MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
RFA ‘Black Rover’ returns to UK after 18 months support operations in Falklands
Captain Whyte underlined ‘versatility of the small Rover Class Tanker’ Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Black Rover is returning to the UK on Sunday after an 18-month deployment in support of the Royal Navy operations in UK Overseas Territories including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, St Helena and Tristan Da Cunha.
The ship's Commanding Officer Captain Paul Whyte said: “The ship has been busy conducting maritime security operations across the wide expanse of the South Atlantic visiting British Dependent Islands as well as providing direct support to deployed warships and British Forces in the Falklands.
”The ship's company demonstrated superb resilience against the omni-present threat or purgatory of bad weather knowing that our radius of operations would eventually bring sunshine and fair weather.
“Throughout the deployment, the ship has again demonstrated the versatility of the small Rover Class Tanker and the valued part the RFA can play in support of British interests around the world.”
Since undergoing her last refit in 2009/2010 RFA Black Rover underwent operational sea training by the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation (FOST) in Devonport, prior to deploying to the South Atlantic and arrived in the Falkland Islands in June 2010.
The ship – which includes sailors from Plymouth – is due to arrive into Portland in Dorset on Sunday to undergo maintenance before taking up further duties.
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Read all commentsA, great ship
Sep 22nd, 2011 - 09:59 pm 0It has finished its operational tasks,
Amazing what xxx equipment these things can carry,
An auxiliary ship visiting xxx and xxx and xxx,
Comes back empty,
She deserves a well earned rest,
Welcome back RFA Black rover, wink wink ..
xxx equipment? It's a tanker. I'm sure that if certain goods were to be transported discreetly then they'd probably stick it on the prototype Bay-class landing ship that they've sold to Australia and is being delivered towards the end of the year (hell of a big Christmas present).
Sep 23rd, 2011 - 12:48 pm 0You could fit an awful lot of stuff on one of those monsters, like half an armoured brigade...
Don't be an idiot all your life Rufus, Do you even know how many troops are in a Brigade? And how many ships it would take to move an ARMORED brigade?
Sep 23rd, 2011 - 09:22 pm 0It would take about seven dedicated transport ships to move an armored brigade across an ocean.
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