UK Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy commando assault vessel HMS Bulwark has embarked upon a period of intensive training to prepare both ship and crew for front line operations.
The seven-week training period takes place in the Royal Navy's exercise areas off Devon and Cornwall and is aimed at honing the ship's operational capability and testing her crew's ability to operate in a complex and hostile environment. Bulwark has recently completed a maintenance period in HM Naval Base, Devonport and is now getting ready again for tasking.
A host of demanding exercises, coordinated by the Royal Navy's specialist operational sea training teams based in Plymouth, will put the crew through their paces in all aspects of naval warfare and emergency aid.
The training will culminate with a two-week exercise, known as Exercise South West Sabre, when HMS Bulwark will carry out a series of amphibious raids and assaults with over 200 Royal Marine Commandos from Plymouth-based 42 Commando embarked.
Bulwark's Commanding Officer Captain Jeremy Blunden, said:
“The next seven weeks promises to be a demanding but highly rewarding period of operational training and the whole ship is keen to show what she can do. The training will be hard work but my sailors and Royal Marines are ready for the challenges that it will bring.
“Furthermore, this training marks an important milestone in the regeneration of HMS Bulwark as she returns to the operational fleet.”
Sea training is conducted by the staff of Plymouth-based Flag Officer Sea Training. The ships are put through numerous scenarios, ranging from humanitarian assistance to conflict, and are as realistic as possible. Ships from foreign navies recognise the world-class training and also send their ships to Plymouth.
Affiliated to County Durham, HMS Bulwark is the Royal Navy's newest commando assault and command and control ship. Launched in November 2001 she has a ship's company of 390, a quarter of whom are made up from 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines. The ship can carry an extra 700 troops and her flight deck can accommodate two Chinook or two Merlin helicopters. A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft, with another four carried on davits on the ship's side.
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