SJFHQ undertake valuable maritime familiarisation visit to HMNB Devonport
Personnel from the Standing Joint Force Headquarters visit HMNB Devonport to expand their knowledge of how the Royal Navy and Royal Marines operate.
SJFHQ personnel on board HMS Bulwark.Crown Copyright/MOD 2017. All rights reserved
Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) was established under the last Strategic Defence and Security Review and is a new deployable, operational 2* Joint Headquarters intended to command Joint forces in response to a crises or contingency worldwide.
SJFHQ personnel come from all 3 services and the purpose of the visit to was to widen the experience of SJFHQ staff from the and the in particular, so they can better appreciate the significant contribution the navy can play in any future operations. This will help them to plan more effectively and understand how the Royal Navy can best be utilised in SJFHQ led Joint operations.
Lt Col James Fuller, RM, briefs SJFHQ personnel on the capabilities of HMS Bulwark. Crown Copyright/MOD 2017. All rights reserved
The team spent 2 days at HMNB Devonport, where they received briefs on a range of topics, from amphibious operations to naval logistics and the new . They toured the assault ship and travelled in Offshore Raiding Craft for a coxswain demonstration from . After a briefing from the Navy鈥檚 Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) team, the SJFHQ team then split into groups to visit 2 vessels currently undergoing FOST training and assessments. The first group travelled to and watched her crew on an air assault exercise, while the second watched a damage control exercise on Norwegian frigate HNOMS Otto Sverdrup.
SJFHQ personnel ready to experience a ride on Offshore Raiding Craft, courtesy of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines.Crown Copyright/MOD 2017. All rights reserved
Lt Col Nick Morton RA, SJFHQ, said:
As a Joint Headquarters, it鈥檚 essential that we all have a good understanding of the capabilities and specialisms of each of the 3 branches of the armed forces, not just our own. Visiting Devonport has really helped me to develop and embed my knowledge of the Royal Navy and the reality of how it operates.
SJFHQ also has embedded staff officers from the UK鈥檚 partner nations in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and the Anglo-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, several of whom took part in the visit. The visit to HNOMS Otto Sverdrup therefore also provided an opportunity to see a JEF partner nation in action.
Captain Peter Olive RN, Assistant Chief of Staff (Operate Branch), SJFHQ said:
Our visit was enormously valuable to the team, especially those from the army and RAF. It has really brought the Royal Navy to life for the staff and helped them to understand more about the limitations and difficulties of maritime operations, as well as the enormous benefits maritime power can provide to any future deployments.
Everyone here at HMNB Devonport and on HMS Bulwark, HMS Duncan and HNOMS Otto Sverdrup has been extremely helpful and accommodating, so thank you to them.
The visit followed an earlier familiarisation visit to the Army鈥檚 Land Warfare Centre and plans are underway for a similar event with the RAF.