NAVY NEWS. DECEMBER 1998 19
JOINT MARITIME COURSE GOES BIG ON CO-OPERATION
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• Fashion statement: A Coy 40 Cdo RM blend in with the scenery ashore at Durness during the biggest ever Joint Maritime Course off the coast of Scotland.
Scotland hosts international team players A
Belgian/Netherlands Task Group joined a total of 47 ships from 12 countries taking part in the latest Joint Maritime Course - the biggest ever held off the coast of Scotland.
to take part in the amphibious operations conducted for the first time during the JMC for some years. All the ships taking part were divided under three Task Group Commanders, Task Group Two World War II moored mines were One led by Commodore Klaver, Task Group found in Loch Ewe by the Belgian minehunter Two, the amphibious group, by Commodore BNS Crocus while taking part in the exercise, Niall Kilgour, RN, embarked in the Fearless, which was beset with winds gusting up to and Task Group Three by Rear Admiral G. A. W. Hoch of the German Navy, in FGS Gale Force 9. The first was heavily corroded and con- Schleswig-Holstein. The RAF and six other air forces were under tained no explosives - but the second was the control of RAF Strike Command, flying intact. Both were safely disposed of. The Royal Netherlands and Royal Belgian out of RAF Kinloss, Lossiemouth, Leuchars, navies have a long history of co-operation Coningsby and Waddington. Amphibious Forces included 40 Cdo RM, 29 and in January 1996 this was formalised, so that they now regularly carry out their opera- Cdo Regiment, 59 Cdo Engineering Sqn and the 1st Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. All tional roles at sea together. The Dutch have anti-submarine and multi- units were embarked in HMS Fearless and HNLMS Rotterdam. purpose frigates, support ships, mine counGround forces included 22 Regiment Royal termeasures vessels, submarines and marArtillery, 20 Cdo Battery and 30 Cdo Brigade. itime patrol craft. HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane played In April this year the new amphibious land- host to 21 of the units, including HMS ing ship HNLMS Rotterdam came into service Invincible and Fearless while Leith, Glasgow, and she joined the assault ship HMS Fearless Dundee and Aberdeen took in the rest.
Under the command of Commodore Ruurt Klaver, RNN embarked in the flag ship HNLMS De Ruyter, it comprised six ships with a total complement of 1,100 personnel.
i Above: a helicopter from 846
Naval Air Squadron prepares to land on board the new Dutch amphibious landing ship HNLMS Rotterdam. Her hangar can house six Mk 4 Sea Kings and four were embarked for the JMC together with 80 personnel. • Left: Royal Naval Reserve personnel serving with the Amphibious Task Group,HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Honorary Commodore RNR, is briefed by Major Jeremy Parker, RM (left) and the Commander HMS Fearless, Cdr Ross Thoburn. The Reservists were from units in London, Plymouth, Bristol, Newcastle and Yeovilton. • Below: in the middle of JMC 983 the Amphibious Task Group received an unusual request from a local farmer would they mind ferrying his flock of sheep across Loch Eriboll?
It was seen as an excellent training opportunity and was willingly accepted by 4 Assault Squadron
Royal
Marines
based in HMS Fearless - seen here herding their woolly passengers into a Landing Craft
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