Ocean Wave '97

Ocean Wave '97 was the name of a Royal Navy combat group that was sent to the Far East in 1997. In addition to the usual maneuvers and exercises, the main task was to provide military security for the surrender of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China .

The flagship of the combat group was the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R06) . In addition to this aircraft carrier, the fleet consisted of the landing ships HMS Fearless (L10) , RFA Sir Galahad (L3005) , RFA Sir Percivale and RFA Sir Geraint . The destroyers and frigates HMS Gloucester , HMS Beaver and HMS Richmond continued to belong to the association. RFA Fort George , RFA Fort Austin and RFA Olna were available on supply and tankers . The nuclear submarine HMS Trenchant (S92) , a Trafalgar- class boat, also belonged to the Ocean Wave '97 .

In the course of the eight-month mission, other ships joined the Ocean Wave '97 group on various occasions , or ships were turned off for other tasks. At the height of the mission, the task group comprised more than 20 units.

Ocean Wave '97 was commanded by Rear Adm. Alan West .

Web links

• Report from The Independent newspaper accessed on March 10, 2010