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Forward Support Unit Engineers deploy to support Carrier Strike Group warships
9 October 2025
Engineers from Forward Support Units (FSU) Brunel (Portsmouth) and Campbell (Plymouth) performed critical work in Japan and South Korea respectively to support Carrier Strike Group warships during their mid-deployment maintenance periods.
This saw FSU engineers delivering essential engineering support to HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Richmond, ensuring operational readiness and enabling the ships to re-commence operations far from home waters.
Over a 19-day period, 35 engineers, supported by seven reservists, delivered a comprehensive maintenance package. Their efforts included scheduled maintenance on behalf of the ship’s companies and also more complex engineering tasking.
Additionally the teams worked closely with the engineers on board both ships to assist with emergent defect rectification, enabling the ship’s companies to focus on priority issues as well as take some well-earned respite, confident that their systems were in expert hands.
This deployment provided FSU engineers with the opportunity to showcase their engineering expertise and adaptability, reinforcing the Royal Navy’s commitment to providing support to the fleet, worldwide.
Lieutenant Commander Andy Hunt, Weapon Engineering Officer of HMS Richmond, added: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we received from FSU. The range of experience and knowledge they provide helped us resolve long-standing issues and restore some major capability for the remainder of CSG25. It also meant many of my department were able to take some well-deserved leave without any loss in output.”
Lieutenant Barry Moss, Officer in Charge of FSU Campbell, added: “This support period involved meticulous planning, addressing both the operational demands of the ships and the coordination of workforce and welfare arrangements for the deploying team.
“It stands as the most significant operational deployment of the FSU since its inception in 2021, underscoring our proven capability to deliver engineering support at extended reach.”