Navy News
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Over two weeks of high intensity maritime warfare training, the combined battle staffs of Commander UK Strike Forces and French Maritime Forces confirmed their readiness for a wide range of operations anywhere in the world.
This year, Griffin Strike was combined with Exercise Joint Warrior, and included representation from NATO allies US, Germany and Denmark, as well as personnel from the Netherlands, Italy, Latvia and Estonia.
UK and French forces formed a combined headquarters aboard the French amphibious assault and helicopter carrier FS Tonnerre, exchanging personnel in key positions within their staffs.
Commanding the Task Force was the Royal Navy’s Rear Admiral Andrew Burns, who said: “Exercise Griffin Strike has built on the successes of similar exercises since the Lancaster House Treaty and taken the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) capability to the next level.
“This year we have delivered a degree of complexity that leaves the maritime component of CJEF ready to take its place in full joint and combined operations.
“It has been a privilege to lead the combined staff in reaching this milestone and I look forward to us operating together again in the future.”
The Combined Joint Expeditionary Force originated from the Lancaster House Treaty in 2010, a historic commitment from the UK and French governments to strengthen bi-lateral military integration.
The treaty envisaged a force that was suitable for a wide range of scenarios, up to and including high intensity operations.
The CJEF comprises a land, maritime and air component with their associated headquarters and logistic support.
It is available at notice for bilateral, NATO, European Union, United Nations or other operations.
Exercise Griffin Strike has built on the successes of similar exercises since the Lancaster House Treaty and taken the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) capability to the next level. This year we have delivered a degree of complexity that leaves the maritime component of CJEF ready to take its place in full joint and combined operations. It has been a privilege to lead the combined staff in reaching this milestone and I look forward to us operating together again in the future.
Rear Admiral Andrew Burns
With representation from across the Naval Service, Exercise Griffin Strike also included the UK’s Amphibious Task Group, headed up by Commander Littoral Strike Group and 3 Commando Brigade Headquarters aboard the UK flagship HMS Albion; as well as the Mine Warfare battle staff, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, UK, French and Norwegian submarines, multinational frigates, helicopters from the British Army and jets and surveillance aircraft from the RAF.
The senior French officer, and Deputy Commander for the exercise was Capt Eric Janicot, who said: “Being on board FS Tonnerre together for three weeks was a great opportunity to enhance common Anglo-French team understanding and to deliver a strong maritime component command dedicated to supporting CJEF.”
Exercise Griffin Strike tested both the skills and drills of individual ships, and the headquarters’ ability to command and maintain situational awareness.
The multinational ships were split into opposing sides and pitted against each other during dynamic and intense maritime warfare training.
The CJEF was forced to navigate minefields while avoiding detection from submarines hidden in deep waters within the North Minch and Sea of the Hebrides.
Simultaneously, fast jets launched attacks from the air, while small fast attack craft raided from the shore, and coastal defence cruise missiles rained in fire from hidden sites on land.
The taskforce also faced simulated cyber incidents and degradation of their sensors and communications, giving a flavour of the multi-domain threats of the contemporary operating and hybrid warfare environments.
With HMS Queen Elizabeth and her UK F-35 jets currently deployed on flying trials, the Royal Navy is rapidly evolving its maritime strike capabilities to meet these threats.
Right in the middle of this battle was Petty Officer Callum Spinks, who said: “GS19 underlined the strong partnership between our two navies, providing proof that, regardless of the future, we are able to provide a strong and assured battle staff to be deployed as and when needed by our nations.”
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.