Liam's formal title in the iRAN is maritime geospatial officer - but basically he's a weatherman — Liam's formal title in the RAN is maritime geospatial officer - but basically he's a weatherman (Picture: MOD)

CSG25

Forecast is clear skies and plain sailing for Oz weatherman on Prince of Wales

As HMS Prince of Wales headed towards Australia on Carrier Strike Group 25, the flagship had a very important officer on board - a weatherman from the Royal Australian Navy.

Liam Humphrey has been on the carrier for the past three months, but his exchange deployment with the Royal Navy is now coming to an end.

He had been assigned to Prince of Wales since she sailed from Portsmouth in late April, but will end his stint aboard the flagship back on home soil.

Liam's Royal Australian Navy title is maritime geospatial officer, a role known as meteorological and oceanographic officer in the Royal Navy, but the job is similar.

He's been responsible for weather forecasting for all the ships and aviation assets in the area.

This includes F-35B Lightning stealth fighters, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, plus helicopters belonging to allied vessels assigned to the carrier group such as HMNZS Te Kaha’s Sea Sprite, and the various drones being operated by 700X Naval Air Squadron.

Liam also advises the command team on the tactical exploitation of the ocean and atmosphere to enable all spheres of warfare, such as HMS Richmond leading the hunt for hostile submarines targeting the carrier force.

Accurate weather data is crucial to planning and executing a successful sortie (Picture: MOD)

HMS Prince of Wales is leading the Royal Navy's involvement in the largest military exercise ever staged in Australia - Talisman Sabre.

This involves 19 nations and 35,000 personnel and and is spread across much of the Northern Territory and Queensland.

The Carrier Strike Group's F-35 jets and helicopters will be heavily engaged throughout the three-week workout - naturally demanding weather forecasts with complete accuracy.