The Last Commission:

Jacksonville Seas

 14-23 June 1978

Soon after leaving the protection of Port Everglades we went straight into a RAS with RFA’s OLMEDA and LYNESS as the group tracked north back to the operating areas 70 miles off the coast near Jacksonville.

We all soon slipped back into the normal sea routine, but unfortunately after a two week break, not all the aircraft found it easy and no Gannets flew during the first days flying on Wednesday 14^th. To counter this disappointment, the flight deck recorded the 1000^th fixed wing aircraft recovery of 1978 and on the following day the 1000^th fixed wing launch of the year took place.

By the 15^th the first of many problems for the ME department came to a head, and the water crisis which was to be the topic of conversation during this period at sea began. The problem were due to the evaporators not working to their full capacity, and the need to conserve water was brought home when water rationing was introduced on several occasions. Despite strenuous efforts, the savings were not enough and water was RASed from any source as often as possible before the end of this session at sea. On Saturday 17^th we saw the RFA Fort GRANGE for the first time. She is the first of a new type of RFA and presently carrying our intensive trials. To assist with the flying trials, three Sea Kings were despatched for a few days to join the one already on board.

 Sunday 18^th proved to be a testing day for Ark when she was subjected to a Full Power Trial. The trial was successful and, despite her age, a fine 29 knots was achieved. During the afternoon the ship was back to her normal cruising speed and the energetic amongst us were out in force for flight deck sport competitions.

Monday 19^th June marked the beginning of ARK ROYAL’s fur day involvement in a Composite Training Exercise (COMPUTEX). The exercise under the direction of the American Navy consisted of serials of varying length in surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare. To most of us on board it was just like any normal flying period and it was difficult to appreciate that we were actually in an exercise.

Throughout the week, the water situation was critical and we took part in a 7 ½ hour RAS with RFA LYNESS during which over 400 tons of water were transferred.

By the afternoon of Thursday 22^nd all the fixed wing aircraft had disembarked to the American Naval Air Stations of Jacksonville and Cecil Fields so that they could continue flying training while the ship was alongside at Mayport Naval Base. During the late afternoon Rear Admiral Staveley embarked and flew his flags as FOCAS for the last time.

Before most of us had arisen on Friday 23^rd, yet another RAS was under way but this time it was a VERTREP of beer from RFA RESOURCE. This was the fifth successive day in which ARK ROYAL had taken part in a RAS of one form or another!! On completion of the RAS, the remaining helicopters departed as we headed towards the Naval Base at Mayport. Our entry in Procedure Alpha and with gun salutes from ourselves and from ashore assured the locals knew of our arrival for the start of a seven week Contractors Assisted Maintenance Period. Among the welcoming party were members of the Intracoastal expedition who had arrived at Mayport on the previous day.

The 52 members of the ship’s company who took part in the 310 mile expedition certainly enjoyed themselves and it is hard to believe all the stories that have been told about the Intracoastal. Overnight stops were made at Coastguard Stations or in civilian yacht marinas and, despite ants and mosquitoes, most people were able to sleep after a full day in the open. Places of interest which were visited included Peanut Island, Cape Canaveral, Daytona and St Augustine. Due to mechanical faults the maintainers were kept as busy as they are on board, ensuring that the five boats were serviceable for each days passage. It was agreed by all that it had certainly been a memorable time and one that they are unlikely to forget.

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