- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
We bought the subs...wonder if they will take them back on trade?
Next purchase??
Think this would have a positive affect on enlistment?
By CORINNE ABRAMS
Sun Online
ROYAL Navy aircraft carrier HMS Invincible today docked for the last time before it is to be decommissioned.
Dignitaries and 250 family members of the ship's company watched as the vessel, one of three Royal Navy carriers, arrived at Portsmouth Naval base.
News of the 22,000 tonne warship's retirement prompted concerns that the senior service would be over-streched.
A collection of Sea Harriers, Sea King helicopters, the Lynx Pairs Display Team and RAF Chinook helicopter took part in a flypast as Invincible entered the Hampshire harbour.
Captain Neil Morisetti, Invincible's commanding officer, said: "These events provide an excellent opportunity for HMS Invincible to celebrate not only her 25 years of service but also the hard work and dedication shown by members of the ship's company past and present, and the continued support given by their families throughout her long and distinguished career."
Invincible is being taken out of service six months early, a move critics
suggest is a cost-cutting operation to fund the on-going Iraq war.
This leaves the Navy with HMS Illustrious as its only aircraft carrier in
operational service while Ark Royal undergoes a major refit due to be completed at the end of next year.
The navy intends to replace its aircraft carriers in 2012 with a new
generation of warships.
Following the de-commissioning, Invincible will be handed over to the MoD's Disposal and Reserve Ships Organisation which will mothball it until it is sold in 2010.
Invincible was launched by the Queen in 1977 and, during its deployment in the Falklands war, the Duke of York was based on board as a Sea King helicopter pilot.
It underwent a £64million refit in 2001 and acted as the Royal Navy's flagship in June's International Fleet Review
Next purchase??
Think this would have a positive affect on enlistment?
By CORINNE ABRAMS
Sun Online
ROYAL Navy aircraft carrier HMS Invincible today docked for the last time before it is to be decommissioned.
Dignitaries and 250 family members of the ship's company watched as the vessel, one of three Royal Navy carriers, arrived at Portsmouth Naval base.
News of the 22,000 tonne warship's retirement prompted concerns that the senior service would be over-streched.
A collection of Sea Harriers, Sea King helicopters, the Lynx Pairs Display Team and RAF Chinook helicopter took part in a flypast as Invincible entered the Hampshire harbour.
Captain Neil Morisetti, Invincible's commanding officer, said: "These events provide an excellent opportunity for HMS Invincible to celebrate not only her 25 years of service but also the hard work and dedication shown by members of the ship's company past and present, and the continued support given by their families throughout her long and distinguished career."
Invincible is being taken out of service six months early, a move critics
suggest is a cost-cutting operation to fund the on-going Iraq war.
This leaves the Navy with HMS Illustrious as its only aircraft carrier in
operational service while Ark Royal undergoes a major refit due to be completed at the end of next year.
The navy intends to replace its aircraft carriers in 2012 with a new
generation of warships.
Following the de-commissioning, Invincible will be handed over to the MoD's Disposal and Reserve Ships Organisation which will mothball it until it is sold in 2010.
Invincible was launched by the Queen in 1977 and, during its deployment in the Falklands war, the Duke of York was based on board as a Sea King helicopter pilot.
It underwent a £64million refit in 2001 and acted as the Royal Navy's flagship in June's International Fleet Review