{{Short description|2009 Royal Navy deployment}} {{Use British English|date=November 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} thumb|Royal Marines practise rapid roping from a Lynx helicopter onto the deck of ''Bulwark'' at sea in the Indian Ocean, 16 April 2009.
'''Taurus 09''' was a Royal Navy deployment in 2009. It was the largest for more than ten years, involving a maximum strength of 3,300 Royal Navy personnel working from seven Royal Navy vessels and four Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. One ship each from the US and French navies also accompanied the deployment.
The task group departed Britain in February and called at Cyprus where elements took part in Operation Cyprus Wader, practising beach landings. In April the task group participated in Exercise Egemen, a NATO amphibious training operation in Turkey, alongside Turkish, Dutch and Belgian personnel. A reduced task group proceeded East of Suez, where underwater warfare exercises were carried out in the Arabian Sea. Elements took part in exercises in Bangladesh, marking the first time the Royal Navy had trained with that nation's navy for ten years. Royal Marines from the task group then took part in jungle warfare training in Brunei. The deployment ended in August when the last British vessels returned to Devonport.
== Background == [[File:US Navy 090126-N-9985W-026 Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr., Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, speaks with the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57).jpg|thumb|Vice Admiral Mel Williams speaks with members of the crew of USS ''Mitscher'' on 26 January 2009, the day before her deployment to Taurus 09.]] Taurus 09 was the largest Royal Navy deployment for more than ten years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Scott Gregory Taylor killed in Afghanistan |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/marine-scott-gregory-taylor-killed-in-afghanistan |website=British Government |access-date=9 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref> It centred on the Amphibious Task Group and was intended as a demonstration of the significant expansion of amphibious warfare capability in the navy since the end of the Cold War.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Waters |first1=Conrad |title=Seaforth World Naval Review 2010 |date=30 October 2009 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |isbn=978-1-78383-096-1 |page=218 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4847DAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> It was also intended to refresh the traditional sea-fighting capability of the Royal Marines at a time when many were deployed on land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref name=record/> Another goal was to develop the Royal Navy's capability of working alongside NATO allies and forces from other nations and to demonstrate the UK's commitment to security in the Mediterranean region.<ref name=echo/>
The deployment included the Royal Navy vessels ''Bulwark'' (assault ship), ''Ocean'' (landing platform helicopter), ''Argyll'' and ''Somerset'' (frigates), ''Echo'' (survey ship) and ''Trafalgar'' and ''Talent'' (fleet submarines). It also included the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels ''Mounts Bay'' and ''Lyme Bay'' (landing ships dock), ''Wave Ruler'' (tanker) and ''Fort Austin'' (stores ship). The US Navy's destroyer ''Mitscher'' and the French Navy's frigate ''Dupleix'' also participated. Personnel deployed included 40 Commando and 539 Raiding Squadron of the Royal Marines and the Fleet Diving Unit. Aerial assets came from 857 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King helicopters fitted for airborne surveillance and control), 820 Naval Air Squadron (AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin helicopters), the Commando Helicopter Force and No. 18 Squadron RAF (Chinook helicopters).<ref name=just>{{cite news |title=Thousands Welcome Major Royal Navy Task Group Home |url=https://www.justplymouth.com/thousands-welcome-major-royal-navy-task-group-home/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=www.justplymouth.com |date=3 August 2009}}</ref><ref name=hobbs/><ref name=sharpening/> Before the deployment some units took part in amphibious warfare training in Cornwall as part of Exercise South-West Sword.<ref name=sharpening>{{cite news |title=Sharpening the Sword |url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/200903 |page=15 |work=Navy News |date=March 2009}}</ref> The Commander Amphibious Task Group at the start of the deployment was Commodore Peter Hudson.<ref name=malta>{{cite news |title=Naval visit 'reinforces special UK-Malta relations ' |url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/naval-visit-reinforces-special-uk-malta-relations.246470 |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Times of Malta |date=26 February 2009 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
== Mediterranean portion == thumb|''Bulwark'' departing Devonport for the deployment, 18 February 2009 ''Ocean'' deployed for Taurus 09 on 18 February, leaving her role as the high-readiness helicopter carrier in British waters. She carried 40 Commando and the naval elements of the helicopter force.<ref name=hobbs/> From 27 February 2009 elements of the deployment, including ''Bulwark'', ''Argyll'', ''Somerset'' and ''Dupleix'' visited Malta.<ref name=malta/> In March ''Bulwark'' and ''Ocean'', with 40 Commando, participated in Operation Cyprus Wader, practising beach landings in Cyprus.<ref>{{cite news |title=Military news in brief |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/military-news-in-brief-nsswb8zn720 |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=The Times |date=14 March 2009 |language=en}}</ref>
In April the ships of Taurus 09 took part in Exercise Egemen, a NATO amphibious training operation in Turkey.<ref name=hobbs/> Egemen included operations alongside US troops as well as Dutch and Belgian troops operating from the Dutch landing platform docks ''Johan de Witt'' and ''Rotterdam''. Turkish personnel operated on reconnaissance tasks from HMS ''Argyll''. The Royal Marines were deployed ashore from ''Ocean'', ''Mounts Bay'' and ''Lyme Bay'' and operated for five days of simulated assaults and resupply operations alongside their Dutch and Belgian allies. The exercise was commanded from ''Bulwark''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Engelbrecht |first1=Leon |title=NATO marines exercise off Turkey, on way to Indian Ocean |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/joint/diplomacy-a-peace/nato-marines-exercise-off-turkey-on-way-to-indian-ocean/ |access-date=22 October 2024 |work=DefenceWeb |date=21 April 2009 |language=en-ZA}}</ref> The exercise included deployment of Offshore Raiding Craft by 539 Assault Squadron, including two of the then new gunboat variants.<ref>{{cite web |title=ORC deployed on Taurus 2009 |url=https://www.holyheadmarine.co.uk/orc-deployed-on-taurus-2009/ |website=Holyhead Marine |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref> The 847 Naval Air Squadron and the Fleet Diving Unit also participated in the exercise, which involved 2,500 Royal Navy personnel.<ref name=talent>{{cite news |title=HMS Talent part of a Royal Navy Task Group |url=https://www.justplymouth.com/hms-talent-part-of-a-royal-navy-task-group/ |access-date=22 October 2024 |work=Just Plymouth |date=14 April 2009}}</ref>
== Far East portion == thumb|A Royal Marine of 40 Commando training in Malaysia during the deployment, 18 May 2009 The taskforce reduced in number for the second phase of the deployment which was to be East of Suez.<ref name=talent/> After traversing the Suez Canal a group of vessels, including ''Ocean'', ''Somerset'', ''Talent'', ''Wave Ruler'' and ''Mitscher'' successfully transited the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Somalia, scene of recent pirate activity.<ref name=redditch>{{cite news |title=Ready to set sail on sea voyage |url=https://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/news/4323507.ready-to-set-sail-on-sea-voyage/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Redditch Advertiser |date=27 April 2009 |language=en}}</ref> During this transit ''Somerset'' assisted the Yemen coastguard in intelligence gathering using her Lynx helicopter.<ref name=nnreturn/>
''Bulwark'' called at India while the rest of the group carried out underwater warfare exercises in the Arabian Sea.<ref name=york/> ''Somerset'' and its Merlin helicopters hunted for ''Talent'' using a number of Thales sonar systems including a 2087 surface-ship towed-array sonar, the 2076 submarine sonar, the FLASH helicopter dipping sonar, and the 2050 bow-mounted active sonar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thales Sonars Play Critical Role in ASW Exercise |url=https://www.defense-aerospace.com/thales-sonars-play-critical-role-in-asw-exercise/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Defense Aerospace |date=8 June 2009}}</ref> Taurus 09 also carried out a trial of Raytheon's Deep Siren Tactical Paging system designed to communicate with submerged submarines at distances in excess of {{convert|100|nmi}}. The taskforce successfully communicated tactical messages and contact data to the submarine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raytheon: Raytheon Demonstrates New Submarine Communications Technology for UK Royal Navy - Jun 01, 2009 |url=https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1284 |website=Raytheon News Release Archive |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref>
A portion of the task group, including eight Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and two submarines, with ''Dupleix'' and ''Mitscher'' carried out training exercises with the Bangladesh Navy. This was the first time the Royal Navy had trained with the Bangladesh Navy for ten years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shan |first1=Nafeesa |title=Great Harwood sailor set for the Far East |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/4201185.great-harwood-sailor-set-for-the-far-east/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=13 March 2009}}</ref> The exercises took place in a number of Bangladeshi rivers from 29 April and were known as Exercise Shomudro Torongo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Waine's setting sail for adventure in Far East |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4305208.waines-setting-sail-for-adventure-in-far-east/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Worcester News |date=20 April 2009 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Unb |first1=Dhaka |title=Exercise Shomudro Torongo arrives today |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-86152 |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |date=29 April 2009 |language=en}}</ref>
The task group transited the Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia, scene of other pirate activity.<ref name=redditch/> ''Ocean'' attended the International Maritime Defence Exhibition in Singapore in May.<ref name=hobbs>{{cite book |last1=Hobbs |first1=David |title=British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development & Service Histories |date=30 September 2014 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |isbn=978-1-84832-138-0 |page=342 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C7liBwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> The group took park in joint Five Power Defence Arrangements and Commonwealth of Nations Exercise Persma Shield off Malaysia in June with the Royal Marines taking part in survival exercises.<ref name=somerset>{{cite news |title=Marines on gruelling jungle training |url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/4412131.marines-on-gruelling-jungle-training/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Somerset County Gazette |date=2 June 2009 |language=en}}</ref> ''Bulwark'' rejoined the task group for jungle training exercises in Brunei.<ref name=hobbs/><ref name=york>{{cite news |title=Petty Officer Colin Clayton heads for troubled waters |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4319875.petty-officer-colin-clayton-heads-for-troubled-waters/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=York Press |date=25 April 2009 |language=en}}</ref> These included survival exercises and practice in navigation and river crossings.<ref name=somerset/>
== Conclusion and legacy == thumb|''Mitscher'' returns to port at Norfolk naval base following the deployment, 14 August 2009. The task group returned home after the Brunei exercises, which marked their furthest travel east (at 114 degrees longitude).<ref name=nnreturn>{{cite news |title=A new experience for so many of us|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/200909 |page=4|work=Navy News |date=September 2009}}</ref> During the return journey 81 members of the crew of ''Somerset'' rowed the length of the Suez Canal, in {{convert|2|km}} legs, in a time of 10 hours and 40 minutes.<ref name=nnreturn/> On the return journey ''Wave Ruler'' visited Valletta, Malta from 16 July 2009 to carry out an operational stand down and changeover of crew.<ref>{{cite news |title=RFA Wave Ruler to visit |url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/rfa-wave-ruler-to-visit.265307 |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Times of Malta |date=16 July 2009 |language=en-gb}}</ref> ''Wave Ruler'' was a particularly active member of the task group, providing fuel and other supplies on more than 100 occasions, and travelling {{convert|35000|nmi}}; she returned to Devonport on 2 August 2009.<ref name=nnreturn/> The last British ships, ''Ocean'', ''Somerset'' and ''Bulwark'' returned to Devonport in the UK on 3 August.<ref name=return>{{cite news |title=Royal Navy's Taurus Task Force Returns to UK |url=https://www.defense-aerospace.com/royal-navys-taurus-task-force-returns-to-uk/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Defense Aerospace |date=4 August 2009}}</ref> The returning ships were greeted by thousands of spectators and welcomed to music by the Royal Marines Band Service.<ref name=just/> By the time of its return it was commanded by Commodore Paul Bennett who had succeeded Hudson in the role of Commander Amphibious Task Group.<ref name=return/>
The deployment covered {{convert|20400|mi}} and involved 3,300 Royal Navy personnel, at its maximum strength, training with 17 foreign nations.<ref name=return/><ref name=record>{{cite news |last1=McNeill |first1=Alastair |title=David relishes role in naval training exercise |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/david-relishes-role-naval-training-2437678 |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=1 April 2009 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=echo>{{cite news |title=Naval task force heads to the Med |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4201410.naval-task-force-heads-med/ |access-date=9 October 2024 |work=The Northern Echo |date=13 March 2009 |language=en}}</ref> During the deployment the task group was visited by the serving First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Sir Mark Stanhope and his predecessor Sir Jonathon Band. A Granada Television film crew also visited to film for series two of the Channel 5 series ''Warship''.<ref name=nnreturn/>
In the years following the deployment the Royal Navy retired its aircraft carriers and for some years before the commissioning of {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08}} in 2017 did not operate any. The Amphibious Task Group, renamed the Response Force Task Group became the primary deployable force of the navy.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Waters |first1=Conrad |title=Seaforth World Naval Review 2012 |date=30 October 2011 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |isbn=978-1-78383-098-5 |page=291 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Us87DAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Non-combat military operations involving the United Kingdom Category:British Armed Forces deployments Category:British military exercises Category:NATO military exercises Category:Naval education and training in the United Kingdom