Six months of mixed operations aboard HMS Prince of Wales have strengthened cooperation between British and Norwegian naval forces, the Royal Navy have said.
The Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen has spent the previous half-year as a key component of the UK Service Strike Group throughout Operation Highmast, offering safety for the Royal Navy’s flagship because the power deployed by the Mediterranean, Center East, and Indo-Pacific.
All through the deployment, the Amundsen has embarked a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, together with its flight crew and engineers from RNAS Yeovilton.
The crew has operated as a part of the Norwegian ship’s firm, supporting missions throughout a number of areas, together with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Commander Senior Grade Stian Schnelle, commanding officer of Roald Amundsen, described the expertise as a profitable demonstration of Anglo-Norwegian naval integration. “Working with the crew from the 815 Squadron has thus far been an actual pleasure, and is really a proof of idea for Norwegian-UK cooperation,” he mentioned. “They’re true professionals and make a decisive contribution to make HNoMS Roald Amundsen a reputable and efficient contribution to the Service Strike Group and our mission.”
He added that the partnership had constructed momentum towards the long run Kind 26 frigate period, when each navies will function UK-built warships within the North Atlantic. Oslo has ordered 5 of the identical class, supposed to patrol alongside Royal Navy vessels and allied P-8 maritime patrol plane.
UK Service Strike Group Commander Commodore James Blackmore mentioned the collaboration had been “seamless”. “Their professionalism, ability and dedication to collective defence make them an integral a part of the crew,” he said. “The mixing of our Norwegian companions not solely strengthens the group operationally but in addition demonstrates our collective resolve to uphold the safety and stability of the North Atlantic as allies.”
The Royal Navy mentioned latest years have seen nearer cooperation with Norway throughout a number of domains, from Royal Marines’ annual Arctic coaching to joint operations involving patrol boats, Wildcats, and the testing of the Naval Strike Missile.
Commander Hjalmar Rasmussen, Amundsen’s govt officer, famous within the information launch that the British helicopter crew had been absolutely absorbed into life aboard. “The helicopter crew has grown to be a part of the crew and absolutely included in the whole lot on board,” he mentioned. “There are surprisingly few cultural variations, and we actually recognize benefiting from their viewpoints on the way to run a naval vessel and crew.”