea exercises.
21. HMS Prince of Wales - Exercise Strike Warrior
Pictured: Instructors go through damage control training with ships company. CBRNDC (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Damage Control) Circuit Training is intended as continuation training for the ship's company in basic skills and drills to deal with damage control incidents. | Royal Navy
22. HMS Prince of Wales - Exercise Strike Warrior
Pictured: Instructors go through damage control drills with ship's company. CBRNDC Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Damage Control) Circuit Training is intended as continuation training for the ship's company in basic skills and drills to deal with damage control incidents. | Royal Navy