Tri-Service
RFA Argus Returns To Sea
Casualty receiving ship RFA Argus has returned to sea following several months in refit.
She's been undergoing tests for weeks to ensure she's seaworthy, before getting the go-ahead to return to duty.
So with the green light, Captain Karl Woodfield, sailed the Argus out to sea.
The ship and her company are now at five days' notice to deploy on any operation around the world – just like in 2014, when they were sent to help with the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone.
It's been a busy few weeks for the mixed crew on board.
There's 140 RFA personnel and 60 from the Royal Navy working alongside each other, while the Maritime Aviation Support Force from RNAS Culdrose are also on board providing aircraft handlers and engineers.
Using the deck are the Green Merlins of the Commando Helicopter Force, the Fleet Air Arm's Mark 8 Lynx and the Flag Officer Sea Training Dauphin.
To ensure they can keep flying the pilots need to do 12 landings; four in the day, four at night with lights on and four at night using their night-vision systems.
Over the next few weeks the ship will see pilots of the Army Air Corps Apaches and RAF Chinooks come to test their skills.
Despite her current operation, RFA Argus' primary role is as a casualty receiving ship.
But unless she's called on to deploy at short notice, she'll be sailing back and forth along the south coast supporting service aviation.
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