Hundreds of sailors, airmen and Royal Marines who made up one of the biggest Navy deployments to the Far East in recent years returned home to the UK yesterday, Monday 3 August 2009.
The TAURUS 09 Task Group sailed from the UK in February 2009 with the aim of maintaining the Royal Navy’s fighting capability as well as developing the UK’s capacity to operate with key partners and allies from NATO countries and other nations.
The deployment also aimed to enhance interoperability and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean, Middle East and South East Asia.
In exercising global deployment, the Task Group conducted a wide range of activities, including maritime security operations, anti-piracy patrols, and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare, culminating in a multi-national amphibious and jungle training exercise in Brunei.
At its maximum strength 3,300 personnel took part in the 20,400-mile (32,800km) round-trip deployment, training together and building relations with 17 nations.
Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell said:
“Maintenance of operational capability across all military disciplines is key for defence. The planning and execution of this deployment has honed essential skills not exercised in current operations.
“The diplomacy fostered with international partners through TAURUS 09 has ensured the United Kingdom’s influence and ability to respond in circumstances requiring amphibious intervention is maintained.”
The UK contingent of the Task Group arrived at HM Naval Base Devonport yesterday in three warships, HMS Ocean, HMS Somerset and HMS Bulwark.
The Task Group was commanded from amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark by Commander UK Amphibious Task Group, Commodore Paul Bennett, who said:
“The Taurus deployment has been a great success. It has been a substantial undertaking that has sent a clear message to friends and enemies alike that the Royal Navy continues to be a force with which to reckon.
“We have improved our military amphibious and underwater warfare capabilities, demonstrated the ability to deploy substantial military power around the globe, refreshed important military partnerships and supported UK Government’s efforts in a wide range of countries.
“All in all, it has been a powerful combination to deploy around the world. It is also the main capability that the UK would deploy for a contingent task and Taurus has provided an excellent opportunity to make sure the Royal Navy is ready whenever called upon to respond.”
The Task Force originally comprised ten ships, a nuclear-powered submarine, an embarked helicopter group and Royal Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando Royal Marines.
Commodore Bennett said:
“Everything that has been achieved in TAURUS 09 has been down to the impressive dedication, hard work and the talents of the men and women of the Task Group.
“For six months away from family and friends their flexibility and skill have been the deciding factors in the success of the deployment.
“They have been a privilege to command, have invariably performed extremely well and deserve the warm welcome and leave that awaits them in the UK.”
