Ark Royal returns as flagship of the Royal Navy
HMS Ark Royal will return as the navy's fleet flagship and strike aircraft carrier on Monday after finishing months of trials.
The Portsmouth-based warship will take over from her sister ship HMS Illustrious after tests on her weapons and communications systems after a seven-month refit.
The ship was also put through its paces during six weeks of basic operational sea training off the south west coast.
HMS Ark Royal will become the nation's 'strike' carrier, operating Harrier aircraft from Naval Strike Wing.
Captain John Clink, Ark Royal's commanding officer, said: 'It gives everyone in Ark Royal great pride to be assuming the mantle of flagship and our duties as the nation's strike aircraft carrier.'
Ark Royal had been hit by three fire scares in her engine rooms during her testing period away from Portsmouth, including one just hours after she left from refit.
After Easter she will head for Joint Warrior, a multinational training exercise to be held off northern Scotland.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
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