Tank Museum Update

In the Indo-Pacific

Above: L(AET) Lees and PO(AET) Watson fight a simulated fire on the flight deck during a crash on deck exercise. Above: L (AET) Lees and PO (AET) Watson fight a simulated fire on the flight deck during a crash on deck exercise. Right: Kent’s Force Protection team practice their skills against a floating target at night. Below: In formation with USS The Sullivans and USS New Orleans.

Right: Kent’s Force Protection team practice their skills against a floating target at night. Below: In formation with USS The Sullivans and USS New Orleans. Kent set off from Guam and started her period at sea Kent set off from Guam and started her period at sea with a bang with a bang conducting Naval Gunfire Support against conducting Naval Gunfire Support against an island range which an island range which was also the target for bombing was also the target for bombing runs by F35 jets from HMS Queen runs by F35 jets from HMS Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth. We have also conducted day and night small arms We have also conducted day and night small arms firings for both firings for both Royal Marine Boarding Team and Royal Marine Boarding Team and Kent’s Force Protection team. Kent’s Force Protection team.

Above: Royal Marines practice close quarters skills. Above: Royal Marines practice close quarters skills.

Joint Operations JOINT OPERATIONS

HMS Kent joined up with the US Expeditionary Strike Group HMS Kent joined up with the US Expeditionary Strike Group Seven (ESG-7) and Seven (ESG-7) and Japanese Maritime Defence Force (JSMDF) Japanese Maritime Defence Force (JSMDF) in the waters off Japan for a period of in the waters off Japan for a period of joint strike exercises. This joint strike exercises. This included live bombing runs on a range near to Okinawa included live bombing runs on a range near to Okinawa as well as as well as other joint air operations and exercises. On the final day all of the other joint air operations and exercises. On the final day all of the units joined into formation for the above photograph taken by Kent’s helicopter Shepherd. units joined into formation for the above photograph taken by Kent’s helicopter Shepherd.

After the period of exercises with JSMDF and ESG-7 Kent visited Sasebo, Japan for a period of essential maintenance.

Initially unsure whether the Ship’s Company would get off the ship due to COVID-19 restrictions we were pleased to be allowed into the US Naval Base to take advantage of their facilities even if we would be unable to enter Japan itself.

Leaving Japan, Kent was involved in live anti-submarine operations before meeting up with HMS Queen Elizabeth and other units of the Carrier Strike Group for the transit to Guam. In Guam we will all undertake a Mid-Deployment Support

Period conducting maintenance prior to our return journey to the UK. This extended stop will also allow Ship’s Company an opportunity for rest and recuperation and an opportunity to explore the island or conduct adventurous training supported by a deployed team of Physical Training Instructors from HMNB Portsmouth.

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Left: In formation with JSMDF units and ESG-7 for a coordinated photograph. Left: In formation with JSMDF units and ESG-7 for a coordinated photograph. Above: PO(ME) Stansfield teaches ET(ME) Boyea about Kent’s gas turbines during routine maintenance. Below: LS(SEA) Bolton removes the cable gripper from the jackstay during a RAS with RFA Tidespring

Above: PO(ME) Stansfield teaches ET(ME) Boyea about Kent’s gas turbines during routine maintenance. Below: LS(SEA) Bolton removes the cable gripper from the jackstay during a RAS with RFA Tidespring

After the period of exercises with JSMDF and ESG-7 Kent visited Sasebo, Japan for a period of essential maintenance. Initially unsure whether the Ship’s Company would get off the ship due to COVID-19 restrictions we were pleased to be allowed into the US Naval Base to take advantage of their facilities even if we would be unable to enter Japan itself. Leaving Japan, Kent was involved in live anti-submarine operations before meeting up with HMS Queen Elizabeth and other units of the Carrier Strike Group for the transit to Guam. In Guam we will all undertake a Mid-Deployment Support Period conducting maintenance prior to our return journey to the UK. This extended stop will also allow Ship’s Company an opportunity for rest and recuperation and an opportunity to explore the island or conduct adventurous training supported by a deployed team of Physical Training Instructors from HMNB Portsmouth.