Page 27 - A4 Journal 2019

Our Military Affiliates

HMS LANCASTER
In July 2019, Lt Cdr Mike Bray, the Weapon Engineer Officer on HMS Lancaster wrote:

“HMS LANCASTER has been in refit for nearly two years with Ship Staff Move On Board (SSMOB) planned for
August 2019. The intention is to then proceed to sea mid-December to attempt (if all successful) to bring her
back into Portsmouth under her own power in time for Christmas. This will be the first time she has entered
Portsmouth under her own power for 4 years. HMS LANCASTER’s programmed Fleet Date is then 1 May 2020
with her proceeding on sea trials later that year prior to deploying in early 2021.

The ship’s refit was extended due to the amount of structural work that was needed. Over
200 new steel inserts have been fitted to her hull to make her structurally sound. She has
also been fitted with the RT997 radar and will come out with the new RT1084 navigational
radar. She has had the Seawolf system removed and the new Sea Ceptor system fitted.
These are just some of the upgrades to HMS Lancaster during her refit and during the autumn
period these systems will be commissioned ready to undertake Post Upkeep Sea Trials early
next year.

HMS LANCASTER was under the care of Babcock and the Refit Support Group Devonport for her
refit. She started to crew up from mid-April 2019. The first six crew to join were the Weapon
Engineer Officer, Marine Engineer Officer, Logistics Officer, Deputy Marine Engineer Office, Deputy
Logistics Officer and the Executive Warrant Officer. The crew now stands at 110 and will be circa
130 as we hit SSMOB. They are all currently being trained to take care and protection of HMS
LANCASTER back from Babcock in August 2019. They are also making sure that she is safe in all
respects for the crew to move on-board. This involves all aspects of duty watch training including
Fire Fighting, Damage Control, Casualty response etc.”

HMS LANCASTER is keen to rebuild all the relationships from her previous affiliations and plans to
host affiliates at a formal event later this year.

NEWS FROM 5001 SQUADRON (RAF)

Sgt R S Bourne, the Team Leader, writes:
“2018 was a year of celebration as it marked the centenary of the Royal Air Force. In addition to the
ceremonies, parades and aircraft displays the Squadron maintained its support to multiple concurrent
Military Operations.

Over the past 12 months the Squadron has continued to provide specialist engineering support to the RAF’s
Deployable Air Combat Service Support Units based at RAF Wittering. Always evolving through continuous
improvement, the Squadron now operates as a Deployed Ground Engineering SPEARHEAD capability
supporting emergent worldwide RAF operations.
During the summer months Operations Flight deployed to support
operations in Mali, Africa to construct three 25m aircraft shelters for the
Joint Helicopter Force (JHF) in support of the French Air Force. Working in
conjunction with the Royal Engineers as part of a Military Construction
Force this deployment proved to be both physically and technically
challenging. Despite these challenges, construction was completed ahead
of schedule and was regarded as a great success for the Flight and the
Squadron.
The later half of the year presented further challenges as 5001 Squadron
provided additional support to Joint Operations across the Broader Middle
East. Again, Operations Flight deployed to construct a new
Environmentally Controlled Equipment Storage Facility and carry out
structural modifications to existing deployed 20.4m aircraft shelters;
removing the door assemblies to convert them into aircraft sunshades.

Autumn 2019 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Page 27