ROYAL NAVY OPERATIONS 1957–2009

Active Endeavour	2001 Mediterranean (maritime surveillance and security)
Agila	11–13.12.1979 Rhodesia (monitor cease-fire)
Alleviate	23.6–8.7.1997 Adriatic (evacuation from Albania)
Allied Force	12.6–24.8.1999Adriatic (NATO clearance of ordnance off Kosovo)
Allied Harvest	12.6–24.8.1999Adriatic (NATO-UN security/clearance)
Armilla	7.10.1980 Persian Gulf (naval security patrols)
Armilla Accomplice	26.3–31.12.1984 Gulf (mine counter-measures)
Balsac	15–28.1.1986Aden (service assisted evacuation of PDRY)
Banner	7.6–20.10.1989 Northern Ireland (security operations)
Basilica	12.1–18.3.1999 West Africa (support to civil power, Sierra Leone)
Bold Step	7.2007 North Atlantic (joint RN-US Navy security exercises)
Bolton	14.11.1997 Gulf (preparations to enforce UN Resolutions)
Bracken	1–31.12.1971 Persian Gulf (evacuation protection)
Burlap	19.11–11.12.1970 East Pakistan (disaster relief)
Buzzard	7.2002 Afghanistan (operations against the Taliban)
Calash	2003 Gulf of Aden (maritime surveillance and security)
Calendar II	1.7.1988 Gulf of Oman (exercise Cimnel, mine clearance)
Care	27.9–8.10.1987 Bermuda (hurricane relief)
Caspar	23–27.10.1997 Firth of Forth (support to civil power)
Caxton	17–29.8.1997 Caribbean (disaster relief)
Celia	22.11.91–8.1992 Adriatic (Yugoslavian Civil War)
Cert	21–25.4.1986 Mediterranean (protection of Royal Yacht Britannia)
Chantress	6.4–21.8.1995 Angola (UN Stabilisation Force)
Cimnel	12.8–31.12.1987 (exercise Armilla Accomplice)
Citation	4.10.91–3.1992 West Indies (evacuation preparations)
Claret	1964–5 Indonesian Confrontation (pre-emptive cross-border raids)
Clay	2007 Afghanistan (operation against Taliban base)
Clover	17.4–12.1986 Gibraltar (defensive patrols)
Corporate	2.2–14.6.1982 Falkland Islands (recoveryoperation)
Cosmo	10–20.2.1986 Haiti (internal security/evacuation)
Culex	7–12.1979 Hong Kong (securitypatrols)
Cutter	5.5–10.12.1988 (prisonaccommodation during industrial action)
Decisive Enhancement	12–30.10.1996 Adriatic (patrols off Croatia)
Deliberate Guard	8–10.12.1997 Adriatic (support of SFOR/former Yugoslavia)
Deny Flight	1995 Adriatic (air operations against Bosnian Serbs)
Determinant	20.3–29.5.1997 Zaire (security/evacuation operations)
Determined Force	1998 Adriatic (support of NATO SFOR)
Determined Guard	1997 Adriatic (support of UN Stabilisation Force)
Diligent Force	1996 Adriatic (maritime support for Implementation Force)
Driver	9.10–15.11.1994 Persian Gulf (deter threat to Kuwait)
Eldorado	1.6–18.7.1990 Liberia (security/evacuation operation)
Enduring Freedom	2002 worldwide (US-led war on international terrorism)
Eschew	22.1–30.6.1986 Turks and Caicos (civil unrest)
Estimate	11.10.1967–25.6.1968 Aden (protection of evacuation)
Estimate II	27–31.3.1969 Lagos (UK-Rhodesia-UDI talks)
Faldage	10–11.3.1975 Cambodia (evacuation operation)
Farinha	6.1997 UK waters (counter-drugs operations)
Fate	25–30.10.1966 East Aden (cordon and search against rebels)
Fortitude	7.1958 eastern Mediterranean (support to Jordan)
Fresco	13–26.7.2001 UK (cover during strike by firemen)
Fuzecap	18.5.1972 and 15.4–14.5.1973 (search for explosives in QEII)
Garrick	21.5–20.7.1998 Indonesia (evacuation preparations)
Garron	2004 south-east Asia (Tsunami emergency relief work)
Glacier	3.2007 Afghanistan (operation against Taliban HQ)
Glasscutter	27–31.7.1972 Northern Ireland (securityoperations)
Goblet	13–16.12.1985 Leeds (provision of water supplies)
Granby	9.8.1990–11.4.1991 Persian Gulf (liberation of Kuwait)
Grapple	10–12.1992 Adriatic (support to UN Protection Forces)
Grenada	20.1.1972–1985 Northern Ireland (securityoperations)
Grey Heron	9.2007 UK (amphibious security exercise in the Solent)
Hamden	1993 Adriatic (support of UN Protection Force)
Harlech	9–31.8.1995 West Indies (standbyvolcano relief)
Harling	15.8–14.10.1984 Gulf of Suez (mine clearance)
Haven	20.4–15.7.1991 Turkeyand Iraq (assistance to Kurdish refugees)
Helvin	14–17.3.1997 Adriatic (Albanian evacuation)
Hermicarp I and II	3.2–21.3.1977 and 16.8–13.10.1977 Pacific (explosive clearance)
Herrick	2003 Afghanistan (security operations against the Taliban)
Highbrow	7.2006 Lebanon (evacuation during civil war)
Holystone	Cold War (covert submarine intelligence-gathering missions)
Hound	10.1988 and 11.1990 UK waters (assistance to customs operations)
Interknit	11.1972 Northern Ireland (security in Carlingford Lough)
Jacana	2002 Afghanistan (operations against the Taliban)
James	2003 Iraq (Royal Marine advance on Basra)
Joint Endeavour	1996 Adriatic (maritime support for Implementation Force)
Journeyman	25.11–19.12.1977 South Atlantic (deterrent operation)
Jubilee	9.6.1986 Jamaica (flood relief operations)
Jural	1997 Persian Gulf (UN ‘no fly’ zone over Iraq)
Keyhole	19–20.6.1982 Antarctic (recapture of South Thule)
Ketone	5–8.10.1987 West Glamorgan (Fire Service industrial action)
Kingfisher	14–30.10.1997 West Africa (protected evacuation preparations)
Kingower	24.3–20.5.1999 Adriatic (UN security operations)
Kingpin	28.1.1987 Gibraltar (exercise Clover security patrols)
Langar	1.9–3.10.1999 Indonesia (restore peace and security in East Timor)
Lecturer	1.1992–11.1993 Cambodia (security operations)
Lesser	14–22.6.1982 Lebanon (evacuation from Jounich)
Lifespan	1997–2006 Northern Ireland (counter-terrorist operations)
Lodestar	1998 Adriatic (support of NATO SFOR/former Yugoslavia)
Lodestone	8–10.12.1997Adriatic(support of SFOR/former Yugoslavia)
Magellan	13–28.10.1998 Adriatic (demonstration of NATO resolve)
Magister	12.10–29.11.1967(Adenevacuation)
Mainsail	31.10–3.11.1998 West Indies (hurricane disaster relief)
Manna	8.5–3.6.1991 Bangladesh (disaster relief)
Maritime Guard	1997 Adriatic (monitoring UN embargo)
Maritime Monitor	6–12.1992 Adriatic (monitoring UN embargo)
Maturin	10.2005 Pakistan (disaster relief work in lower Himalayas)
Motorman	31.7.1972 Northern Ireland (internal security)
Nutcracker	1.1964 Aden (Radfan operation in the Yemen)
Offcut	18.11.1983–31.3.1984 Lebanon (peace-keeping)
Okehampton	1.11.1984–21.2.1985 South Georgia (salvage operation)
Oracle	2002 Gulf (maritime security operations, UK contribution to US-led international war on terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom)
Orderly	7.11.1989–31.3.1990 UK (ambulance assistance)
Palatine	1998 Adriatic (with NATO SFOR in the former Yugoslavia)
Palliser	5.2000 Sierra Leone (securityoperations)
Peninsula	4–6.2001 UK (controlling foot and mouth disease)
Proximity	6.11.1986 SWApproaches (anti-smuggling operation)
Radcot	10–14.10.1988 English Channel (seaward defence patrols)
Resilient	11.2–20.3.1998 West Africa (humanitarian aid in Sierra Leone)
Rheostat I	7.4–31.10.1974 Suez Canal (mine clearance)
Rheostat II	4.4–1.6.1975 Suez Canal (mine clearance)
Sealion	19.5.1997 Northern Ireland (combines Grenada and Interknit)
Sharp Edge	1.6–18.7.1990 (Liberian Civil War – evacuation)
Sharp Fence	1992 Adriatic (monitoring UN sanctions)
Sharp Guard	6.1993 Adriatic (enforcing blockade)
Sharp Vigilance	6–12.1992 Adriatic (monitoring UN sanctions)
Sheepskin	14.3–5.5.1969 Anguilla (restoration of sovereignty)
Shoveller	16.6.1976-Northern Ireland (river security)
Sibling	4–9.10.1987 Irish Sea (seaward defence patrols)
Silkman	11.2000 Sierra Leone (security operations)
Sinbad	2003 Iraq (liberation of Basra)
Slate	2005 Afghanistan (operation against Taliban units)
Snipe	5.2002 Afghanistan (mountain operations against the Taliban)
Snowdon	23.9–9.12.1993 West Indies (maritime interdiction)
Southern Watch	1.1–17.4.1998 Gulf (enforcement of ‘no fly’ zone, Iraq)
Spartan	17–30.9.1994 West Indies (UN maritime interdiction)
Stella	29.3–26.4.1975 Vietnam (evacuation of refugees)
Swanston	15–28.9.1998 Adriatic (evacuation from Albania)
Tellar	6–15.11.1998 West Indies (hurricane disaster relief)
Telic	2003 Iraq (Second Gulf War)
Tiller	2–10.6.1997 West Africa(securityin Sierra Leone)
Titan	14.6–19.8.1980 New Hebrides (restore order over independence)
Triad	1.2–3.3.1995 Mogadishu (protection of withdrawal)
Troy	2.2007 Iraq (Basra security operation)
Vantage	30.6–16.8.1961 Kuwait (reinforcement against Iraq)
Vasco	23.9–3.10.1985 Mexico (disaster relief)
Vela	2006 West Africa (security and stability in Sierra Leone)
Veritas	2002 Afghanistan (operations against the Taliban)
Victor Search	20–31.8.1959 Irish Sea (search for RAF Victor II)
Volcano	2007 Afghanistan (operation against Taliban base)
Warden	15.7–1.10.1991 Turkey (exercise Haven – Kurdish refugees)
Whippet	9.1958 Arctic waters (Cod War operations)
Yammer	5.3–5.8.1985 Turks and Caicos (security operation)
Zealous	10–12.1972 East Africa (security operation)
Zina	2005 Afghanistan (operation against Taliban units)

MAIN NAVAL TASK GROUP DEPLOYMENTS 1973–2008

Royal Navy Task Groups (TGs)

In 1974 the MoD announced the group deployment (GD) policy as follows:

The Royal Navy is now meeting its commitments east of the Cape of Good Hope, in a different way. Gone is the traditional method of operating single ships over a wide area, and in its place is the Task Force idea. This system provides a much more economical and flexible method of operating in distant waters, and also allows the Navy to work with groups of ships from other navies.

An example of greater efficiency is the much higher level of training, which can be achieved during a nine-month deployment. Since they are in almost constant company, the ships can exercise with one another, taking turns to act the hunter or the hunted, the tracker or the target, in realistic simulations of battle conditions. Sailors are kept constantly at peak efficiency, and do not need the re-training that might otherwise be necessary after long solo voyages.

As an additional advantage, the group concept offers the public of many nations improved opportunities of meeting a greater number of the men and a wider variety of the ships that make up today’s Royal Navy.

(MoD, O/N 4301875, September 1974)

* – Flagship

1971–2	GD concept formulated (VCNS, Admiral Lewin)
1973	TG 317.1, 1st GD (R Ad Clayton FOF2 in HMS Tiger*) to the Pacific
1974	TG 317.1 (R Ad Clayton FOF2 in HMS Fife) to Australia and the Far East
1974	TG 317.2, 2nd GD (R Ad Leach FOF1 in HMS Blake) to the Far East
1975	TG 317.3, 3rd GD (R Ad Fieldhouse FOF2 in HMS Glamorgan) to the Pacific
1976	TG 317.4, (R Ad Morton FOF1 in HMS Antrim) to the Middle East
1977	TG 317.5, (R Ad Wemyss FOF2 in HMS Tiger) to the North and South Atlantic
1978	TG 317.6, (R Ad Wemyss FOF2 in HMS Tiger) to the Far East
1978	TG 317.7, (r Ad Squires FOF1 in HMS Blake) to the Pacific
1979	TG 317.8, (R Ad Stanford FOF2 in HMS Norfolk) to the Far East
1980	TG318.0, (r Ad Jenkins FOF1 in HMS Antrim) (TG317.9 cancelled)
1981	(No group deployment, to save fuel)
1982	(Falklands War TF 317)
1983	TG 318.3, Orient Express (R Ad Gerken FOF2 in HMS Invincible) to the Far East
1984	TG 323.4, Orient Express contd (R Ad Black FOF2 in HMS Illustrious)
1986	TG 318.4, Global 86 (R Ad Hogg FOF1 in HMS Beaver initially, then HMS Illustrious) to South America, Australia and the Far East
1988	TG 318.1, Outback 88 (R Ad Woodhead FOF2 in HMS Ark Royal) to the Far East
1989	(End of the Cold War: no group deployment)
1990	TG 316.1, Endeavour 90 (Capt Franklyn in HMS Bristol (DTS)) around the world
1990	TG 318.5 (R Ad Hill-Norton FOF3 in HMS Ark Royal) to the USA and Canada for Westlant 90 and Marcot 90
1991	(First Gulf War: no group deployment)
1992	TG 318.1, Orient 92 (R Ad Brigstocke COMUKTG in HMS Invincible) to the Far East
1993	TG 612.02 (R Ad Brigstocke COMUKTG in HMS Ark Royal) to the Adriatic for Operation Grapple (later relieved by R Ad Gretton COMUKTG in HMS Invincible)
1994	TG 612.02, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible in turns to the Adriatic for Operation Grapple
1995	TG 612.02, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible in turns to the Adriatic for Operation Grapple; Australasia 95 deployment scaled down to small NTG frigates and RFA vessels to the Far East
1995–6	TG 612.02 (R Ad Franklyn COMUKTG in HMS Illustrious) to the Adriatic
1996	TG 331.01 (R Ad West COMUKTG in HMS Illustrious) to the USA
1997	TG 327.01, Ocean Wave 97 (R Ad West COMUKTG in HMS Illustrious) to the Far East
1998	TG 347.01 (R Ad Forbes COMUKTG in HMS Invincible) to the Gulf for Operations Jural and Bolton
1999	TG 347.01 (Capt Burnell-Nugent in HMS Invincible) to the Gulf for Operation Bolton II and to the Adriatic for Operation Magellan
1999	Argonaut 99 (Cdre Kilgour COMATG in HMS Ocean) to the Mediterranean
2000	TG 2000, Eastern Adventure/Maritime Endeavour (R Ad Meyer COMUKTG in HMS Cornwall): circumnavigation of the globe
2000	Aurora 2000 ATG to Sierra Leone for Operation Palliser
2001	TG 342.01, Argonaut 01 (R Ad Burnell-Nugent COMUKMARFOR in HMS Illustrious), with HMS Fearless and HMS Ocean to the Middle East
2003	(NTG 03: Operation Telic – Second Gulf War: no group deployment)
2004	Aurora 04: HMS Invincible, HMS Ocean and HMS Albion across the North Atlantic for Rapid Alliance
2005	Marstrike 05 (R Ad Style COMUKMARFOR in HMS Invincible) to the Middle East
2006	Aquila 06 (R Ad Morisetti COMUKMARFOR in HMS Illustrious) to the Middle East
2007	Orion 07 MCMV Group (Cdr Davies MCM1 in RFA Cardigan Bay) to the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the South Atlantic
2008	Orion 08 (Cdre Cunningham in HMS Illustrious) to the Middle East

BASIC ROYAL NAVY TASK FORCE ORGANISATION

The following demonstrates the pyramid structure of an illustrative Royal Navy Task Force (TF 314) formed as a naval component of national force. It shows the breakdown of the different echelons or levels of the organisation formed for specific tasks and the way they are numbered.

The various components are made up of the necessary assets for the specific task allocated to them.

1. The Task Force ‘314’:	(TF 314)
2. Task Groups:	(TG 314.1) (TG 314.2)
(‘314.1’ et seq)
3. Task Units:	(TU 314.1.1) (TU 314.1.2), (TU 314.2.1) (TU 314.2.2)
(‘314.1.1’ et seq)
4. Task Elements:	(TE 314.1.1.1) (TE 314.1.2.1) (TE 314.2.1.1) (TU 314.2.2.1)
(‘314.1.1.1’ et seq)
	(TE 314.1.1.2) (TE 314.1.2.2) (TE 314.2.1.2) (TU 314.2.2.2)
	(TE 314.1.1.3) (TE 314.1.2.3) (TE 314.2.1.3) (TU314.2.2.3)

Source: Based on structures set out by the Naval Staff in British Maritime Doctrine, BR 1806, third edition 2004.