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Tanker key to Royal Navy's Med and Middle East operations

The RFA Fast Fleet Tanker, Wave Knight, is supporting a major Royal Navy deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East.

The 31,500 tonne vessel is part of the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) consisting of ships, aircraft and Royal Marines held at high readiness.

RFA Wave Knight is essential to maintaining the self sufficiency of the Task Group for prolonged periods at sea by providing fuel and other supplies.

It has been a very busy period for Wave Knight since she left Portland on 25 April. Prior to joining the advanced task group, the ship embarked eleven staff from the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation which put the ship through its paces with intense and realistic damage-control and fire-fighting training serials.

RFA Wave Knight commanding officer, Captain Vernon Ramsay-Smith, RFA, said: “Cougar 11 is proving to be a huge success for RFA Wave Knight. We have conducted a number of fuel replenishments, supported the Response Force Task Group as well as units operating under the NATO banner. It’s been hard work for the ship’s company, but we enjoyed some well deserved rest in Sciliy in early May. The ship’s company should be very proud of their achievements, as indeed am I.”