RFA CARDIGAN BAY

OPERATION TELIC 2008 - 2010

RFA Cardigan Bay has been deployed in the Northern Arabian Gulf (NAG) since January 2008.  Throughout her time on station, the ship has provided stability in presence, capability and professionalism in supporting all aspects of Operation Telic. Within this challenging environment the ship is now viewed as the ideal platform from which multi-national efforts to ensure harmonious relations and the peaceful transition of the defence of Iraqi waters are conducted.

The primary role, as inherited from RFA Sir Bedivere, ‘the final knight’, was to support the Naval Training and Transition team (NATT) in training Iraqi Naval personnel and Iraqi Marines (IQN/IQM) in the defence of oil, the exporting infrastructure and surrounding territorial water space.  As experience was gained in this role, additional training courses for Iraqi personnel were formulated following consultation with ships staff.  Latterly members of the crew have taken on the direct training of IQN/IQM in Fire Fighting, Damage Control and First Aid in addition to their normal duties. Equally the ship has taken on the role of the in-theatre primary casualty reception and triage unit. To date medical emergencies from American and Iraqi platforms have regularly been recovered, assessed, stabilised, and evacuated to medical facilities ashore.

RFA Cardigan Bay has continuously been exploring and exploiting opportunities which further bond and integrate a variety of nations.  Latterly it is common to witness up to 50 additional embarked personnel all working to the common aim of advancing the Iraqi capability within their water space and to prepare them for manning their new ships. To achieve this, the ships company maintain a flexible and committed approach to the demands of culture and cuisine of several nations.

Daily, the ship logistically supports all units in theatre.  She is the hub for stores, mail and personnel movements and is regularly praised for its flexible hospitality in accommodating all transit personnel into and out of theatre via a thrice weekly USN helicopter delivery service. Living up to her tag as the ‘NAG Hilton’, most transiting personnel who are aware of their destinations tend to find a reason to remain on Cardigan Bay for at least a night to enjoy the sheer pleasure of good company, a decent meal, plentiful water and a comfortable bed. The ship regularly hosts senior visitors providing a conference platform from which an overview of the theatre operations can be gained.

Over the two year period, the ship has hosted a series of high level diplomatic meetings, which ultimately led to a working arrangement for the longstanding disagreement between Kuwait and Iraq over disputed riverine waters. To facilitate training operations the ship plays host to a variety of international assets. Initially the Fast Attack Craft of the Iraqi Navy provided the medium for the Navy and Marines to conduct their Board and Search training (VBSS). Whilst these boarding operations were taking place, Cardigan Bay acted as the 'Close In support vessel' should anything untoward take place. As time moved on, the requirement for VBSS operations was superseded by the need to take on the defence of the sectors of oil platforms. To undertake this role, modern Defender craft were acquired, which in themselves raised a large training requirement for competence in both operability and strategic defence.

In support of both defence of the Oil Platforms and Iraqi strategic defence training, the ship has elements of the US Maritime Expeditionary Forces with their very capable and well defended Cougar boats embarked. These personnel and their boats remain with the ship throughout the period on station. Weather permitting; Cardigan Bay remains docked down for periods of a month at a time providing a safe haven for up to 6 resident boats and many other visiting assets.

During the early part of 2009, training emphasis turned to preparing the Iraqi crews for delivery of their new Patrol Craft from Italy. Basic teaching in all maritime disciplines was undertaken, regularly running in tandem with practical courses in English language and Senior Officer acquaint courses. Whilst these could be undertaken ashore in the Iraqi Naval Base, the advantage of utilising Cardigan Bay was the net effect gained by being in an English speaking maritime environment.

Finally, the ship facilitates regular day and night aviation training serials, which are undertaken by American aircraft in theatre to maintain the currency of both the ship and aircrews.  

In summary, RFA Cardigan Bay continues to enjoy a reputation as the backbone of the Operation Telic theatre. Her flexibility is widely recognised and respected as the conduit for training, uniting and supporting multinational forces.