HMS Prince of Wales has carried out a complex double replenishment at sea (RAS) in the Philippine Sea, taking on fuel, ammunition, and supplies while maintaining continuous flying operations, according to a press release.
The UK’s flagship aircraft carrier is leading the Carrier Strike Group towards Japan as part of Operation Highmast, a seven-month Indo-Pacific deployment involving regional allies and partners. The replenishment marked the first time since leaving the UK in April that the carrier has received solid stores, including food, engineering parts, equipment, and munitions, at sea.
The operation saw Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidespring supply fuel on the port side while the US Navy’s USNS Wally Schirra transferred ammunition and provisions on the starboard side. It was also the first time a US Navy T-AKE replenishment vessel has conducted a RAS with a Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class carrier.
Commander Mathew Gee, Group Logistics Commander for the UK Carrier Strike Group, said in the release: “Sustaining any ship at sea is critical in maintaining operational tempo, reach, and readiness without relying on port infrastructure. For HMS Prince of Wales to conduct a simultaneous replenishment, with both UK and USA support ships, highlights the operational flexibility of the Queen Elizabeth-class and strength of our alliances.”
Lieutenant Commander Thomas Parsons, the carrier’s Navigator, added: “This was the first time a Queen Elizabeth-class has transferred ammunition and stores from a USNS vessel, concurrently replenishing fuel from a UK tanker, all while launching F-35Bs and launching and recovering rotary wing aircraft. It was an extremely demanding and challenging serial from a navigational perspective… It shows the professionalism and flexibility of our workforce across all branches and the enormous capability of our aircraft carrier.”
The Carrier Strike Group’s deployment has so far taken it through the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indian Ocean, with visits to Singapore and Australia.
