Page 20 - Cormorant Issue 20 2017

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Maritime Combat Power Visit
Lt Col Charlie Harmer
THE ANTICIPATION WAS PALPABLE. As a result of ship availability (lack thereof), ACSC 20 had waited four months between
the theory delivered on the Maritime phase and the practical of the Maritime Combat Power Visit (MCPV) based at Devonport. For
the few who, even at this stage in their careers, still question their choice of service, what was promised by the Senior Service pledged to do little other than make them question themselves still further. A keynote speech the day before departure from the Fleet Commander sent us all back to our ‘cabins’ to waterproof our kit for what promised to be a ‘hoo ng’ cruise around the Western Approaches. The most complicated synch matrix ever seen left us in no doubt of the effort that had been put into making this a memorable trip. Everyone would get time at sea in an Anti-Air Warfare destroyer (HMS Dragon), an Anti-Submarine frigate (HMS Sutherland) or an Offshore Patrol Vessel (HMS Mersey). Shore stands would include Amphibious capabilities with 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM) on HMS Bulwark, Southern Diving Unit, Hydrography and Meteorology and opportunities to go aboard a Mine Countermeasures Vessel (HMS Hurworth) and an Attack Submarine (HMS Triumph) – thankfully tied up!
In amongst all this, the promise of a run ashore
in Plymouth and a night in a ‘hotel’ kept even
the disengaged engaged. Alas, the realities of operating some of the most advanced, revolutionary