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00:00 [Background chatter]
00:13 What is your rank?
00:14 I'm Commodore.
00:16 And how long have you served in the war in 1904?
00:19 That's a really good question. I joined in '96. So what are we up to now? We are, what's that, 27 years? Yeah.
00:26 And is this the first time you've been on a HMAS British?
00:30 No, not at all. So I was Commander Air, so Wings, in 2018 to 2019. So I did all the developmental test trials and brought the carrier aviation into service.
00:40 In 2019, '20 and '21 I was a carrier air wing commander CAG. So I was embarked for CSG 21, excuse me, and then I'm now back on board as Commodore.
00:50 So this is my third rank on board and third job. So it's about six years of history with the ship now.
00:56 So you must be all geared up and excited for the deployment because it seems like one of the bigger operations that we may be doing this year.
01:02 Yeah, absolutely. So massively excited to go out on CSG 23. I took command back in May, so there's been a lot of preparation and getting ready for this.
01:11 Carrier strike groups are designed to be out at sea delivering effect and that's very much what we're doing this autumn. So can't wait to get out there this afternoon.
01:18 Why did you guys pick to deploy to the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean? Is it just the different environments for the different naval forces or is it something in part?
01:25 Well, in part, in 2021, we went more global to the Indo-Pacific. For the next year or two, we'll be more focused on the Euro-Atlantic region.
01:36 And that's just making sure that we demonstrate our capability and credibility with our partners and allies, that we dock in with our nearest European allies close to home.
01:44 So that we're, you could almost say we're spread betting, you know, we can make sure we're integrated and interoperable in both parts of the globe.
01:51 For now, and particularly with a war in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, you know, for us this is a strengthened NATO.
02:00 It's about making sure that we're absolutely integrated, united with NATO and Jeff.
02:05 You mentioned the bombings earlier. Do you think this will show Russia that you guys are all prepared and both naval forces can work together in a variety of situations?
02:12 Should you be deployed more advanced?
02:15 I think so. I mean, as I was alluding to earlier on, you deploy a carrier strike group to maintain its readiness and demonstrate its capability and credibility.
02:22 And all nations will be watching that globally who want to take an interest.
02:27 So it behoves us to make sure that we go out there and we do absolutely demonstrate capability and credibility.
02:32 How prepared do you think you are ahead of deployment?
02:35 I'm hugely prepared. Yeah, I mean, the crew are buzzing on board. You can just sense that, as well as the other ships within the strike group and the embark squadrons.
02:43 So, no, I've got absolute confidence and faith in the whole team coming together to deliver CSG 23.
02:50 There's been a lot of talk in various news sources about the Navy not having as much resources that many think about.
02:54 Do you think operations like this sort of dispel those myths and a bit of that cynicism that the Royal Navy can operate and protect the UK's influence abroad?
03:03 Absolutely. And it will be telling that when people look at the dockyard tomorrow, both aircraft carriers won't be here.
03:08 They'll both be deployed in the Atlantic or North Atlantic, delivering effect.
03:13 We have many other Royal Navy ships deployed globally at the moment and other formations as well.
03:18 So I think this autumn is a real demonstration of the Navy's capability, readiness and credibility as a global Navy.
03:26 Obviously, you don't have to go into specifics about this next mission, but will you be trying newer exercises that you may have not done before?
03:33 Do you think it's going to be testing new things as well as old?
03:35 Yeah, absolutely. So and that's always you always want to be pushing the boundaries and doing that little bit extra than you've done before, because that's the only way you develop a capability.
03:43 So we'll be, as I alluded to earlier, we'll be working with Norway, Finland and Sweden, integrating our aircraft with their aircraft,
03:51 projecting power at range, working alongside the Air Force for air to air refuelling.
03:56 And those are exercises we've not partaken in before. So this is a really good chance to do that.
04:00 Our work with NATO will be fundamental.
04:04 We've for many years, we've not had the opportunity to offer a carrier strike group to NATO to deliver enhanced activity.
04:13 We'll be doing that this October. So again, that's another good demonstration of how we're docking something new and doing something different.
04:18 What are some of the benefits of the Royal Navy working alongside NATO?
04:22 It's about integration, interoperability, readiness and an ability to work together when called upon.
04:28 The cornerstone of NATO is deterrence and then an ability to defend if required.
04:33 And hopefully you hope that deterrence gets there first.
04:36 And you can only deliver deterrence if it's credible and you can demonstrate that credibility if you deploy as a sovereign carrier strike group that can then integrate with NATO and Jeff Partners.
04:46 And finally, do you think the Royal Navy still projects that sphere of influence of the United Kingdom and how important it is that ships are forward deployed, not just on training exercises, but in other places across the globe?
04:58 Yes, I think absolutely we're demonstrating that. We have two ships permanently based in the Pacific.
05:02 We've got ships based in the Indian Ocean and Gulf, as well as the Mediterranean, as well as here.
05:08 That gives massive influence. It supports our allies globally. It shows a global and modern and ready Navy.
05:16 Because you don't know where you might be asked to fight next. So if you've got influence, you understand the environment already, you're already a step ahead.
05:25 [Music]
05:38 How long have you served in the Royal Navy?
05:40 Okay, so I joined in '99. So where are we? 25? 24 years or so?
05:46 25 years. I'm just a ship. Your rank is a... Captain.
05:50 Captain. And obviously the new CO.
05:54 Well, yeah, I joined in July. I joined on July the 5th. And obviously it's a real, I mean, it's a career highlight. Absolute privilege to be given the flagship, the trust of the national flagship to command.
06:08 And more importantly, of course, let's not forget, this is not necessarily about the ship, but the people within it. 750 to 800 ships company who are absolutely spot on, tip top, ready to go. So it's a real privilege.
06:22 Do you think you'll be able to handle the pressure on your shoulders of that new role, but also being in charge of the crew here?
06:29 Well, I hope so. And I'm definitely up for the challenge. I'm sure there'll be days where it will be challenging, of course. I mean, that's sort of in some ways some of the beauty of a career in the Navy.
06:38 You never know quite what to expect. And expecting the unexpected for that cliche. But I mean, yeah, I am. I'm very fortunate. I've commanded ships before.
06:48 And this is at the end of the day, a ship and with sailors that we need to get out over the horizon and do the business.
06:55 So, you know, that comes. Yes, there's more of them and everything's a bit bigger. But ultimately, the kind of instinct and the relationship that you form with your team and the empowerment of your team to get on and do the job just remains the same.
07:08 It sounds like all the members of the crew are all geared and ready to go after a nice long break.
07:13 Well, they did have a good break and that is important that we come into a busy season ahead where it's going to get very, very busy with the exercises and a number of committed capabilities that are all at play, not least with just the Royal Navy, but our partners as well.
07:30 So, you know, fatigue and stamina, if you like, and being able to look after the ship's company so that they can continue to perform to our peers is important.
07:41 So coming in rested at the start line, which they have done, is great.
07:46 But also, let's not forget the two weeks it's taken to get all the stores and all the technical equipment on board and all the extra personnel, because, of course, we go from probably 800 people normally to 1500, I'm standing with 1500 people on board.
08:01 So that in itself is something for a lot of people to get used to because it's busy down there.
08:07 Do you think there'll be any challenges when you guys are on deployment?
08:11 Yeah, I think I think there always are. And, you know, so keeping the ships at sea, keeping the equipment running, I mean, not least with airplanes, any kind of aviation is always a technical capability and that requires a lot of technical know-how and support.
08:29 And then when we move to the fact that we've got a lot of young young sailors who have joined perhaps joining for their first deployment, first time at sea and just getting used to being on a busy ship, busy tempo, getting up at strange times of the day, running long watches, being out of communications with their family, perhaps for periods of time that they haven't had for a while.
08:48 I mean, these are things that they that we all need to we all of us together. We're all in it together. Get over that.
08:53 So I think those will be the sort of challenges that you can imagine we'll we'll have to come up against.
08:58 I should expect a lot of work of the aircraft carriers are under a microscope by politicians and Navy experts and so on.
09:04 How important is it to showcase the capabilities of the aircraft carrier between Islesmouth and the crew on board?
09:10 Yeah, absolutely. And I think, you know, the team are really that's kind of why they're in the Navy is to get on that ship and demonstrate what it can do.
09:17 We spend a lot of time and investment, both physically and emotionally, to get the ship over the start line and out to sea.
09:24 So for my team, it's really, really important. And I think the point you allude to as well is that it's important to showcase it to not just the wider Navy, the local community, but also out to wider defence.
09:37 So the wider defence community recognise that this is a defence asset that's yes, it's safeguarded by the Navy, but it's a defence asset with all sorts of defence capability thrown into it.
09:47 And it's a huge enterprise, very complex and not one part can work without the other.
09:53 So, yeah, it's really, really important that we show it to defence.
09:56 And then and then finally, the level, you know, the wider general public and the nation at large need to recognise as an island that, you know, and we are a large part of what we do.
10:08 And our access internationally comes from having a modern, credible Navy that can operate at reach.
10:15 What are some of the benefits of working with NATO allies and some of the other naval forces during this project?
10:21 Well, again, I mean, it's unlikely you become more of the sum of your parts so they can bring areas like escorts, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, other training opportunities, all these elements where you build them into the task group.
10:39 And therefore, the task group itself becomes more than just ships and people.
10:43 It builds relationships and it forms tactics and you look at opportunities to develop tactics further in the future.
10:52 So from every level, working together sort of basically creates more mass than you sort of arrive with at the start line.
11:01 And finally, obviously, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is continuing and some of the conflicts are appearing across the world.
11:08 Do you think operations such as this one prepares the crew for any eventualities that may come up?
11:14 So I think, you know, the analogy is often given as an insurance company, right?
11:19 So by having a decent, credible, modern armed forces generally is an insurance policy.
11:24 We all have insurance on all of our cars.
11:26 And the point is, we kind of hope that we're not going to have an accident.
11:28 We hope that we don't need to claim on insurance.
11:31 But we kind of want to know that when you do claim on insurance, is that a payout?
11:35 And I think that analogy works for us.
11:37 We get out there, we go over the horizon, we do what we do so that we can basically come the day of the races, if we're called upon, we can deliver what we need to deliver.
11:47 How long have you served in the Royal Navy for?
11:57 A year and a half, so I'm kind of fresh.
12:00 And just to check, this is your first deployment?
12:04 Yes.
12:05 Okay, so I'm just going to ask some very basic questions.
12:12 So Paige, this is your first deployment. How are you feeling about it, ahead of setting off this evening?
12:21 I'm excited, yeah. I'm looking forward to actually getting out there, getting stuck into my job, doing some new things, meeting some new people.
12:28 The task group's so big, we've got a lot of new people on ship as well, so yes, I'm excited.
12:33 What are you looking forward to the most?
12:35 Gosh, again, just getting stuck in my job, learning new things, because I feel like every single day you learn something new, you know, so I'm looking forward to doing that, working with new people, getting a really good routine with the watches and stuff, and seeing some new countries as well, because we're going to Sweden.
12:52 Can you explain a little bit more about your role as an ET and what sort of stuff you'll be doing?
12:56 Yeah, of course, I'm a communications ET, so I do circuits, internal/external communications with the other ships that are in our task group, as well as our inland base ports, and set up circuits for flying, and actually within the ship with the ops room and the bridge and stuff like that. So that's what I do, actually.
13:15 It must be really different to finally be going out on deployment and getting stuck in, after all the training you've gone through.
13:21 Yeah, it's going to be a big change, yeah, definitely, for sure. Especially, like I said, our job is relatively, mostly happens at sea, and obviously when we're actually not alongside, so it's going to be a big difference, but yeah, I'm excited.
13:35 And it must be really exciting to obviously work with, obviously, other allies, other naval forces as well. What does that experience look like?
13:41 It's going to be interesting as well, to see the differences between the RN and the RAF, and it's going to be interesting to see what everyone's like and how we gel, and yeah, it's going to be good.
13:50 Are you confident ahead of deployment? Do you think you'll be able to do everything alright?
13:54 I think so, yeah. We've got a good team in the MCO, the communications office, and they're all going to be there to help if I need it, when I need it. Yeah, I'm feeling confident.
14:02 And finally, why did you join the Royal Navy? What made you decide to do that?
14:05 Do you want the quick answer? Well, my brother used to serve in the Navy, he was a stoker, which is an engineer, and I just wanted to get out of my home, do something different, do something new, something unique, so here I am.
14:33 So Mark, what is your rank as a double-chair commodore of the air group?
14:37 I'm captain, so Captain Royal Navy, I am commander of the air group.
14:41 And how long have you served in the Royal Navy for?
14:44 Nearly 27 years now.
14:46 So Mark, do you think all the preparations are in place for the deployment of the carrier strike group?
14:59 Absolutely, it's not the first deployment of the carrier strike group, but we deployed this time last year, so the preparations will be going on all year.
15:08 The squadrons, my remit is to command the strike capability of the UK carrier strike group, and a major part of that strike capability is from the aircraft, both fixed wing, obviously, but also from the rotary side.
15:21 So it's a dispersed group of units that come together that we have to then operate in this, off the aircraft carrier, clearly.
15:31 So the squadrons have been away doing their own things, for example, 617 have been training over in Alaska this summer, doing some high-end exercise training over there.
15:39 The rotary squadrons have been doing their ASW training and the tall strike training with the Wildcat, and now it's my job to coalesce it all together.
15:49 Definitely the first couple of weeks when we set sail, we're actually fairly early into an exercise off East Anglia, exercise Cobra Warrior, which is a major air exercise we do in the UK.
15:59 So we've got to get the ship safely operating, and the wings on the aircraft carrier, he's responsible for the safe operation of the flight deck on behalf of the ship's CO.
16:10 So my job is to make sure that with him, we ensure the air group's good to go, and then we start getting into the more tactical elements of what we can go and do.
16:19 How important is it for the air group to have regular training exercises like you mentioned?
16:23 It's hugely important. To be able to come to sea, it is the most demanding environment you can operate an aircraft off, both day and night.
16:33 Good weather, bad weather, all the way around the world in different conditions, whether that's humid conditions, cold conditions.
16:38 So regularity, if that is a word, is a really useful thing to do.
16:45 However, it's important that F-35 goes over to the United States, for example, and participates in the high-end exercises as they can over here.
16:54 However, it's also going to be really useful this autumn to be able to operate with NATO and our JETF partners for all the assets and capabilities that they bring,
17:03 and operating in an area of the world that we would operate in the future, and it is our backyard as well.
17:09 So I think from my perspective, having commanded 617 prior and having grown up with the aircraft carrier over the last five years or so,
17:17 I believe that this activity we're going to do this autumn is some of the best flying we've done yet as a strike group, to perfect preparation for F-35.
17:25 What are some of the capabilities of the F-35s that are going to be used in these exercises?
17:29 So as you know, it's a stealth platform which brings its fifth generation capabilities, which is a step change from what we've owned before as the United Kingdom.
17:37 It really is a game changer. Having been in the cockpit, we have bought the best piece of equipment that we could have bought as the United Kingdom.
17:44 It's designed for people who call it often the first day of the war capability, that's what it does, and it provides a choice to the United Kingdom as to what we can do.
17:53 Not only that, as a sovereign nation, but it also allows us to support our partners and allies and plug in credibly with the United States, for example, for NATO to provide that overall capability.
18:03 The F-35 being a JET that has been purchased by nations all around the globe now, and we need that ability to be able to operate at the same level.
18:12 And finally, do you think all the kit, equipment and the fighters that are going to be used in this operation, do you think they're advanced enough?
18:20 Do you think it's the state of the art weaponry that the United Kingdom needs?
18:23 Absolutely. In my opinion, you can't operate in today's theatres without having that fifth generation capability, and I've seen it from the cockpit, so I can talk with credibility on that.
18:36 It is, as I said earlier, it is the game changing capability. You still need your fourth gen capabilities.
18:42 So, for example, in the United Kingdom, we have Typhoon. Typhoon and F-35 are complementary to each other and will work very closely together.
18:49 We train daily with our Typhoon colleagues, so it's not F-35 just operating on its own. It is a complementary capability. However, it is a critical capability.
18:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]