TAURUS 09

What is TAURUS 09?

TAURUS 09 is a routine deployment of the Royal Navy’s Amphibious Task Group, taking in the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. It aims to maintain the Royal Navy’s fighting capability as well as develop the UK’s capacity to operate with key partners and allies from NATO countries and other nations, enhancing interoperability and demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the stability and security of those areas. The Task Group will conduct a wide range of activities, including maritime security operations, and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare.

Who's taking part?

The Task Group sailed from the UK in February, comprising 12 ships, including a US Navy destroyer and a French Navy frigate, a nuclear powered submarine, Royal Marines from 40 Commando in Taunton, the Fleet Diving Unit, Assault Squadron Royal Marines from Plymouth, elements of 820 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons (NAS) from RNAS Culdrose, 847 NAS and Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea Kings based in Yeovil and Support Helicopter Force Chinooks from 18 Squadron, RAF Odiham. At its height, 3,300 personnel have taken part in the 20,400 mile round-trip, interacting, training and building relations with 17 nations.

Phase one of the deployment involved a series of successful amphibious and anti-submarine warfare training packages in the Mediterranean.

Phase Two saw the Task Group reduce in size to transit the Suez Canal and head for the Far East. Training exercises were undertaken on the way with the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India and Bangladesh, culminating in a multi-national amphibious exercise with the TAURUS maritime units inserting the Royal marines of  40 Commando into the riverine and primary jungles of Brunei for a unique training package.

The five remaining ships of the Task Group, flagship HMS Bulwark, HMS Ocean, HMS Somerset, RFA Wave Ruler and USS Mitscher are now returning to the UK,with the British units expecting to arrive back in Devonport next month.

What are amphibious operations?

As well as operating in ‘blue’ or deep water areas, much of what the Royal Navy does is projection of maritime power ashore  that is to say, operations in more shallow, inshore waters, inserting troops (Royal Marines) and fire power ashore from the sea. TAURUS 09 will enable us to practice this in many different environments.