Found this today.....
801 at ACMI.
For the Brits, the two-week ‘battle’ proved invaluable, both for giving 801 the ‘cutting edge’ needed for what promises to be a busy 2005, and for picking up – and passing on – tips from Allied pilots.
Why will 2005 be busy, and then suddenly whatever caused the need for this activity to magically go away in 2006?
And
this from Culdrose.
.........are designed to demonstrate Britain’s ability to deploy, operate and sustain a maritime strike force and to reinforce the Government’s commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean and Gulf regions..
But everything will be secure and peaceful after 2006? No?
Lastly, the latest Merlin thread caused me look at this page:
The Role Of An Aircraft Carrier
In order to succeed in either the MarStrike or LitM role, the CVS will need to operate effectively within the littoral environment (defined as coastal sea areas and that portion of the land, which is susceptible to influence or support from the sea). To achieve this, sea lines of communication between support vessels and the battle area/theatre of operation need to be protected at all times. Integrated with other task group units, aircraft, such as the Merlin HM Mk1 and Sea King ASaC Mk7, will be used to achieve the sea control (or freedom of action to use the sea for our own purpose) necessary to assure littoral access.
Surely "Optimised Access" should include air defence?