Tuesday, 26th February 2008 - 12:05CET

HMS Illustrious returns to Malta

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has arrived in Malta for a four day visit.

The carrier sailed into Grand Harbour with her sailors lining the flight deck and a small band playing.

Her return coincides with the conclusion of a twinning agreement between the ship and the Three Cities, which will formalise the close bond shared for over 60 years.

The previous HMS Illustrious helped escort convoys to Malta in the second world war and was heavily bombed during one such operation in January 1941. She limped to Malta and berthed alongside Parlatorio Wharf (now No6 dock) for urgent repairs. German and Italian aircraft tried to sink her there but failed, thanks mostly to a box barrage of anti-aircraft guns mounted around her. Those raids, however, devastated the dockyard and the three cities, notably Senglea. Illustrious later slipped out of Malta to Alexandria and then the UNited States for major repairs.

The current Illustrious, a sister ship to Ark Royal and Invincible, operates Harrier jump jets and Merlin helicopters.

It is currently involved in the ORION 08 deployment, a multi-national maritime Task Group centred on the aircraft carrier. Deploying from the UK to the Indian Ocean, the task group consists of more than 2,500 personnel, 13 ships, a nuclear powered submarine, Harrier jump jets and Merlin and Lynx helicopters. The French, Spanish and US Navies are all contributing ships and aircraft to the group, which is under the Operational Control of the Royal Navy. O

The Task Group shall conduct a wide range of training activities including anti-submarine warfare and ground attack support from Harrier Aircraft. In addition, it will contribute towards international efforts to promote maritime security in the region.

The Task group is commanded by Commodore Tom Cunningham Royal Navy.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

S Cutajar (on 27/2/08)

We welcome warships to our harbours because their countries and their crews are our friends and because Malta is a hospitable country which has no enemies. Just imagine what would happen if there were no warships in the Med, or any sea for that matter. The Law of the Sea will be replaced by the Law of the Jungle where might is right. Some countries might decide to extend their territorial waters right to our shores (an attempt at this was made some time ago) Terrorists and pirates will be free to rule the waves. Cruise liners will be no more...offshore oil exploration will cease...need I continue?

joseph cachia (on 27/2/08)

Why do we welcome these warships in our waters . these are WMD not peace seeking OPRI tal BAHAR. Are these warships in the MED coming from IRAQ or a show of MIGHT in IRANIAN coastal waters ?.

Gill Plant (on 26/2/08)

My nephew is serving on HMS Illustrious and he rang me in England this afternoon to tell me of their arrival in the Grand Harbour. His comments were "It was an incredible sight. Absolutely marvellous". He was struck by the colour of the stone as he has never been to the island before but knows of our love for the Maltese and their country so he knew it would be good but he said the welcome had exceeded his expectations. On his behalf and ours -Thank you.