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"HMS Ark Royal" set for Gulf

Kuwait News Agency

01/16/2003

LONDON, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Britain's most powerful warship was sailing from Scotland Thursday having completed its final domestic preparations for a potential war in the Gulf, the British Royal Navy said.

"HMS Ark Royal" was leaving the Glen Douglas armaments base in Argyll, Scotland, bound for the Mediterranean where it will take part in exercises. The aircraft carrier will then head for the Gulf region should the US and Britain launch military action against Iraq.

HMS Ark Royal sailed to Scotland last Monday escorted by a flotilla of tugs. Since then it has been loaded with munitions and equipment, and been targeted by anti-war protesters.

This morning separate anti-war demonstrations were being held at the base and outside the Scottish Parliament, in Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh protest coincides with a debate during which Members of the Scottish Parliament will discuss the looming threat of war.

Brian Quail, joint secretary of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said "The protests against HMS Ark Royal illustrate that most people in Scotland want nothing to do with this war and the Scottish Parliament should reflect this view".

The Royal Navy yesterday confirmed the ship would be sailing from the west coast of Scotland after a three-day stopover.

"She has completed the loading operation and everything has gone according to plan", a Royal Navy spokesman said.

The 20,000-tonne aircraft carrier left her home base of Portsmouth, southern England, last Saturday, the first of 15 British ships to be sent to the Gulf as pressure on Saddam Hussein continues to build.

HMS Ark Royal is spearheading the largest maritime deployment by the British Royal Navy for 20 years which will see 5,000 Navy personnel and 3,000 Royal Marine Commandos dispatched to the region.

Meanwhile, the British warship "HMS Ocean" was leaving British shores today for a training exercise, and possible action against Iraq, the Royal Navy added.

HMS Ocean, which is designed to deliver amphibious troops to shore by helicopter and landing craft, was leaving the Devonport Naval Base, in Plymouth, south west England, for the eastern Mediterranean.

Around 300 Royal Marines have joined the ship at Plymouth.

HMS Ocean also has on board 400-air crew and a 350-strong ship's company, under the command of Captain Adrian Johns.

The vessel is to join the aircraft carrier "HMS Ark Royal", 13 other vessels and a submarine to form the "Naval Task Group".

Officially the Task Group is to take part in pre-planned training exercises lasting several months, but the move is seen as a readiness for any attack on Saddam Hussein's regime should the decision be taken, military experts said.

HMS Ocean was leaving dock today carrying six "Gazelle" reconnaissance helicopters and six "Lynx" attack helicopters.

Soon after departure from Plymouth she will take on board ten "Sea King" support helicopters from 845 Naval Air Squadron, in Yeovilton, south west England.

HMS Ocean had planned to carry out training exercises off Scotland this month.

Her deployment to the eastern Mediterranean is said to add "military muscle" to the Naval Task Group, the military experts added. (end)