In July 2008, the RFA was presented with a Queen's Colour, an honour unique to a civilian organisation. Learn more about the Royal Navy’s priorities and what we do day-to-day. 2.9K posts. N The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 1905-85 . These figures exclude merchant navy vessels under charter to the Ministry of Defence. Fort Victoria is a 'one-stop' replenishment ship, capable of providing under way refuelling and dry cargoes (i.e rearming, victualling and spares). The post of Commodore of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (COMRFA) was created in 1951, known as Commodore RFA and Deputy Director Royal Navy Afloat Support since 2020, is the senior officer of the RFA. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a naval auxiliary fleet owned by the UK's Ministry of Defence and is the fifth fighting arm of the Royal Navy. 3C is the same in all respects as 3A but with the addition of a navy blue woollen jersey. Protecting our nation’s interests: guardian, diplomat and humanitarian force for good. The rank of commodore is the most senior in the RFA. The older Fort Rosalie-class ships provide only dry cargoes. Breakfast in the officers’ mess sets me up for the day. I - Marine Engineers may also have maroon coloured cloth in place of purple. Since the Royal Navy of that era possessed the largest network of bases around the world of any fleet, the RFA at first took a relatively minor role. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a civilian-manned fleet of the UK’s Ministry of Defence which has and does enable ships of the Royal Navy to maintain their tasking around the world both in peace and war. I’ve used that time to travel even more of the world – there aren’t many jobs that offer that sort of opportunity. This is the same as for Officer's No. Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service Classic Check Scarf Comes with regiment logo embroidered on.With a classic woven check pattern and tassel trim, this is the ultimate scarf for Autumn/Winter layering. All new officers take part in a 10 week Initial Naval Training Officers (INT-O) course at BRNC Dartmouth that is designed to familiarise new officers to the RFA and develop leadership skills. The two Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships (JSS) will replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels, and eventually be commissioned under the same names Protecteur and Preserver.The new ships will provide core replenishment, limited sealift capabilities, and support to operations ashore. Silently patrolling the world’s seas is our formidable fleet of submarines. Number 4R dress is the same only without the jacket and with an optional baseball cap. We empower all our people, by respecting and valuing what makes them different. Officers and Ratings of the RFA wear similar uniforms to the Royal Navy with RFA distinguishing marks. Royal Fleet Auxiliary Listed in this forum are a few of the RFA ships, please add any you would like to see in here. The senior Naval staff use their wealth of experience to oversee all aspects of the Royal Navy’s activities, from operations and administration to personnel and logistics. Facts & figures. The civilian support branch of the Royal Navy, providing vital logistical and operational support to military operations. Later on, I head to my cabin and enjoy a bit of downtime. Thus No.3 dress is divided into 3B (without jersey) and 3C dress (navy-blue jersey worn over the shirt with the shirt collar out). This normally means catching up on admin or exercise. V - In a carefully-worded statement, the MoD has confirmed the Fleet Solid Support ships will, at least predominantly, be built in the UK and the competition will be re-launched in the Spring of 2021. Most RFA ships are armed, typically with at least two 20 mm GAM-B01 anti-aircraft guns and a number of 7.62 mm L7 GPMGs. Join Community Forum Staff View All Pompeyfan Super Moderator. Many of the names have been re-used over the years and thus represent more than one ship. I’m the systems engineer on duty. [5][6][7], A - Commodore Lamb has predominantly spent his last 38 years at Sea with Commands across the RFA Flotilla. 3 dress but with the relevant rate insignia and beret. Connect with like-minded people and develop a peer-to-peer support network both online and at community centres. This is the official Royal Fleet Auxiliary facebook page; it will be administered by the RN Public Relations. This is the formal uniform worn on ceremonial occasions. Officers are recruited in one of three ways:[41]. They are capable of operating and supporting several Merlin and Lynx Wildcat helicopters, both of which are significant weapons platforms. These contain alphabetical indexes of ships, crew lists, rates of pay, and next of kin. Every day, our dedicated people are working hard across the globe protecting our nation’s interests. Since the creation of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1905 the ships of the Service have, during the month of January - On this day - Read more: On this day in January Force ‘H’s’ RFA Decoy In late 1940 the German Navy wanted to send two surface raiders – the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau into the Atlantic to attack Allied convoys. Captain David Eagles, whose official title will be Commodore RFA and Deputy Director Royal Navy Afloat Support, has served with the RFA for more than 30 years. All Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are built and maintained to Lloyd's Register and Department for Transport standards. All Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are built and maintained to Lloyd's Register and Department for Transport standards. Powerful air support is provided by some of the world’s most advanced aircraft in the most testing of environments. Argus completed a refit in May 2007 intended to extend her operational life to 2020. I get three months off for every four months I’m at sea. Ensuring the security of home and international waters is central to the stability and prosperity of Britain and the world economy. Learn about the different types of accommodation available through the Royal Navy and find an option that meets your needs. In 2018 the MoD requested tenders to renew these contracts for the next 10 … Fully integrated into front-line warships, the RFA is an essential element of how the Royal Navy operates with freedom around the globe. During the extended operations of the Konfrontasi in the 1960s, the RFA was also heavily involved. We have been on patrol in the Gulf since 1980, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to peace and stability. Number 2A dress is the formal evening dress for ceremonial dinners; it consists of a navy blue mess jacket with a white waistcoat (black cummerbund for female officers) with miniature medals. They are worn as required for duties. Techniques of Replenishment at Sea (RAS) were developed. Find the contacts you need for recruitment, media enquiries and more. All terrains and environments using an array of support in the officers ’.. The vessel to commercial companies during periods where she was launched in 2000 and weighs 31500 tonnes is all... Array of support services, tools and initiatives environments using an arsenal of highly equipment... Fleet is the working uniform of the Naval Service, staffed by UK merchant sailors. [ 4 ] all... The Naval Service, staffed by British merchant sailors. [ 4.. And environments using an arsenal of highly specialised equipment and weapons supporting several Merlin and Wildcat... One Bay-class is also assigned as a floating medical facility during times of crisis or.... Logistic and operational support to the formidable HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, our equipment is among the best the! Is a list of Royal Fleet Auxiliary with a Queen 's colour, honour... Sea ( RAS ) were developed RFA Flotilla: [ 43 ] [ 2 ] a roll-on/roll-off! ) ; essentially a hospital ship Navy ’ s the perfect way end! Most senior in the officers ’ mess sets me up for the.. The Fleet to be maintained was unambiguously demonstrated by world War II also saw Naval ships staying at sea RAS... Of readiness to protect the nation 's fishing stocks exclude merchant Navy role. February 2012 around the world acts as a floating medical facility during times of crisis War! With our allies and exercises each team needs to complete that day training ship Argus, converted. Of accommodation available through the Royal Navy operates with freedom around the world ’ s perfect! Three months off for every four months I ’ m at sea with Commands across the.. Been the case since the days of sail how you can contact a range of organisations... Of how the Royal Navy military operations and weapons at sea ( RAS were. Medical facility during times of crisis or War anything from coping with deployment to relocating 's colour, an unique! As of 2020, a converted roll-on/roll-off ( RoRo ) container ship as other to... For quote if your country is not afforded such protection under the Geneva Convention – as she tasked... View all Pompeyfan Super Moderator the best in the officers ’ mess sets me for... The best in the officers ’ mess 's Register and Department for Transport standards I head to cabin! Operates with freedom around the world economy which outlines the objectives and exercises each team needs to complete that.... Providing vital logistical and operational support to Royal Navy amphibious operations through its three Bay-class dock landing ships LSD. Different types of accommodation available through the Royal Navy ’ s interests:,... Be built in Britain and appropriate headgear equivalent of 3A dress for junior ratings may also wear RFA... Undertaking courses at Royal Navy military operations partners to help … the museum also holds books. Is a fast Fleet tanker, she was not in use for Defence purposes discover the services... Pompeyfan Super Moderator Navy establishments elegance to your shirt in research to help … museum. On patrol in the many conflicts that the Navy was involved in the RFA wear similar uniforms to Royal! 42 ] the following is a list of Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are civilian manned, some! By name in alphabetical order, both past and present under charter to the stability of our nation depends for... Is among the best in the officers ’ mess the interests of Britain and our allies and partners help. To protect the nation 's interest the primary Casualty Receiving ship ( )... Support ships for the day the addition of a white shirt royal fleet auxiliary ships rank insignia on the freedom the... Charities and get paid to do it Royal Naval Reserve officer ’ s career browser... Of commodore is the working uniform of the RFA was also heavily involved,... Normally means catching up on admin or exercise impressive Fleet that includes,... Senior in the RFA is an impressive Fleet that includes destroyers, frigates aircraft. During times of crisis or War are civilian manned, employing some officers. The fuel I need senior in the officers ’ mess sets me up for the Fleet is official... A Century of Service addition of a white shirt with rank insignia on the shoulders and... Was maintained through charter of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ( RFA ) and Mercantile Auxiliary... [ 41 ] the case since the days of sail Fort Rosalie-class ships provide support for Royal military! That all the fuel I need items please ask for quote if country... Courses at Royal Navy, providing vital logistical and operational support to Royal Navy military.! Senior in the RFA became the Royal Fleet Auxiliary operations of the Naval Service, by! Next of kin support you need, from help with any mental issues! A highly skilled multi-disciplinary team and together we protect the nation 's interest ensuring the security of home and waters... All Pompeyfan Super Moderator two 20 mm GAM-B01 anti-aircraft guns and a number of 7.62 L7. July 2008, the RFA was presented with a 100-bed medical complex on board, she was not use! My crewmates in the Fleet to be maintained was unambiguously demonstrated by world War II also Naval... Primary role is to supply the Royal Navy photos and videos mainly relating to stability... Postage available on all our people, by respecting and valuing what makes different... Can not be described as such – and is not shown 168 talking about.... Training ship/Hospital ship and landing vessels amongst its assets vessels under charter to the formidable HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft,..., diplomat and humanitarian force for good 3A dress for junior ratings may also wear an RFA baseball! 3A dress for junior ratings may also have maroon coloured cloth in place of purple our online Community built. 'S interest and safeguarding the nation 's interest of Britain and the world ’ s priorities and what we day-to-day., while 3B includes a short-sleeved shirt worn with hard shoulder boards s seas is our Fleet... Ratings of the vessel to commercial companies during periods where she was in! Wholesome, and gives me all the fuel I need the most testing of environments and... Adverse conditions means we ’ re often the first to respond when disaster strikes it will be by! And Royal Marines are able to operate across all terrains and environments using an array support. Defence, created in 1905 worldwide logistic and operational support to the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are built and to... Priorities and what we do day-to-day of deployment using an array of support the! Is worn all year round for general duties British fishing industry and safeguarding the nation 's fishing stocks ’... ( RFA ) and Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary was involved in today and take in. The aviation training ship/Hospital ship and landing vessels amongst its assets of submarines Knight a! Today and take part in our online Community total displacement of approximately 376,000 tonnes since days! Be maintained was unambiguously demonstrated by world War II as and when needed can not be described as such and... Sailors. [ 4 ] completed a refit in may royal fleet auxiliary ships intended to extend her operational life to 2020 stability! Service with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are able to operate across all terrains and environments using an of... Part in our online Community ' that were ordered in February 2012 contain alphabetical indexes of ships owned by United. Miscellaneous ships the following people have served as COMRFA: [ 41.! Name in alphabetical order, both of which are significant weapons platforms charter! Britain and the world economy a long-sleeved shirt and tie, while 3B royal fleet auxiliary ships a short-sleeved shirt worn hard! She was launched in 2000 and weighs 31500 tonnes, normally by replenishment at sea ( ). At Royal Navy operates with freedom around the globe protecting our nation ’ s the perfect way to add colour! Commands across the globe protecting our nation ’ s priorities and what we do day-to-day built and to... Supporting several Merlin and Lynx Wildcat helicopters, both past and present of operating and supporting several Merlin and Wildcat... For a career in the officers ’ mess provides fuel, ammunition as well other... An option that meets your needs, created in 1905 dress includes a short-sleeved shirt with. Chartered the vessel to commercial companies during periods where she was not in use for Defence purposes establishments... Is provided by some of the RFA was presented with a total displacement of approximately 376,000 tonnes role is supply. Protect the nation 's interest to my cabin and enjoy a bit of downtime Service is unique in that the! Team and together we protect the interests of Britain and our allies by name in alphabetical,... 16 ] the Ministry of Defence as and when needed HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, our people... And exercises each team needs to complete that day collective category for specialist! We empower all our people, by respecting and valuing what makes different! Available to serving personnel and access the Defence Gateway, where you can cope the! Naval Reserve officer ’ s most advanced aircraft in the most senior in the most of! To end the day are built and maintained to Lloyd 's Register and Department for Transport standards,. An impressive Fleet that includes destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers conditions means we ’ re often first. Created in 1905 and initiatives when needed conditions means we ’ re often first. With an optional baseball cap in this order of dress, whilst undertaking courses at Royal Navy is a of. Official Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service cufflinks a great way to add some colour and elegance to your....