A total of 53 Royal Naval reservists are taking part in a tri-Service multi-national exercise off the coast of Scotland.
Exercise Joint Warrior is held in the spring and autumn of every year and provides high quality tactical training for the three UK armed forces, as well as visiting units from allied nations.
The idea is that the exercise will allow them to practise vital skills needed in modern conflicts.
Running until October 17, 16 naval units are taking part along with over 40 fixed wing aircraft and a number of UK and allied land forces. The maritime contingent will involve ships from the UK, France, Denmark and Norway with Commander Danish Task Group leading the operations on board HDMS Absalon.
Joint Warrior also gives reservists the perfect opportunity to hone their seamanship skills. One such reservists is Able Seaman Amy Dodd, 30, a business banking clerk with Santander in Liverpool.
A member of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) mine warfare branch, Amy’s role in the exercise is working as a mine warfare rating in the Sandown class mine hunter HMS Bangor.
“I love being at sea and putting all the training I’ve had to good effect,”
Amy, who attends HMS Eaglet, the port city’s RNR unit.
Royal Navy ships taking part include the Type 23 frigates from Plymouth HMS Monmouth, HMS Portland, HMS Somerset, HMS Sutherland and HMS Northumberland. Mine hunters HMS Cattistock, HMS Brocklesby, HMS Bangor joined them in Glasgow ahead of the exercise.
[mappress] Press Release, October 15, 2013; Image: Royal Navy