Royal Navy Amphibious Task Group Arrives in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Royal Navy's Amphibious Task Group (ATG) arrived at Naval Station Norfolk June 30 for a port visit during Operation Auriga.

The Royal Navy landing platform dock ship HMS Albion (L14), landing platform helicopter ship HMS Ocean (L12), Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Largs Bay (L3006), and the 3 Commando Brigade will spend several days in Norfolk before conducting joint operations with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and II Marine Expeditionary Force in July.

Auriga is the major 2010 Royal Navy deployment that focuses on a series of U.S. and Canadian exercises with the principal aim of enhancing operational capability by training with coalition partners in traditional war fighting areas of carrier strike, amphibious assault and anti-submarine warfare operations.

The U.K. ATG will partner with the U.K. Carrier Strike Lead Task Group (CSLTG), which deployed to the East Coast in April in support of Operation Auriga.

Carrier Strike Lead Task Group is comprised of the Royal Navy Fleet flagship HMS Ark Royal (R07), frigate HMS Sutherland (F81), destroyer HMS Liverpool (D92), Royal fleet auxiliary Fort George (A388), French submarine FS Perle (s606), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52).

The carrier strike and amphibious capabilities are at the core of the U.K.'s expeditionary maritime strategy.