Article Posted on : - Jun 24, 2010

The Auriga deployment is a joint maritime operational exercise lasting four months involving the UK, US and French navies. Photo: LA(Phot) Gregg Macready, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010.

WASHINGTON (BNS): The Royal Navy of UK has deployed its amphibious flagship HMS Albion and the amphibious Task Group to participate in the Auriga joint exercises with the US Marine Corps and Navy.

The Auriga deployment is a joint maritime operational exercise lasting four months involving the UK, US and French navies.

The exercise aims to enhance the operational capability of the participating teams in carrier strike, amphibious assault and anti-submarine warfare operations.

The focus of attention for Plymouth-based Commander Amphibious Task Group and Stonehouse Barracks staff from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will be a series of exercises in the challenging terrain of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, according to a news report by the UK MoD.

"I am delighted to be leading some of the UK's most capable warships in this important exercise where we will refresh our working practices with US amphibious forces," Commodore Paul Bennett, Commander Amphibious Task Group, was quoted as saying in the report.

The amphibious task group, which also includes Royal Fleet Auxiliary logistics landing ship Largs Bay, will be joined by an impressive force of US warships including the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit - over 8,000 US Navy personnel and marines.

The US and UK force will conduct familiarisation training before tackling a scenario loosely based on tackling an aggressor nation threatening regional stability in a fictional part of the globe but centred on the excellent training facilities offered in Camp Lejeune.