HMS Illustrious and HMS Exter expected tomorrow on routine visit
A statement from HQ British Forces Gibraltar today, announces the visit of HMS Illustrious and HMS Exeter, due to arrive in Gibraltar tomorrow on a routine stop-over as part of their current operational deployment.
The visit is principally designed to provide rest and recreational opportunities for both ship’s crew. Their visit is expected to last several days.
HMS Illustrious is the second of three Invincible class aircraft carriers and the fifth ship to bear the name. Illustrious or “Lusty†as she is fondly know to her crew was built at Swan Hunter on the Tyne and subsequently commissioned in her base port of Portsmouth in 1982.
Having recently completed an intense training and assessment period, and taken a lead role in the Trafalgar 200 and International Festival of the Sea celebrations, Illustrious has assumed the responsibilities and duties of the Royal Navy ’s Fleet Flagship. No other platform provides the flexibility, power projection capability and command and control facilities of an aircraft carrier.
As the politics of the World change, the United Kingdom relies increasingly on Illustrious as an important enabler of foreign policy.
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HMS Exeter was launched in 1979 by Lady Mulley and entered service in 1980.
She is the 5th Ship to bear the name Exeter, her predecessor being famous for her role in the Battle of the River Plate and the sinking of the German “Pocket Battleship” the Graf Spee on 13 Dec 1939.
The current Exeter saw service in the Falkland Island War in 1982.
Exeter has proud and long links with the City of Exeter and has many affiliates associated with the City.
From HQ British Forces Gibraltar - Media Ops Press Release - 18 November 2005 - Ref: 051128KC01
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