UK task group links up with Italian aircraft carrier in final exercise of Royal Navy’s Mediterranean deployment

UK flagship HMS Albion and supporting ship Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Lyme Bay joined forces with Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi in the final exercise of their Mediterranean deployment

HMS Albion and RFA Lyme Bay have formed the core of the UK’s Littoral Response Group which has spent the autumn completing trials and exercises to help shape the amphibious forces and Royal Marines of the future.

The Littoral Strike Group (Experimentation) (LRG(X)) featured the deployment of the Royal Navy’s high readiness Littoral Strike forces on a three-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. During the deployment, the Royal Navy has tested innovative tactics and kit for the Future Commando Force (FCF) — the evolution of the Royal Marines as a hi-tech raiding and strike force.

After participation in NATO’s Mediterranean maritime security mission, Operation Sea Guardian, the British ships began the long journey home to the UK, which brought them into contact with the Italian Navy for some combined training.

UK flagship HMS Albion (top) and supporting ship RFA Lyme Bay (bottom) are part of the UK’s Littoral Response Group.

The carrier group, completed by Italian frigate Carlo Bergamini and tanker Stromboli, conducted combined training with HMS Albion and RFA Lyme Bay, from basic communications through to manoeuvring in close proximity, some helicopter ‘cross-decking’ and an anti-submarine exercise, before a ceremonial sail past as the two allies went their separate ways.

For the first time ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi hosted a Wildcat helicopter as 847 Naval Air Squadron touched down on the carrier’s 571 foot-long deck.

Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi is home to AV-8B jump jets, which tested their ability to evade the British defences during an air defence exercise.

HMS Albion’s Navigator Lieutenant Sam Furniss said both task groups had benefitted from their time training together and the link-up had been a fitting finale to the deployment.

“The training was rich and provided all units with a challenge in operating together as one in order to counter a number of exercise threats.

Although relatively short in duration, the knowledge and experience taken forward from this is invaluable and serves as a real highlight for both the UK’s commitment to NATO and Royal Navy operations in the Mediterranean Sea.”

— HMS Albion’s Navigator Lieutenant Sam Furniss

The training provided the opportunity for all units to operate together as one.

HMS Albion is due home in Plymouth later this week.

Read more about the UK’s Littoral Response Group here👇

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Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇