UK Ministry of Defence, Operation Vela involves 3,000 personnel and numerous Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, as well as Royal Marine Commandos and Royal Navy helicopters. They will be demonstrating the UK's ability to conduct coastal and beach operations in the challenging hot equatorial and jungle environments of West Africa.
The deployment is also designed to demonstrate the UK's Littoral Manoeuvre, or, over the horizon capacity, which involves influencing land that is a significant distance from the sea.
The operation consists of two phases. The first, Exercise Grey Cormorant, has been running since 4 September 2006 off the South West coast of England. It has seen Royal Marines conducting boat and air training, helicopter and boat raids, and a dramatic amphibious Commando assault on the Devon coast.
Also part of Exercise Grey Cormorant, Exercise Airburst saw numerous helicopters from HMS Ocean and HMS Albion landing in formation at the Cornwall flying club. The helicopters included Sea Kings, Lynxes and Chinooks, and tested the ability of the Task Group to launch and recover multiple aircraft types efficiently and safely by day and night. It also allowed the pilots to practice formation flying skills and landing involving a large number of aircraft.
The second phase of the Operation, Exercise Green Eagle, will involve the Task Group deploying to Sierra Leone, West Africa, from 11 October
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