HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy’s amphibious helicopter platform, has sailed from Devonport to take part in Exercise Trident Juncture, the largest NATO exercise since 2002.
Carrying Royal Marines from 45 Commando and Merlin, Apache and Chinook helicopters from the Fleet Air Arm, Army Air Corps and RAF, the ship will take her place in a task group of some 70 warships from across NATO.
The task group will be commanded by Rear Admiral Tony Radakin, whose headquarters is also embarked in HMS Ocean.
All these capabilities have embarked in the ship to take part Exercise Trident Juncture because it provides the ideal opportunity to train with and work alongside Navies from NATO allies and partner nations in the region.
It will also be the final ‘tick’ that clears the Royal Navy’s Maritime Battle Staff to command the naval element of the NATO Response Force in 2016, as NATO prepares for the multitude of challenges that face its member states.
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Image: Royal Navy