15 sailors from HMS Monmouth were treated to a day aboard the world’s most powerful surface ship when their frigate joined forces with the mighty carrier USS John C Stennis in the Gulf.
While the Black Duke crew toured the 100,000-tonne flattop, an identical number of Americans were spending the day aboard the frigate, where they enjoyed a nice cup of tea among other quintessentially-British elements of life in the RN.
Pictures: LA(Phot) Will Haigh, HMS Monmouth, and MC2 Kenneth Abbate, USN
ANYONE for Stennis?
Yes, 15 of us…
Sailors from HMS Monmouth leapt at the chance to join one of the world’s biggest, most powerful warships when the two met up on patrol in the Gulf.
The flattop is flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3 – one cruiser, four destroyers and an auxiliary – and home to elements of nine squadrons of fast jets (Hornets, Super Hornets, Prowlers), prop planes (Hawkeyes, Greyhounds) and helicopters (Seahawks).
In all, up to 90 aircraft take off from and land on her deck – the fixed-wing aircraft courtesy of cats and traps – supported by 6,500 sailors and air/ground crew.
Steam rises from the catapult as an F/A-18E Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron – the Tophatters – 14 leaves the deck of the John C Stennis, flanked by HMS Monmouth and cruiser USS Mobile Bay (flying the White Ensign to mark the link-up)
The chance to watch the awesome sight of active flight deck ops was too good for the Black Dukes to turn down – especially at it offered a glimpse into the future with the RN’s next-generation carriers which will see a return to the days of the big fleet carriers.
“I was amazed at the size and complexity of the Stennis, and I am looking forward to the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers – if they are anywhere near as capable as the Stennis we will have quite a formidable ship to operate,” said the Black Duke’s Medical Officer Surg Lt Steve Woolley.
“We were very well looked after by our American counterparts and it was a great day for all lucky enough to get across.”
During their visit, the Brits watched flight operations from the flag bridge and toured several spaces throughout the ship including the flight deck, hangar bay, jet shop, and the carrier air traffic control centre.
“As the Royal Navy moves toward the rebirth of its fixed-wing carrier operations, it has been an invaluable education,” said Cdr Gordon Ruddock, Monmouth’s CO. “My team and I have had our eyes opened to the complexities of what we are about to generate.”
HMS Monmouth’s Lynx looks tiny parked on the flight deck of the Stennis (just forward of the island)… as seen from one of the carrier’s Seahawk helicopters
AB(CIS) Sordan Bate added: “I have never seen anything like this ship before. It was very interesting to see flight operations and the way everyone was always busy.”
While the Black Dukes were being royally hosted by the Americans, 15 carrier crew were being treated to life on a pusser’s grey which is 20 times smaller than the Stennis and has 1/30th of the ship’s company.
The American guests were treated to an extensive tour of the Type 23 frigate and enjoyed the full range of hospitality onboard.
“I am grateful for a fully extensive tour of HMS Monmouth, including the exciting ride in your Black Knight helicopter. We all want to say a big ‘thank you’ to the British Navy for their kindness over the day,” said dental officer Lt Anderson USN.
During the tours of each vessel there was extensive cementing of the special Anglo-US relationship, exemplified by the exchange of gifts: baseball caps from the Americans and RN emblazoned tea-cups from the British.
