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Navy News JUNE 1995
INSIDE LEFT: We are the champions — LRO Gerard Harrison stretches out his 6ft 8 ins to help secure the RN's magnificent 43-19 win over the RAF. (see page 34). Besides the Inter-Services rugby, the Navy also led in the soccer and marathon championships in an outstanding month for RN sport.
COMING SOON Not forgotten — a special VJ Day anniversary issue in August will highlight the role of the British Pacific and East Indies Fleets.
RIGHT: The Duke of Edinburgh opens the new Headquarters Royal Marines at Whale Island (see page 28).
"Harmony" — matching seagoing deployments with the need for families to spend time together — may give priority to the individual's movements, rather than those of the ship. Last month's Defence White Paper said the matter was being investigated, while targets were already set for the ratio of sea to shore jobs for ratings. When this exeeded certain specified values for a particular rating category, that category was put on a "Minimum Time Ashore". This meant that drafting authorities were required to place affected rates and specialisms in home posts for a minimum length of time — about 4 per cent of the total rating strength was currently being drafted on that basis. Equipment planning continued to centre on the Navy's three core capabili-
ties — aircraft carrier task groups, nuclear submarines and amphibious forces — the White Paper confirmed. It was hoped to place orders for replacement of the assault ships HMS Intrepid and Fearless and for a further batch of up to three Type 23 frigates later this year. • The National Audit Office has laid part of the blame for ships exceeding their maximum time at sea on delays with the replacement Type 23 frigate command system.
LIGHT FANTASTIC HMS ARGYLL off Plymouth Hoe, where a quarter of a million people gathered to watch the spectacular fireworks and laser lightshow climax to last month's VE Day anniversary celebrations — see also pages 17, 18 and 19.
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