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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Lockheed Martin strengthens Spanish SPY-7 radar supply chain
The global defence giant chose a Spanish firm for its work on the Bonifaz-class frigate.
-
Oostende mine countermeasures vessel begins sea trials
The first vessel in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM mine-clearing fleet, the Oostende, has begun its sea trials before officially entering service in 2025.
-
US Navy places $312 million contract with Textron Systems for landing craft
Textron’s latest order for Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) follows on from a contract placed in August 2023 for five LCAC.
-
Japan to boost surface fleet with new destroyers and missile ships
Japan is enhancing its naval capabilities with the construction of the 13DDX advanced destroyer and Aegis System Equipped Vessels (AESV), aiming to strengthen its air and missile defence amid increasing security threats, particularly in East Asia.