The Last Commission:

Atlantic Fleet Weapon Ranges

20 April  to 8 May 1978

On departing Roosevelt Roads, the first days spent to the south of Puerto Rico to recover the fixed wing aircraft which had been ashore during our brief visit. There was also opportunity for the other aircrew to get in some flying time and for other departments to carry out evolutions, checks, repairs or maintenance.

On the night of the 21^st/22^nd April the ship passed through the Virgin Passage – the sea area between the Isle of Culebra and St Thomas – to take up station in the exercise areas to the north of the islands. Here we made full use of the American Atlantic Fleet Weapon Ranges (AFWR) in the area. One of the primary reasons for being in this part of the world was to use the Range facilities and enable the aircrew to practice using live heavy weapons and missiles. Each Squadron did its own thing during this period with the help of many of the ship’s departments.

892 Squadron completed its series of missile firings using the Sparrow and Sidewinder air to air missiles against pilotless target aircraft or lepus flares. So that as many as possible could witness the skill of the Squadron, several Sidewinders were fired close in at lepus flares, resulting in spectacular firework displays. 809 Squadron concentrated its efforts on the Island of Vieques. At the eastern end of the island is the controlled bombing range and the Squadron left its mark with 1000 lb bombs, 2” rocket projectiles, lepus flares and various other pieces of hardware. Meanwhile 849B continued their training by working closely with PRANG – the Puerto Rican Air National Guard. The PRANG aircraft were frequent visitors in the ship’s airspace under the control of the Gannets. Not to be outdone, 824 Squadron carried out its own anti-submarine weapon training programme. This was done at one of the most sophisticated underwater tracking ranges in the world just off the island of St Croix. It also conducted a weapons programme to the SW of Roosevelt Roads.

To support all this activity by the Squadrons, the Weapon Supply party, Air Ordnance Teams and the Guided Weapons Section were kept very busy and extra people were required to ensure that weapons were ready when required. Interwoven with the weapons programme were two Quality Assurance Air Tests (QAATs). The purpose was to monitor the 1000 lb bombings by 809 and the Sidewinder missile firings by 892, to see if improvements in weapon reliability and increased effectiveness could be achieved. In general the period off the AFWR was of great benefit to all who were involved in the various aspects of air weapons.

Meanwhile some of the aircrew were taking part in a beach survival exercise on another part of Vieques, under the supervision of the Army in the guise of the Carrier Borne Ground Liaison Section (CBGL). Parties went ashore for periods of up to forty-eight hours and practiced basha (shelter) building, and water and food collection. Although some tended to cheat by taking provisions with them, others took it more seriously and endeavoured by various means at their disposal to survive on coconuts, fish and water from solar stills.

While all this was taking place, the ship was very active preparing herself for the visit of FOCAS, Rear Admiral Staveley. The ship was painted, cleaned and generally smartened up by all departments and a lot of effort was put in by the ship’s company.

FOCAS arrived during the afternoon of Saturday 29^th April, before all the paint had time to dry. Admiral’s Divisions took place on the Flight Deck during the forenoon of Sunday 30^th while the ship steamed within sight of the north Puerto Rican coast. Those that attended looked very smart in their best white uniforms and FOCAS was very pleased with the bearing and appearance of ARK ROYALS at Division.

To complete the more serious aspect of his visit, FOCAS’ Rounds took place on Monday 1^st May and he was most impressed by the consistently high standard that was achieved both on and off the rounds route, and remarked that it could only have been achieved by much hard work over and above the effort required to meet the AFWR tasks. “Don’t we know it,” came the reply and at least our Admiral was satisfied and recognised the fact.

For the remainder of his stay Admiral Staveley tried to meet as many of us as possible. He flew in all the first types of aircraft on board, drove the flight deck tractors, toured many departments of the ship and generally enjoyed himself. He also tool the opportunity to visit other ships in company. By the time he left us on Monday 8^th May, there was very little that he had not seen or done in the ship.

As Ark usually provides the ships in company with something to look at, it made a change when HMS DEVONSHIRE provided us with a brief period of entertainment when she fired one of her Seaslug missiles on Monday 8^th May.

During the day the ship began to prepare for our next port of call to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. After a fairly hectic work up phase most of us were ready for a period of rest and relaxation, and our arrival off the town of Charlotte Amalie on Tuesday 9^th was greeted with sighs of relief. However as the ship was to be anchor throughout the visit, not as much leave as one would have liked was possible but most of us made the most of what time ashore we did get

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