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**Naval_Gazer** · 28-04-11, 16:50

Has the Government finally seen the light or is it just another false dawn?

Government ready for a U-turn over scrapped Harrier

Originally Posted by Portsmouth News 28 Apr 2011

THE government is poised to make a sensational U-turn and bring Harrier jump jets back into Royal Navy service. The News understands defence secretary Liam Fox is holding talks to put jets on HMS Illustrious. The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier is in Rosyth undergoing a multi-million pound refit to turn her into a helicopter carrier. But it is understood Illustrious, which will return to Portsmouth on July 15, has been prepared in a way that accommodates Harriers...

Sixty useable Harriers have been mothballed while Britain spends £30m a week on RAF raids over Libya. But figures in the SDSR suggest an aircraft carrier with Harriers could do the job for £80m a year.

Beth Torvell of The Navy Campaign called for Harriers to be used in Libya. She said: ‘Many other nations sent a carrier as their contribution to Libyan efforts. It’s high time Britain brought back carrier strike capability and rejoined the grown-ups’ table.’

Planes could yet be deployed in Libya

NEWS that the Harrier jets could make a return has been met with relief from within the Royal Navy. The jets give Britain the ability to anchor off the coast of anywhere in the world and project air power from a moveable airfield. With no end in sight for the mission in Libya, HMS Illustrious could provide a base for the Harriers. The warship could sit 15 minutes from the target, saving an awful lot of time, fuel and money in the process.

As it stands, running the air operations in Libya is costing £30m a week on basing RAF jets, their crews and ground staff in Italy, plus fuel and ammunition. The hotel bills alone are reportedly costing £40,000 a night. By comparison, MoD figures show running operations from an aircraft carrier with 24 Harriers would cost £80m a year.

But the political sensitivities of bringing the Harriers back is embarrassing for the government, which at the moment is trying to deny such a plan exists.

In the circumstances, I'm not sure I'd "...anchor off the coast" though.

**Naval_Gazer** · 30-04-11, 09:35

Libya: Nato intercepts boats laying mines outside Misurata

Originally Posted by Daily Telegraph 29 Apr 2011

Nato warships have intercepted several boats laying anti-shipping mines outside the harbour of the Libyan city of Misurata, according to a senior military officer. Misurata has been under siege by forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi for several weeks and though rebels have managed to expel regime forces from the city itself, the enclave is isolated and remains dependent for much of its food and supplies on the sea link with the rebel capital Benghazi. It appeared to be the first time sea mines have been used in the Libyan conflict.

“We have just seen Gaddafi forces floating anti-ship mines outside Misurata harbour today,” said British Brig. Rob Weighill, director of Nato operations in Libya.

“It again shows his complete disregard for international law and his willingness to attack humanitarian delivery efforts.

He added that Nato crews were disposing of the mines...

It might be remembered that the RN minehunter HMS Brocklesby, which sailed from Portsmouth in January, has been supporting the embargo off the Libyan coast since being detached from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) at the beginning of April.

Gaddafi has form for the illegal use of sea mines. During July and August 1984, 19 merchant ships were shaken by mysterious underwater explosions in the Gulf of Suez at the southern end of the Red Sea although none was sunk. It was subsequently discovered that the Libyan RO-RO ferry Ghat (or Ghada) had transited the Red Sea from north to south before reversing its course near Djibouti and returning to the north only a few days before the first explosion occurred on 9 July (link) (link).

A US, UK and NL MCM force was tasked to investigate. During the clearance operation code-named HARLING, the RN minehunter HMS Gavinton detected, rendered safe and recovered a Soviet export version of a sophisticated influence ground mine. For their actions during Operation HARLING, Lt Cdr Nigel 'Bernie' Bruen DSC RN (the CO of HMS Gavinton) was appointed an MBE and WO(Diver) Terry Settle MBE BEM (Fleet Clearance Diving Team) was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM).

**Naval_Gazer** · 04-05-11, 08:13

Navy destroyer to bombard Mad Dog

Originally Posted by The Sun 3 May 2011

BRITISH destroyer HMS Liverpool was last night preparing to shell targets in Libya and quicken the downfall of tyrant Colonel Gaddafi. Defence chiefs have ordered the Type-42 Destroyer to start pounding command and control centres and boost the ill-equipped rebels.

Until now Britain has only used RAF Tornado and Typhoon warplanes and a nuclear submarine. But sources close to the mission told The Sun a major Navy assault will begin this week. The source said: "Final details are being hammered out now but they are looking to strike over the next few days. When they do, Gaddafi won't know what's hit him."...

**Naval_Gazer** · 04-05-11, 08:13

Warship called in to stop mines in Libya

Originally Posted by Portsmouth News 4 May 2011

PORTSMOUTH-based minehunter HMS Brocklesby was called into action in Libya to stop deadly sea mines being laid in the harbour of the war-torn city of Misrata. The warship, which is in the middle of a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean, was needed at the weekend after the Libyan navy tried to stop aid supplies reaching the beleaguered population.

The Ministry of Defence’s Staff Strategic Communication Officer, Major General John Lorimer, said: ‘Following Colonel Gaddafi’s attempt on Friday to mine the approaches to Misrata harbour to stop humanitarian aid shipments, HMS Brocklesby has played a key role in Nato’s efforts to make safe the waters from these indiscriminate weapons.’

Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Liverpool is also still in the area as part of the Nato blockade to prevent arms being shipped into the country. The warship was reported to be preparing to shell targets in Libya to help the fight against the dictator. But an MoD spokesman refused to discuss ‘specific tactics’ yesterday.

MCM2 Crew 3, currently manning HMS Brocklesby, returned from a 6-month deployment in the Gulf in August last year but left Portsmouth again in January for another 6-month deployment with Standing NATO MCM Group 1 from which they were detached when the Libyan crisis flared up.

**Asst_Ed** · 04-05-11, 08:54

I am desperately trying to find out more via RN channels right now - I believe, inter alia, there are some images (how good there'll be I'm not sure as there is no phot embarked with any of the RN forces off Libya). In the meantime, yesterday's Nato briefing provides some good details:

NATO - Opinion: Transcript of the press briefing on Libya by Oana Lungescu, the NATO Spokesperson and Vice Admiral Rinaldo Veri, Commander Maritime Forces for Operation Unified Protector, 03-May.-2011

**Naval_Gazer** · 04-05-11, 12:45

Asst_Ed - Many thanks and good luck. Perhaps the RN could borrow one of the RAF photographers loitering in Gioia del Colle? The internet is swamped with their images.

When will the 'Silent Service' follow the RAF's example in realising that glossy external PR is at least as important as operational capability and achievement in order to win the political battle for survival as an effective fighting force? Even the disposal of mines off Misurata, which could easily have sunk or severely damaged ships carrying refugees or humanitarian aid, seems to have passed relatively unremarked in the media.

**Asst_Ed** · 04-05-11, 13:22

Oh the stories I could tell about Ellamy. But won't... Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose...

Anyway. a partial success:

Brocklesby weighs in after 'very despicable act' by Gaddafi's forces

I'm still seeking clearance for more details and pix from the op...

There are, at present, no naval phots in the Ellamy operational area AFAIK, although there were phots aboard Westminster and Cumberland.

On the plus side, there's more exciting minehunting news on tomorrow's NN website

**Asst_Ed** · 04-05-11, 14:29

Originally Posted by Asst_Ed

Oh the stories I could tell about Ellamy. But won't... Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose...

Anyway. a partial success:

Brocklesby weighs in after 'very despicable act' by Gaddafi's forces

I'm still seeking clearance for more details and pix from the op...

There are, at present, no naval phots in the Ellamy operational area AFAIK, although there were phots aboard Westminster and Cumberland.

On the plus side, there's more exciting minehunting news on tomorrow's NN website

Now with all the chuffing typos removed and missing words inserted.

* Memo to self: proofread before publishing on t'web *

**Seaweed** · 04-05-11, 14:43

I have a feeling that a ship only gets a phot when she carries a helicopter. But pity some enterprising soul on board Brock hasn't taken some pics worth publishing by MoD.

**Asst_Ed** · 04-05-11, 15:05

Ish... although these days it's principally driven by IA than PR. Most ships east of Suez gets a permanent phot attached (the only exception currently is Richmond, I think). In the past they fly the phots on for two-four week stints, then bring them back, but they're now embedding them in the ship's companies much more.