Indian Patrol Tasking

[Jamie]

INDIAN PATROL TASKING
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

SITUATION REPORT

The Royal Navy are seeking to maintain a permanent presence in the region - typically in the form of a frigate, supported by tankers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to undertake a range of maritime security operations. The deployment also provides opportunities to work with other navies, strengthening international ties and demonstrating the Royal Navy’s commitment to the region.

BELLIGERENTS

BLUFOR United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland OPFOR No Data Available

ORDER OF BATTLE

Royal Navy HMS Devonshire (Type 23 Frigate) [183] Sailors, Royal Navy [20] Royal Marines, 40 Commando A Company [2] Pacific 22 RIBs [1] Lynx Helicopter, 815 Naval Air Squadron, A Flight, WOLF003​ RFA Wave Ruler (Wave-class Tanker) [80] Sailors, Royal Fleet Auxiliary [20] Sailors, Royal Navy ​

CAMPAIGN REGISTER

Operation	Objective	Status
Indian Patrol Tasking 2002 JUNE 2002 -	Maintain a presence in the region, promote security and deter illicit activity.	In Progress
Operation Caledonian Aid JULY 2002 - MARCH 2003	Humanitarian and Advisory Support to the French Government in New Caledonia.	Complete
MAYDAY Investigation MARCH 2003 - MARCH 2003	Investigate mayday call for up to five vessels.	Complete

 

[Jamie]

Staff from across the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary had spent the last few days working rigorously to ensure all ships, equipment and aircraft were ready for their deployment that had already seen them tasked to a developing incident. Despite their focus been the Indian Ocean, they would be making their way to new Caledonia to lead efforts in what has been named Operation Caledonian Aid. Their mission? To deliver crucial humanitarian aid, provide medical assistance and act as in an advisory role for the French forces stationed in the region. Due to their first assignment, additional supplies were loaded and they were now accompanied by Royal Marines to provide fleet protection support and a fast-support tanker from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Vessels fulled stocked, the Lynx Helicopter had landed on HMS Devonshire following its departure from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and those in charge of the patrol had carried out a series of inspections before signing off the crew as ready. The families of those involved were given 12 hours to say their farewells, a time that seemed to pass quickly because in no time, the Frigate and Tanker begun to leave their home ports for the grueling journey to Diego Garcia for a resupply, where they would progress onto New Caledonia through the route: IO > IN > IM > JM > KM > KL > LK > MK > MI > NI > OH > PH > QH > RG. Although a lengthy trip, no day would be the same. Drills regularly taking place that covers fires, man overboard, water ingress ... just to name a few. The Lynx Helicopter crew would be sure to take opportunity to gain some flying hours and some target practice with the on-boards 7.62 General Purpose Machine Gun and naturally, the Royal Marines had their own experiences with long PT sessions or refresher practice for mounted weapons, Pacific 22 RIBs and participating in the drills that would be thrown in their direction.

For now, though, it was a long-haul until they arrive.

 

[Jamie]

After a lengthy journey, HMS Devonshire and her support vessel, RFA Wave Ruler, arrived in international waters bordering the French territory of New Caledonia. Crews across both vessels had undergone initial briefings regarding rules of engagements but all armaments were ready and operated to act in protection of the British Vessels as a last resort. The Lynx Helicopter sat comfortably on the landing pad due to the calm conditions of the region they were in after some questionable weather they encountered while en-route.

Drills still took place while they pended further instruction but in the meantime, a memo was sent to the French Government advising that the Patrol Tasking had arrived within proximity of New Calendonia and requested a point of contact to discuss the deployment of humanitarian aid and support. Heading the operation was the officer in charge of HMS Devonshire was Captain Feasey, it was his job to liaise with the French to support them during the dispute on the island and if they were no longer needed, the Frigate would resume its primary role of carrying out a patrol in the Indian Ocean. For now, though, they remained sat off in a distance until communication could be established.

Taranis​

 

[Jamie]

News had reached the crew of HMS Devonshire that had been granted access by the French government part of initial discussions of humanitarian assistance, concern was growing by those on-board given they were in the waters and the island was in sight. Orders emerged from London to carry out a reconnaissance of the island and provide an insight into the situation that those on the island faced. Due to the increased threat from another state actor, all weapon systems on-board the Type 23 Frigate had been activated with crew in helmets and body armor. Weapons manned consistently and the boarded Lynx Helicopter had a munitions swap. From the door, a general purpose machine gun was locked in place and 4 Sea Skua missiles were attached to the hard points, ready to go in the event of incoming fire from other naval craft.

Once ready, the Lynx Helicopter crew boarded with the support of four Royal Marines. Two in support of one sniper and one spotter with the capability of sniping from the weapons platform they were about to fly in. Their mission was non-combatant but they remained armed due to the unpredictable nature of the Thai military. Moments later, the Lynx lifted into the air and begun its short trip to the northern side of the island, a low altitude of 500ft above ground level with the aircrew and marines maintaining a constant look-out. Their focus was to review activity on the ground with an emphasis on military activity and signs of genuine occupation from Thailand.

As far as the UK Government were aware, the mission for HMS Devonshire is still legal and supported by the French. It was unsure as to whether the presence of the British ship was taken into consideration by the Thai government as the deployment was made public via news channels at the time but for self-preservation, a public memo would be sent out to the Thai military advising of a British military presence in the area and low-flying aircraft will be carrying out a patrol around the island under authority of the French government. Naturally, the position of the two ships and aircraft wouldn't be given the only competent force on the island that could pose a threat was in fact, Thailand.

This transmission, any movements from the Type 23 or routes flown by the Lynx would be recorded and sent back to the UK for audit purposes.

Taranis Bossza007​

 

[Jamie]

On-board HMS Devonshire, a radio transmission was heard calling out the vessel to identify itself. For the first few moments, there remained no response while those on the bridge conversed and collated information from the details of the message, having been unaware of the Polish Navy operating in the area. Perhaps there were more state actors present than originally told. Eventually, a response would be sent back in return to the Polish Navy:

"Polish Navy Ship Dąbie, Dąbie, Dąbie. This is HMS Devonshire, Devonshire, Devonshire. We are a Type 23 Frigate operating under the British Royal Navy, complemented by a Lynx Helicopter. We have a second vessel, a support tanker under the name RFA Wave Ruler not far behind and is operating on AIS. We are operating in New Caledonia under authority of the French Government to conduct humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in the area. What is your intention? Over."

Until this point, full focus had been on the Thai military due to the unpredictable nature of their so-called occupation, it's now unknown whether the Polish Navy were just nearby, or participating in any form of operation in the area. If it was information known to the UK, it hadn't been passed down to the Royal Navy warship that now sat off the coast of New Caledonia.

ManBear​

 

[Jamie]

Those on the bridge of HMS Devonshire fell silent, looking between one another as the Polish Navy responded. They had no briefing or indication that the Polish were also operating on the same tasking as them and with the escalation in the region, it would be a lie to say tension wasn't high. Before responding, the Captain of the vessel ordered one of his colleagues to relay information to London to advise of the development through encrypted channels - it's something the politicians would need to sort out and to get a better idea of the situation on the ground. Following this conversation, OKP Dabie was contacted again via encrypted, ship-to-ship, communications.

"OKP Dabie, HMS Devonshire. Thank you for clarification, we were also unaware of involvement from any other party beyond Thailand, there is a growing concern for safety if there may be additional state actors operating in the area. I have relayed this information to London and have requested a direct line of communications be open between our operational commanders. In the meantime, I am happy to negotiate efforts with yourself to avoid any form of escalation or collision. We have a small security detachment and our Lynx helicopter is carrying out reconnaissance on the north of New Caledonia as we are unaware of the intention of the Thai military at this time. We will inform you of any developments regarding their activity and any changes to our mission planning. Over."

At this point, the Lynx Helicopter had begun to circle the northern region of New Caledonia, ranging from Tiiabet down to Tilwit and the surrounding coastline.

ManBear Bossza007​

 

[Jamie]

The deployment of the Lynx Helicopter had come to an end as it made its approach to recover back on HMS Devonshire. Its time airbourne had been used to take images of the towns and villages in the north of New Caledonia and to better understand the terrain they faced for the incoming task group. During the return, HMS Devonshire would inform through encrypted radio channels their Polish and Thai counterparts (ManBear Bossza007 ) of its ending of the air patrol and is returning to the south, specifically for Nouméa to feed information back to Operation Rescript and to unload food, water and medical supplies. Any information, including that of the slim down of Thai forces would naturally be sent to the leadership onboard HMS Ocean which were to take full operational control.

The intent was to remain in deep water but in proximity of Noumea where the Lynx Helicopter could launch again to carry out further tasking in the city to review for AINC activity, locate potential requirements for assistance and monitor any movement of Thai forces. This would commence the moment HMS Devonshire entered the area and the aircraft refueled from the fuel stores on the Frigate and the Polish and Thai forces would, again, be informed when the Lynx takes to the sky to protect all coalition forces.

​

 

[Jamie]

Amid the arrival of a new French Government and the situation in New Caledonia to be becoming less of a focus point, the Indian Patrol Tasking were instructed to cease their operations in the area which marks an end to the sub-role, Operation Caledonian Aid. The Polish task force in the area would also be informed of this new development to avoid any confusion, advising that the UK are no longer operating new New Caledonia. ManBear Once the the Lynx Helicopter had returned to the Type 23 Frigate, the patrol could begin sailing back to their main area of operations, the Indian Ocean. Accompanied by RFA Wave Ruler, the two vessels were set for Diego Garcia to re-supply and will maintain an active role in the region. Meanwhile, information was sent from Diego Garcia to the patrol tasking of a wide-ranged SOS message but with no location.

"Sir, we've heard that there's been a mayday call for five vessels, without fuel..."

"Mayday because they need fuel, or other factors?"

"Unclear.. all we've got is a mayday for five vessels needing fuel. We're to search on the route back as no location or name has been given."

"Fantastic" replied the Captain. Throughout their journey back, all eyes were to look for anything out of the ordinary - likely 5 vessels nearby. With little information, it's assumed to be a risk to life given the communication received.

"Station calling MAYDAY, please advise of location." was sent through on channel 16 intermittently; having not heard the ENF Ziway make the same call. Bossza007 Naio90

 

[Jamie]

The MAYDAY situation that the vessels were previously investigated would be concluded to have ended given the overheard communications on Channel 16 indicating a resolution. The Type 23 Frigate and her accompanied RFA tanker would resume normal routine as a result. This would consist of regular drills whilst out at sea to ensure all crews were competent in their emergency preparedness training and war fighting capabilities. By this point they had entered proximity to Diego Garcia for a re-supply of fuel, food, water and other supplies to allow them to continue to operate. Once they had completed the resupply at Diego Garcia, the patrol would be ordered to head further west to provide security to commercial vessels transmitting the area which would normally cover going up the Suez Canal.

To ensure flying hours were remained, the Lynx Helicopters conduct regular patrols with a sniper team from the Royal Marines present to carry out practice of intercepting small craft. It also served as an opportunity to carry out fast roping down onto the RFA vessel for additional practice throughout the patrol.