Grand tour Down Under: Behind the scenes of Navy flagship leading CSG25 deployment
From stealth fighters to sleeping quarters, there's a lot to squeeze in on the Royal Navy's flagship.
A sailor from the Royal Australian Navy was lucky enough to receive an in-depth tour of HMS Prince of Wales while she was docked in Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory, as part of the CSG25 deployment.
From dining facilities for 1,600, to a fully-equipped free weights area and even a sauna, here's a look at all the facilities that can be found above and below deck, ably demonstrated by Able Rate Georgia Davidson to her Australian counterpart.
The two women have similar jobs as Able Seaman Bradshaw's role is CIS Sailor (Communications and Information Systems), while AB Davidson is an Engineering Technician, specialising in communications.
AB Bradshaw, who is shore-based, had the opportunity to see the ship's F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin Mk2 sub-hunting helicopters on the flight deck.
The pair then went below, where AB Davidson explained how the lift brings the aircraft from the hangar up to the flight deck and vice versa.
This means the aircraft can be rotated, so flight hours can be shared across the airframes and vital maintenance work can be carried out below decks.
The F-35s were in action on Exercise Talisman Sabre – the largest iteration to date of the Australia-led multinational training exercise.
A United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II – the US name for the aircraft – was also embarked on the carrier alongside the RAF and Royal Navy Lightnings.
Time for scran
While the carrier's focus is to launch aerial assets for offensive or defensive operations, nothing will function properly without a well-fed crew.
AB Bradshaw was therefore shown the junior ranks' dining hall.
The various messes on board have to serve food, known as scran, for the 1,600 people who are currently on board – one recent morale-boosting highlight being a barbecue.
AB Davidson praised the standard of the food, especially considering the number of personnel being catered for, and pointed out how the selection was varied – including fish and chips being offered every Friday and a roast on Sundays.
Let's get physical
Next stop was one of the gyms, which offered plenty of free weights as well as a dojo for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a sauna.
The carrier has her own rugby team, and the gyms are even equipped for rugby training, with upcoming men's and women's games being staged with local side the Darwin Stray Cats.
AB Bradshaw asked her host what the best thing was about her deployment so far – the answer was the opportunity to travel to so many new places on CSG25.
Coffee break
A hard-working crew needs time to decompress, and the Australian sailor then had the chance to visit the coffee shop – but was warned not to over-indulge on the cakes that were also on offer.
AB Bradshaw explained the three-day shift pattern the crew work to, ensuring all stations are adequately staffed 24/7.
The conversation then turned to Australian wildlife, with AB Bradshaw pointing out how the crew could use their downtime to visit nearby wildlife parks and see some crocodiles.
Then it was off to a NAAFI shop, offering everything from civilian clothes to perfume and headphones – and even a few Lego sets.
AB Davidson said the shop was both good and bad – as it was tempting to spend too much money!
She then advised her Aussie companion to try a very British delicacy – Hobnob biscuits dunked in a cup of tea.
On seeing the cabins where the crew sleep, AB Bradshaw was impressed by the available space, a premium on any warship.
She saw how there was even a rack to hold the women's Crocs so they could be worn walking to and from the shower, the rack not only keeping them neat and tidy, but also freeing up floorspace.
Making friends at tour's end
When the tour was over, the two women shared patches, the Australian sailor being given the white ensign as well as a CSG25 badge.
With 19 nations and more than 30,000 personnel involved, the deployment highlights the UK's commitment to Indo-Pacific security and the rules-based international order.
HMS Prince of Wales marks the first visit to Australia by a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier, and the first Royal Navy carrier to have visited the country since 1997.
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