Reply With QuoteI was under the (wrong) impression that only "big" ships perform that technique.Originally Posted by happyslapper
That crew member has a fine camera, those pics look really pro.
This is probably a bad question, but does the Falklands have land based anti ship missiles?
I was under the (wrong) impression that only "big" ships perform that technique.
That crew member has a fine camera, those pics look really pro.
No, the UK forces at large do not do land-based SSM. In terms of the Falklands, anti-shipping comes in the form of Sea Skua (from Helicopters), Harpoon if a Type 22 or 23 is on APT(S), or good old fashioned naval gunnery. The Typhoons also have some rudimentary anti-shipping capability, which will be upgraded to something far more capable in due course.
Clyde isn't as small as you might think, being nearly 2000 tonnes and what most navies might call a corvette. This is a Sandown class minehunter, at 450 tonnes, doing 'proper' RASing:
Even smaller ships do it too, depending on operational circumstance. In the case of Clyde, she needs to undertake long-range patrols with very limited options for port-calls, so RASing is essential.
I'm not sure if I'd call advanced Laser/GPS guided bombs a rudimentary anti-shipping capability - more than capable of turning anything in the Argentine inventory into a sieve from considerable stand-off range. Brimstone could also be used against shipping. I think Harpoon will still be in the inventory when Nimrod MRA4 enters service. Not sure about Storm Shadow.
Thanks for the info, Happyslapper!
I was told that a standard LGB would be difficult to hit a manoeuvering warship with, something to do with the control fins not being responsive enough? Perhaps that was wrong. I still wouldn't want to go LGB-ing a Meko360 through a hail of Aspides, 40mm AA guns, etc..!
I do agree that there's an instant local answer for almost every scenario the Argentines can throw at the islands, and a very swift answer for everything else.
This was a recent article from Clarin along those same lines:
THE OIL OF THE FALKLANDS
The kelpers warn that have the strength to deter Argentina
For the island government, its militias are "sufficiently large".
By: London. ANSA.
The Falkland Islands Government has warned that it has a military force "big enough" to "deter" Argentina in the event of military escalation.
The threat was delivered last week after the Rockhopper Exploration company discovered "high quality" oil in the northern basin of the islands.
The Argentine government on Thursday warned defend "their rights and interests", after the British firm confirmed it had found oil layer thickness of 53 meters to 220 kilometers north of the islands, a deposit that could potentially mean millions of barrels oil.
Jan Cheek, Executive Member of the Falklands, accused Argentina of "interfering" with the economy of the islands for decades.
In Stanley the official from the British military presence in the islands said "will be enough to stop any possible raid from Argentina. "We have a force that is clearly large enough to act as a deterrent," Cheek told the British newspaper The Times.
"I really do believe that Argentina will launch a military adventure. They compete for our rights to natural resources of the islands, but we are within our rights," he said.
Cheek also said the kelpers "are not popping the champagne" by the announcement of Rockhopper, as yet unknown how much oil has been found and if it is commercially viable.
For its part and consulted by the ANSA news agency, a spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office echoed the statements of Cheek and reiterated that the UK will "defend the interests in its overseas territories," but avoided talk of a "military escalation" .
Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, after the announcement of Rockhopper-called hydrocarbon exploration in the islands as "an illegal act that goes against international law and UN resolutions." He added that Argentina rejects in the strongest terms the attempt to illegally take over non-renewable natural resources owned by the Argentine people. "
Taiana said the Argentine government will impose restrictions on the movement of ships between Argentina and the Falklands, as announced in February.
Last Thursday, Rockhopper said about the oil found in well 14/10-2 Block Sea Lion: "The records clearly indicate that we have found a reserve of high quality, high porosity and permeability. After the announcement, shares of Rockhopper rose over 47% in the London Stock Exchange, after climbing more than 150% on Monday. The announcement, however, created some doubts in the specialists.
In March, another British oil firm, Desire Petroleum announced the discovery of a gas in a well called Liz, also in the northern basin, but said he had left because the reserves were of poor quality.
HMS Clyde in High Seas Rescue
HMS Clyde rescues British family in Atlantic
A Military Operations news article
10 May 10
HMS Clyde, the Royal Navy's Falkland Islands Protection Vessel, came to the rescue of a British family in their stricken yacht 1,000 miles (1,600km) east of the Falklands on Saturday 8 May 2010.
A rigid inflatable boat from HMS Clyde approaches the stricken yacht
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
The Hollinsclough, an 18-metre Oyster, had been sailing from South Georgia to Cape Town when it hit an unidentified object and began to take on water.
Approximately 300 miles (480km) north east of South Georgia and 1,000 miles (1,600km) east of the Falkland Islands the alarm was raised via the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre back in the UK.
And at 1900hrs (South Georgia time) on 7 May 2010, HMS Clyde was retasked to launch a search and rescue mission in support of the stricken yacht.
Shortly after 1230hrs (South Georgia time) on 8 May 2010, the Commanding Officer of HMS Clyde and his crew on the bridge made visual contact with the Hollinsclough.
Lieutenant Robert Satterley, the Outgoing Marine Engineer Officer, and his team were dispatched to the yacht to determine the extent of the damage and the possibility of rendering assistance.
Lt Satterley said:
"When we approached the yacht, we were relieved to see that there were four people alive and well.Lieutenant Commander Steve Moorhouse said:
"The yacht had sustained severe damage and lay low in the water and it was clear that the family had been through quite an ordeal.
"Unfortunately nothing could be done to save the yacht and we were just glad to get them back to the ship safely."
"Although it was very sad that the Hollinscloughs' trip has been curtailed in these circumstances, the flexibility and response of my team over the last 24 hours has been outstanding and has ensured that the Hollinsclough family has been rescued safely."HMS Clyde is an Offshore Patrol Vessel that is permanently deployed to the South Atlantic with crew rotation staggered over a six-month period.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...InAtlantic.htm
HMS Portland Steams South
6th May
A programme packed full of training and maintenance has prepared the ship and her company for the arrival into South Atlantic waters, where a handover with HMS York will take place. Since the departure from Devonport on 13 April 2010, the ship has experienced cold weather and rough seas to balmy tropical conditions. Acclimatising to the changing temperatures is essential, to ensure that personnel onboard can carry out their duties efficiently in all conditions.
The Flight have integrated the Lynx Helicopter into the ships hectic routine by carrying out numerous flying serials these included winching operations, a PHOTEX and Ships’ familiarisation flights for a number of the ship’s company. The winching operations saw the Lynx Helicopter perform routine drills, by lifting loads from the flight deck and also plucking willing volunteers from one of the sea boats. The PHOTEX allowed LPhot Simpson to photograph Portland in a mid Atlantic sunset. Such photographs will be sent off to publications and Navy News as well as the website, which enhances Portland’s profile to the world. The familiarisation flights proved a great hit with members of the ship’s company that took to the air with the helicopter, but also has the important effect of raising Flight Safety awareness.
The ship's seaboats were also put though their paces with a live firing from one of the ship’s boats. CPOAWW Taff Burton rolled back the years by honing his firing skills utilising the General Purpose Machine Gun. Firing the gun from unstable platform took skill and experience to handle throughout the serial.
Damage Control and Fire Fighting is never far away from wholeship training and with the implementation of a simulated Galley fire, it cemented the drills and skills recently practiced during Portland’s Operational Sea Training earlier in the year.
In true maritime tradition King Neptune paid the ship a visit as she crossed the Equator. All Royal Navy ships who cross over zero degrees latitude still keep the folklore alive and Portland was no exception. The WO & CPO’s Mess provided the ships company with a great spectacle, which saw Bears, Mermaids, Policemen, a Doctor and a Barber initiate equator novices or shellbacks. Each novice received a pretend haircut, shave, medication and then finally a bath, all with a twist. Great fun was had keeping this nautical tradition alive, which helped cement the strong ethos that binds the Ship’s Company together.
^^That fourth one's hilarious! Always nice to see the crew of a ship having fun!
Last edited by Arnie100; 05-14-2010 at 04:05 PM. Reason: typo
HMS Portland on station in the Falklands
Type 23 Statistics
Displacement:4,900 tonnes
Length:133m / 436ft
Beam:16.1m / 52.9ft
Complement:185
Armament:2 x Quad Harpoon Missile launchers, Vertical Launch Sea Wolf anti-missile system, 4.5in (114mm) MK 8 gun, 2 x 30mm Close range guns, 2 x Magazine launched anti submarine torpedo tubes, NATO Seagnat and DLF3 Decoy Launchers
Sensors:Type 1007 navigation radar Type 996 air/surface surveillance radar, 2 x Type 911 Sea Wolf tracking radars, UAT Electronic Surveillance System, Type 2050 active sonar
Aircraft:MK 8 Lynx helicopters:
Armament:
Sea Skua anti-ship missiles
Stingray anti-submarine torpedoes
Mk 11 depth charges
Machine guns
Propulsion:
Turbines:
CODLAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) - 2 x Rolls Royce Spey gas boost
Diesels:
4 x GEC-Alsthom Paxman Valenta
Electric:
2 x GEC motors
Happyslapper. Outstanding thread full of information, pictures and zero BS. I always have a regard for the Falklands because the conflict took place just a few years after I came out of the mob and, they were using all the kit I was trained to use so, I could easily relate to what I heard and saw. This thread has been a fascinating update of information to me. Thanks mate.
Cheers mate, happy to be of service. The real bread and butter was covered on the first couple of pages, but hopefully since then the readers of this thread have seen just what effort goes into defending British peoples' freedoms (if you'll excuse the cliche).
Here's a couple more stories to have emerged recently...
MPA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF SERVICE
By J. Brock (FINN)
Photo © Crown Copyright Photo Section MPC: Sir Rex Hunt, then Governor of the Falkland Islands welcomes Mr Michael Heseltine to Mount Pleasant Airport. Descending the steps are Mrs Anne Heseltine, Lord Strathcona, Lord Shackleton, Lord Buxton, Air Marshal Sir Peter Harding, Mr Ian Gow and Sir Humphrey Atkins.
In mid 1983 a decision was taken by HMG to purchase land in the Falklands for £29.00 an acre from the Falkland Islands Company at Mount Pleasant and build an international airport on the property. A consortium involving John Liang Construction Ltd, Mowlem International Limited, and Amey Roadstone Construction Ltd (LMA) was formed and the first two vessels – Cunard’s ship, ENGLAND and the MERCHANT PROCIDENCE – loaded with workers and materials sailed towards the Falklands.
Everything but stone had been imported and by December 1983 the vessels began discharging cargo and the workers’ Wyseplan camp was under construction.
Fifteen months later on 01 may 1985, a Tristar on a proving flight, piloted by Wing Commander Keith Filbey of 216 Squadron RAF was the first aircraft to land on the newly finished runway. The next plane to land was on opening day itself – 12 May 1985 – an Islander Aircraft piloted by Eddy Anderson, carrying H. E. The Governor Sir Rex Hunt, Lady Mavis Hunt and other Falklands officials including Gerald Cheek and his wife, Marie. Prince Andrew arrived via SeaKing Helicopter from Stanley shortly afterwards and watched the Tristar land along with H. E. and others from Stanley.
After welcoming his guests and touring the facility HRH Prince Andrew, who at the time was an RN Helicopter Pilot stationed aboard HMS BRAZEN, gave a rousing speech in the Tristar Hanger and was present at a sumptuous lunch provided by Kelvin Catering. HRH left for his shop after the formalities were over.
HRH Prince Andrew had spent the previous day at Blue Beach Cemetery, Fox Bay Village (East), unveiling a plaque at the building site for the KEMH, Opening the new school hostel and at a reception and dinner at Government House.
RAF Stanley closed in 1987, with MPA almost complete, except for snagging of a few new buildings. Intermittent years brought new developments like a shopping centre and a passenger lounge. The builders’ camp was removed and replaced with modern facilities for all working at the facility.
http://www.sartma.com/art_7675.html
(I remain highly sceptical of this actually happening, but let's not get in the way of a good headline...!)
Falklands ‘Death Star’ job for Wills
By JAMES CLENCH
PRINCE William will spend two months stationed on a Falklands RAF base - nicknamed DEATH STAR.
Trainee search-and-rescue pilot Wills, 27, is set to stay at RAF Mount Pleasant while his squadron provides cover for the islands.
The grim South Atlantic base's maze-like layout has led servicemen to compare it to the space station from Star Wars.
Mount Pleasant has a half-mile corridor, one of the world's longest. An RAF source said last night: "It's been known as the Death Star for years because of the giant corridor and the confusing design.
"It has a reputation for being pretty grim and soulless."
The base holds about 2,000 military personnel. It was opened in 1985 by Prince Andrew who, during the Falklands War, flew Sea Kings - the same type of chopper William will fly.
In 1999, top brass commissioned an artist to make the base more homely.
But the source said: "The Falklands is a really tough gig as you leave your wife or girlfriend at home."
William is currently learning to fly at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.
A source at St James's Palace confirmed William will go to the Falklands after passing a conversion course.
It is expected to end in September when the prince will fly for 22 Squadron C Flight.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...eath-Star.html
York and Portland trade places in the Falklands
25 May 2010
(a rare picture indeed these days)
RUSH hour in Mare Harbour – two sleek grey messengers of death and a couple of tugs.
In the foreground, HMS York prepares to leave the Falklands, her six-month deployment coming to an end...
... and in the background HMS Portland, about to relieve Britain’s fastest destroyer of her South Atlantic responsibilities.
It is, York tell us, “a considerable time” since a 23 and 42 were at the military port in the Falklands... not least in part because it’s typically 42s which conduct South Atlantic patrols, but also because the handovers are often conducted with the outgoing ship already homeward bound. (<--- read into that what you will)
Before making a bee-line for Blighty, York helped out the Falklands’ constant guardian.
During the brief stretches HMS Clyde’s alongside in Mare Harbour, the patrol ship draws her power from a shoreside generation.
It caught fire, so it fell to York to feed the River-class vessel some juice in the form of 200kw electricity.
There was another reason for Clyde being delighted to see the destroyer: aboard the former is gun maintainer LET(WE) Anne Musselwhite; aboard the latter CPO(MEM(M)) Paul Musselwhite, York’s chippy. The couple enjoyed a rare few hours together while both warships were alongside.
In the final days of her spell in the Southern Hemisphere, York hosted the British commander in the Falklands, Cdre Philip Thicknesse (who helped liberate the islands back in 1982). He and his staff used the destroyer’s fo’c’sle as the perfect backdrop for a group photo.
Also dropping in on the destroyer before her 9,000-mile homeward journey were the MOD’s civilian chaplains who represent faiths such as Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Islam and Hinduism.
How many Servicemen and women are followers of these religions?
Well, we’re glad you asked: there are 581 Buddhists, 134 Jews, 1,005 Hindus, 176 Sikhs and 809 Muslims across the three Forces.
The chaplains were paying a visit to the Falklands to see the work of the military in this distant relic of Empire.
That visit coincided with the Type 42 being alongside, so the civilian chaplains – who work alongside their military colleagues – toured York to experience life aboard a warship and talk with members of the ship’s company.
And so to home. The handover with Portland was brief and by mid-morning, the Fastest 42 was heading for Portsmouth via Fortaleza in northern Brazil, Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, and finally Lisbon.
She’s due to embark families for the final leg of the journey, arriving back in the Solent on June 11.
Picture: PO(AWT) Dutchy Holland, HMS York
Repatriations, of Chief Petty Officer Andrew Brooks (Royal Navy), and Corporal Stephen Walker (Royal Marines) to RAF Lyneham
HMS Lancaster returns to Portsmouth after a highly successful anti-piracy tour.
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