UK | Maritime Group 2

[Jamie]

MARITIME GROUP 2
Operation Directive, November 1998
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

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XI. PRELIMINARYX
The Royal Navy has received funding to deploy Maritime Group 2, a successor to the first group that is coming to the end of its deployment following the conclusion of Exercise Iron Trident. The value of a deployed Maritime Group has been praised due to its deploy-ability to any situation in the world at short notice which justifies a second group.

XII. BELLIGERENTSX

Blufor United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Opfor

XIII. STRENGTHX

ACTIVE DEPLOYMENT
[1] HMS Illustrious (Invincible-class Aircraft Carrier)

[650] Royal Navy Personnel
[350] Fleet Air Arm Personnel
[200] 4-2 Commando, B & C Company
[12] British Aerospace Harrier II GR.9A (802 Sqn, [E, F, G] Flight)
[4] Westland Sea King HC.4 (847 Sqn, B Flight)
[2] Westland Sea King ASaC7 (882 Sqn, C Flight, [OVERSEER 5, OVERSEER 6])​

[1] HMS Edinburgh (Type 42 Destroyer)

[253] Royal Navy Personnel​

[1] HMS Gloucester (Type 42 Destroyer)

[253] Royal Navy Personnel​

[1] HMS Lancaster (Type 23 Frigate)

[185] Royal Navy Personnel
[2] Pacific 22 RIBs​

[1] HMS Monmouth (Type 23 Frigate)

[185] Royal Navy Personnel
[2] Pacific 22 RIBs​

[1] HMS Turbulent (Trafalgar-class Submarine)

[130] Royal Navy Personnel​

[1] HMS Vengeance (Vanguard-class Submarine)

[135] Royal Navy Personnel​

[16] Trident D5​

[1] RFA Pacific (Wave-class Tanker)

[80] Royal Fleet Auxiliary Personnel​

[1] RFA Blyth (Fort Victoria-class Replenishment Oiler)

[264] Royal Fleet Auxiliary Personnel​

XIV. CASUALTIES AND LOSSESX

Blufor	Opfor	Non-Combatant
Dead: 0 Wounded: 0	Dead: 0 Wounded: 0

XV. OPERATING BASESX

Designation	Location	Status

XVI. CAMPAIGN REGISTERX

Operation	Description	Status
Maritime Group 2 NOV1998 - JUNE2000	Readiness Deployment	Successful
Operation Banshee JAN2000 - MAY2000	Combat Operations in Turkey	Successful

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[Jamie]

Authorization for Maritime Group 2 to depart was given the green light as crews spent the last few days moving stores across all vessels to last for 30 days, ensuring fuel was full and all crew was accounted for. Checks had been carried out to minimize the risk of any problems and their families had said their goodbyes. With the escalating tension in Russia, briefings had taken place as to the prospect of any response been done by Maritime Group 2 if required although it was not expected to take place. Once all vessels were ready and fully loaded, the initial part of the deployment was have all craft meet in the middle of the North Sea as a placeholder until formal confirmation was given on the main operating area for the task group. To prevent any confusion or concern, an encrypted message was sent to the Swedish Government advising of a presence in the North Sea of a British Carrier Strike Group for the time being but will likely be leaving the region in the coming weeks. (Connor ).

Although a rather passive start, the importance of drills were expressed among those on board. From taking on water, to fire drills, each day consisted of training and making sure all were up to scratch before any major operations took place with the group.

 

[Jamie]

With Maritime Group 1 officially stood down and back in the United Kingdom, Group 2 was taking the lead. Escalating tensions in the Mediterranean and near South Africa were the United Kingdoms main concern and with that said, Maritime Group 2 has received the instruction to re-locate to Gibraltar. This would act as a staging point and a visit to the Oversea Territory whilst having the flexibility to divert to South Africa, or Cyprus, based on operational requirements. Naturally, this movement was private information. The transit was thought to be straight forward, all action stations active which was inclusive of weapons and other systems such as radars. This was all part of normal procedure, but even more important with the global tension. It was hopeful that the deployment to Gibraltar would be a stepping stone to a training exercise in the region, and one that would ideally be with other nations.The movement was kept as secret as possible.

 

[Jamie]

Noting that Operation Banshee was coming to a conclusion and Maritime Group II had ended military operations, the fleet had finally returned home after it's 18 month oversea deployment to the sight of their families, friends and spectators who had come to welcome the entire fleet back to their respective home-ports. This would mark the completion of Maritime Group II and see all vessels down for cleaning and maintenance, with sailors who participated spending time at home for Rest and Recovery - operation ended.