RefitRosythCIWS Phalanx 20 mm refit at Babcocks, until Jun 1999, fitted with Phalanx CIWS
2003-jan-18
Deployment
DeploymentOperation Telic to support post-combat and reconstruction operations in Iraq, with 4 Merlin from 814 NAS embarked, completing 28 May 2003.
2006-jul
Deployment
Deploymentoff LebanonOperation Highbrow supported Royal Navy vessels in evacuation of British nationals from Beirut, during Israel-Lebanon war. Returned to UK on 8 Aug.
2007-apr
Homeport
Homeport in extended readiness until Mar 2009
2008-oct-21
departed Portsmouth under tow for Birkenhead in preparation for refit.
2008-oct-27
Refit
RefitCanada Dock refit at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead until 11 Nov 2009
2010-aug-29
Deployment
Deployment departed Scotland for a 40 month Middle East waters and Indian Ocean deployment with anti-piracy force CTF-151. Relieved on station by RFA Fort Austin on 18 Oct 2013 and returned to Crombie on 9 Dec.
2011-jan
Deployment
Deployment Completed an anti-piracy support deployment to the Arabian Gulf and Somali Basin, with an 820 NAS Merlin embarked.
2011-feb
Deployment
Deployment relieved RFA Bayleaf as Arabian Gulf Ready Tanker.
2011-sep
Deployment
DeploymentOperation Ocean Shield departed Dubai for anti-piracy deployment to Indian Ocean. 815NAS 229 Flt Lynx HMA.8SRU ZF562 embarked.
2011-oct-10
Deployment
Deployment Ships Flt Lynx came to aid of hi-jacked mv Montecristo, c 550 nm E of Somalia and re-took the ship with a Royal Marine boarding party.
2011-nov-21
Deployment
Deployment Off the Horn of Africa, performing a RAS with HMS Somerset.
2012-may-03
Aircraft
Aircraft embarked MH-60R from HSM-77Saberhawks (usually deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln) while part of CTF-151.
2012-sep-24
Refit
RefitAl MinaPort Rachid refitted in Dubai (destored to RFA Fort Rosalie beforehand), until 29 Nov
2013-jan
Deployment
DeploymentCombined Task Force 53 Assigned as Support Ship to CTF 53 in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, following refit in Dubai. Relieved RFA Wave Ruler.
2014-feb
Refit
Refit 10 month refit at Birkenhead, which included overhaul of both main engines and replacement of both propellors and 6 diesel generators. Completed Jan 2015
2015-nov
Port Visit
Port VisitPort of Duqm Visited Duqm to assess suitability as a re-supply hub for Gulf and Indian Ocean operations
2015-dec
Deployment
DeploymentCTF-152 Operating in the Gulf with Sea King ASaC.7 of 849 NASOkinawa Flt embarked
2016-aug
Deployment
Deployment conducted RAS in Arabian Gulf, with HMAS Perth.
RefitBirkenhead Departed Birkenhead after completion of refit on 26 Oct 2018. Apart from usual overhauls and repaint, she was fitted with a fast, high-capacity Heavy Replenishment at Sea (HRAS) system to support rapid solid stores supply to the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers and retrofitted with a limited double hull for the oil and aviation fuel tanks.
AircraftCSG21 embarked 3x Merlin HC.4 of 845 NAS B Flt, in preparation for CSG21 deployment. Includes ZJ127 / L and J Coy 42 Commando, RM.
2021-may-10
Port Visit
Port VisitPortland HarbourAccident Minor fire in the cold stores while alongside at Portland, led to much of the frozen food for the CSG21 group deployment to be condemned and removed. Incident highlighted a lack of resilience for CSG21, as this was the sole Solid Support Ship assigned to the Group.
2021-jul-07
Deployment
DeploymentSuez CanalCSG21 Transit of Suez Canal from Mediterranean, with CSG21 main force.