ORAC
15th Jan 2003, 16:42
BBC:
By Kim Barnes
BBC correspondent on board HMS Ocean
Food, rifles, photocopiers, an ironing board and boxes and boxes of equipment - they all made their way onto HMS Ocean at Devonport on Wednesday. Troops embarking do not know how long they will be away and are not 100% sure of where they might end up.
The ship was earmarked for exercises off the coast of Scotland, but following last week's announcement by the defence secretary she will head for the Mediterranean.
The ship is part of a flotilla of 16 vessels ready for action in the event of war against Iraq. The Ark Royal left Portsmouth at the weekend and HMS Ocean will leave from Devonport on Thursday morning.
The Ocean - the biggest ship in the Navy - has been beefed up for the trip. Two naval air squadrons from Somerset will be on board with their Sea King, Lynx and Gazelle helicopters. They will provide the vital amphibious assault role that is the extra element now that the Ocean has to be ready for action.
As usual in this situation troop commanders insist they are trained, willing and able. 40 Commando Royal Marines has just spent two months in training both at altitude and in arid conditions. Clearly the Californian desert was playing the part of the Iraqi terrain. Their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Messenger, described their mood as "workman-like". He said his unit was not overexcited, but prepared for the role they might play.
The official line is that this is "prudent military planning" - part of the contingency operation awaiting a political green light
Ordinary troops who walked up the ramp with their bulging rucksacks say they have been told to pack for at least six months.
The Ocean's Captain, Adrian Johns, said the mood on board was positive and upbeat, though he qualified by adding that there was sombre reflection about how events might unfold. He added: "People just want to get on with the job in hand."
Just what that job may yet involve is a decision that remains in the hands of Tony Blair.
By Kim Barnes
BBC correspondent on board HMS Ocean
Food, rifles, photocopiers, an ironing board and boxes and boxes of equipment - they all made their way onto HMS Ocean at Devonport on Wednesday. Troops embarking do not know how long they will be away and are not 100% sure of where they might end up.
The ship was earmarked for exercises off the coast of Scotland, but following last week's announcement by the defence secretary she will head for the Mediterranean.
The ship is part of a flotilla of 16 vessels ready for action in the event of war against Iraq. The Ark Royal left Portsmouth at the weekend and HMS Ocean will leave from Devonport on Thursday morning.
The Ocean - the biggest ship in the Navy - has been beefed up for the trip. Two naval air squadrons from Somerset will be on board with their Sea King, Lynx and Gazelle helicopters. They will provide the vital amphibious assault role that is the extra element now that the Ocean has to be ready for action.
As usual in this situation troop commanders insist they are trained, willing and able. 40 Commando Royal Marines has just spent two months in training both at altitude and in arid conditions. Clearly the Californian desert was playing the part of the Iraqi terrain. Their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Messenger, described their mood as "workman-like". He said his unit was not overexcited, but prepared for the role they might play.
The official line is that this is "prudent military planning" - part of the contingency operation awaiting a political green light
Ordinary troops who walked up the ramp with their bulging rucksacks say they have been told to pack for at least six months.
The Ocean's Captain, Adrian Johns, said the mood on board was positive and upbeat, though he qualified by adding that there was sombre reflection about how events might unfold. He added: "People just want to get on with the job in hand."
Just what that job may yet involve is a decision that remains in the hands of Tony Blair.