Interview: Captain Steve Chick, Commanding Officer, HMS Illustrious

Entering the Indian Ocean as part of the 'Orion 08' deployment, the Invincible-class aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was intent on demonstrating the UK's ability to globally deploy a carrier strike group for an extended period and contribute to coalition operations in the region.

GR.7 and GR.9 Harrier aircraft embarked in the UK Royal Navy (RN) flagship flew training sorties over ranges off the Omani coast, and personnel went ashore to support local naval and coastguard forces.

"The Royal Navy of Oman are looking at introducing some powerful new corvettes equipped with Lynx helicopters, so they were keen to learn from us how to operate aircraft from ships, how to maintain them and how to operate the decks," says Captain Steve Chick.

"To facilitate this we put a party ashore at their local air station to brief them on the operation of naval aircraft. Some Omani naval officers also went on the Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh to understudy flight deck officers, aircraft controllers, officers of the watch and other key posts."

Although the number of Harriers - four - was fewer than on similar taskings in the past, Capt Chick maintains that key elements of the UK's carrier strike capability were proven.

"Because the UK's Harrier force is so heavily committed at the moment to Afghanistan, we were unable to embark a full squadron. With the numbers that we had, however, the Royal Navy was able to prove the 'firing chain': everything from logistics support from the UK, to our accompanying auxiliaries, right through to actually launching the jets, providing the targeting information and delivering the munitions.

Image: Captain Steve Chick (Royal Navy) 262 of 964 words