USS George H W Bush Carrie in Solent next weekend.
USS George H W Bush Carrie in Solent next weekend.
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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
quotequote all
Should be arriving the 27th. The Aircraft Carrier is currently taking part in Excersise Saxon Warrior off the Western Approaches.

A couple of Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) C2 Greyhounds have been at Yeovilton over the last few days. and a couple of F-18s diverted into Lyneham the other night for fuel. Aparently it has been reported Lyneham are now refusing them use of the airfield.

The Carrier is working up for its deployment to Afghanistan, however it has been reported on Fighter Control not to be running as to plan as we haven't got enough tankers to support the excercise, and our runways are either being resurfaced, not open 24 hours or are now refusing the use of aircraft for diversions. It is rumoured US Navy pilots are getting rather p155ed off.

Link here:

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.ph...

Anyway the carrier should be in the Solent next weekend, boat trips are usually arranged from around Portsmouth so you can get within about 300 metres or so from the carrier. Well worth doing smile


ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

284 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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Sorry, we're a bit busy in areas of conflict!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
quotequote all
This has been months in the planning, you would have thought something would have been worked out beforehand in the event of diverts etc.

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

284 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Well, presumably everyone buggering off to Libya might have something to do with it.

thatone1967

4,246 posts

220 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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I cannot beleive this... the inlaws live in Southampton, but next weekend we are away!

furious

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
quotequote all
Apparently some F/A-18s have been up and about over Cornwall this afternoon/Evening.

FourWheelDrift

92,232 posts

313 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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I imagine its there for Obama's escape, if there is trouble here Marine One flies him to the nearest US carrier. Having one in the Solent would be very handy.

Simpo Two

92,646 posts

294 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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FourWheelDrift said:
I imagine its there for Obama's escape, if there is trouble here
Set upon by oddly-clad Guardian readers waving rolled up newspapers?

Skywalker

3,269 posts

243 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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FourWheelDrift said:
I imagine its there for Obama's escape, if there is trouble here Marine One flies him to the nearest US carrier. Having one in the Solent would be very handy.
The last time there was a CVN visit was for the G20 IIRC.
USS Theodore Rooseveldt according to the search engine. Clearly there as a contingency masquerading as a goodwill visit.

Simpo Two

92,646 posts

294 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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Skywalker said:
Clearly there as a contingency masquerading as a goodwill visit.
There you are - carriers projecting power smile

Seti

1,957 posts

233 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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Israeli Ambassador: Jim, you have an airborne battalion on standby in Germany that is not now needed for the NATO exercise.
James Hacker: How do you know?
Israeli Ambassador: I know. Now, if you were to send it to St George's Island, it would frighten off East Yemen. They'd never dare invade. Of course, it's not for the Israeli ambassador to advise the British Prime Minister.
James Hacker: And he wouldn't take your advice anyway.
[picks up phone]
James Hacker: Get me the Foreign Secretary and then the Defence Secretary, please.
[hangs up]
James Hacker: A wonder the Foreign Office didn't cover themselves. Maybe they did. They gave me several boxes tonight. I've been through them all except this one. I wonder if this could be it, "Northern Indian Ocean Situation Report". 138 pages, it must be it.
[phone rings]
James Hacker: Hello? Yes, Ronnie. I want the president of St George's Island to extend an invitation to Britain to send an airborne battalion on a goodwill visit. No, just a friendly gesture. Goodwill. Yes, at once, please. Thank you.
[hangs up]
James Hacker: He seemed to think that 800 fully armed paratroopers was an awful lot to send on a goodwill visit.
Israeli Ambassador: No, it's just an awful lot of goodwill.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
Apparently USS George H W Bush is overhere as part of Saxon Warrior, using the UK ranges and working up for its deployment to Afghanistan.

Rumour was initially it was planned for April, but was delayed until now.

Simpo Two

92,646 posts

294 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Funny but 'HMS John Major' doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it!

cpufreak

478 posts

237 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
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Simpo Two said:
Funny but 'HMS John Major' doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it!
HMS Maggie T does though smile

Simpo Two

92,646 posts

294 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
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Agreed, 'HMS Thatcher' would have Johhny Foreigner running for cover as soon as she rounded the headland.

Happy days...

Ordinary_Chap

7,520 posts

272 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
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Simpo Two said:
Agreed, 'HMS Thatcher' would have Johhny Foreigner running for cover as soon as she rounded the headland.

Happy days...
I've got to agree, not a conservative but loved her spirit and don't mess with us attitude.

Great name!