Revamped HMS Ark Royal to join American exercise
The navy's fleet flagship will leave Portsmouth on Monday to lead an exercise in the north and west Atlantic.
The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal will head an international group of ships for Auriga 2010 - a string of exercises between May and August.
Joining Ark Royal are the Plymouth-based frigate HMS Sutherland, Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Fort George, French submarine FS Perle and American destroyer USS Barry.
The Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Liverpool will leave on Monday, May 10 to join the group.
Auriga is being held for the different navies to show they can work as a task group for an extended period.
Ark Royal is taking part in her first major deployment since she came out of a six-month refit last year, which saw her upgraded to keep her running until the navy's new aircraft carriers are delivered.
Ark will be among the ships taking part in a series of goodwill port visits.
During their time away the vessels will be supported by an amphibious force made up of Devonport-based HMS Ocean and RFA Largs Bay, which has spent the last two months delivering aid to earthquake-hit communities in the Caribbean island of Haiti.
Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade, who led the 2009 Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, will also feature.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 23 February 2012
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