Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

HMS Queen Elizabeth conducts a Replenishment at Sea with RFA Tideforce using the double probe system for the first time.

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.@RFATideforce replenishes @HMSQNLZ while crossing the Atlantic.

The UKCSG due to arrive in Halifax later today

NavyLookout Retweeted
Cdre Steve Moorhouse
‏ @smrmoorhouse
1h1 hour ago

Hello Halifax @HMSQNLZ making her first visit of #Westlant19 thank you @RoyalCanNavy for your support

Hopefully we can soon look forward to QE R08 starting flying serials.


NavyLookout
‏ @NavyLookout
60m60 minutes ago

.@RFATideforce first of #Westlant19 ships to depart Halifax, harbour today

Via @RfaNostalgia / Clarence Hemeon

Brian James wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2019 2:00 am HMS Queen Elizabeth conducts a Replenishment at Sea with RFA Tideforce using the double probe system for the first time.

Another view.

Pelican wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:22 pm

Brian James wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2019 2:00 am HMS Queen Elizabeth conducts a Replenishment at Sea with RFA Tideforce using the double probe system for the first time.

Another view.

Wonder why the top probe/hose has a QE R08 funnel badge on it when viewed looking aft - and the ship's badge on it when viewed looking fwd

.... surely this is not a bespoke arrangement for this QEC carrier.

Q.E. WESTLANT19 - PHOTOS GALORE

https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/photo- ... 64sFy2ydhc

Little h wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 5:56 pm Hopefully we can soon look forward to QE R08 starting flying serials.


NavyLookout
‏ @NavyLookout
60m60 minutes ago

.@RFATideforce first of #Westlant19 ships to depart Halifax, harbour today

Via @RfaNostalgia / Clarence Hemeon

Note the following excerpt taken from link in David/Pelican's post:-

HMS Northumberland will join the UKCSG after completing her participation in ASW exercise Cutlass Fury. The group will head south to the Eastern seaboard of the United States to embark USMC F-35 jets for further trials. UK-owned jets are not expected on board until the second week of October. Another major diplomatic visit to Annapolis, Washington will take place in November.

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What's that all about with the UK-owned Jets???? I thought they were going over the Atlantic in the air to provide for more practice in Air to Air Refuelling !!! Have they even left the UK yet??

Harry, as I understand it the F35Bs are flying over but not to practice air refuelling but because they could not be flown on to QE over this side because their pilots have not been cleared yet to 'land on' etc. which is the point of both carrier and kites going over to 'pass their tests' and obtain their clearance to land on and take off from QE. There is a lot more to it than in the old days not least the cost of each a/c and cost of training each pilot. There will be a lot of chopper activity as well in order to obtain their operational clearance. No doubt all will be explained in the fullness of time. Not aware yet of their ETD but will advise when I do unless you beat me to it.

Thanks for the response David.

Having posted earlier in the thread about the subject - I knew about that which you included in your post ... but ... took from my excerpts in my earlier post (copied below and highlighted by me) that the UK-F35B's were going off to USA to await the arrival of QE R08 off the Eastern seaboard. You will note the reference to AAR - a reference to additional practice in this skill was made somewhere else (poss an RAF source) but can't remember where

Little h wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:03 pm

Little h wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:50 pm
Full #westlant19 briefing article to be published tomorrow morning.

Re; Full #westlant19 briefing article to be published tomorrow morning. - here's an excerpt or two:-

QE will be joined on the deployment by the destroyer HMS Dragon, the frigate HMS Northumberland and will be supported by tanker RFA Tideforce. 7 UK F-35B jets flown by RN and RAF pilots will fly on to the ship when she is on the eastern seaboard of the US. The jets and personnel will be drawn from the UK squadrons; the operational squadron (617 Sqn), the operational conversion unit (207 Sqn) and the test and evaluation squadron (17 Sqn based in California).

The UK-owned aircraft based at RAF Marham will not embark while the ship is in UK waters, instead, they will cross the Atlantic (using Air-Air Refuelling) for temporary basing on a US east coast airfield before joining QE, probably in the second week of October. The reason is that the landings will be these pilots’ first deck landings and ideal weather conditions are needed, with a diversionary airfield close by. Additionally, the jets only need to be embarked for the 5-week flight trials period, rather than the whole deployment. The British jets will be supplemented by up to 4 additional USMC F-35B aircraft. 9 rotary-wing aircraft, Merlin Mk2, Mk4, and Wildcat will be embarked on the carrier or her escorts. All UK military helicopters, except the ageing Puma, have now been certified for QEC carrier operations.

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Read full article by opening this link to Save The Royal Navy in article titled:-

August 30, 2019

HMS Queen Elizabeth sails for the US where she will embark UK-owned Jets for the first time