RFA Tidesurge replenishes US Navy destroyer

Royal Navy tanker RFA Tidesurge has replenished a US Navy Arleigh Burke class destroyer in a first for the Tide class fleet.

The replenishment of the guided missile destroyer, USS Donald Cook, took place in the mid-Atlantic following the completion of Exercise Joint Warrior 19-2.

Tidesurge is currently deployed as part of the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group off the Eastern Seaboard of the US. During Exercise Joint Warrior 19-2 the vessel carried out anti-submarine and anti-surface training missions, before switching to operational tasking to support USS Donald Cook.

Flight Commander Lieutenant Tom Wallis said: ‘It is great to be able to show the flexibility of the Tide-class with an embarked Merlin Mk2, and the significant operational capability that this combination provides.

‘This is only possible through the dedication of the crew of RFA Tidesurge, 814 NAS, 1700 NAS and the Fleet Hydrographic and Meteorology Unit, and our ability to exercise and operate efficiently and at very high readiness.’

In addition to its supply duties in support of the Royal Navy, the Tide class also undertakes a wide range of maritime operations, such as constabulary patrols policing shipping lanes, humanitarian relief, as well as providing support to NATO and coalition allies.