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OVERVIEW

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) service consists of a civilian-manned flotilla made up of 22 ships. These vessels are used in times of both war and peace. Most have a limited weapons-fit for the purpose of self-defence. The service is managed by the Commodore RFA, who is directly responsible to the Commander in Chief Fleet (CinC Fleet).

Owned by the Ministry of Defence, the RFA has 2300 UK registered officers and ratings, whose training and career paths are broadly similar to those of the merchant navy. However, they also have a certain amount of specialist training, needed for working alongside the Royal Navy (RN).

During its long and distinguished history, the RFA has earned many battle honours. In recent times, the Flotilla was deployed in support of British forces during the Falklands and Gulf Wars.

RFA services are often needed for humanitarian operations. RFA ships are used as part of Britain's contribution to NATO and United Nations peace-keeping operations in places like the Balkans.

The functions of the RFA are:

LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

Every major deployment of RN ships needs a couple of RFA vessels to provide logistical support. The word logistical means dealing with the getting, maintenance and transport of military items, facilities and personnel. The RFA supplies the Armed Forces - particularly RN ships out at sea or in foreign ports - with fuel, food, ammunition, spares and other stores.

In the days of wooden warships the Royal Navy's needs were relatively simple: gunpowder, shot, canvas, timber, victuals (food) and rum. Gradually, its supply chain grew more complex, with a network of base ports, fuelling stations and depots all around the world. These were mainly serviced by merchant navy ships. In 1905, the term Royal Fleet Auxiliaries was devised to identify those merchant ships that were actually owned (rather than chartered) by the Admiralty.

The stage was reached when the RN wanted to refuel and resupply its ships while at sea. These 'at sea' operations were initially carried out using ropes and blocks. By the Second World War, bronze and then rubber hoses had been developed to carry out the refueling. These operations call for very high standards of seamanship, as the ships have to stay very close to each other, day or night and in all weathers.

The RFA's current Flotilla of 22 ships contains 13 tankers and store ships. Two of the newest tankers are WAVE KNIGHT and WAVE RULER. All tankers and stores ships, with the exception of the LEAF-class, have large flight-decks, hangars and facilities to carry RN helicopters together with their flying and maintenance crews. These helicopters are used to carry out re-supply, but can also operate as troop carriers or anti-submarine aircraft §.

AMPHIBIOUS SUPPORT

A secondary role of the RFA is to provide the Army and Royal Marines with secure transport during peace and wartime. Royal Marines exercises during the winter are supported by RFA vessels. Landing Ship Logistic (LSL) - Sir Class - vessels provide the British Army and the Royal Marines with transport and platforms from which to launch troops, tanks, guns, ammunition and so on. LSLs entered service in the 1960s. One of these was SIR GALAHAD, lost in the Falklands conflict. The present ship of that name, built to replace her, entered service in 1988 §.

FORWARD REPAIR

Forward repair is another element of the RFA's capability and is provided by RFA DILIGENCE. This is a complex ship fitted with workshops and equipment to deal with a wide range of frontline repair and maintenance requirements at sea. While battle damage repair is her wartime role, the ship is used extensively in her forward support role, acting as mother ship in support of Royal Navy units - usually minehunters or submarines - on distant deployments. Besides her heavy repair facilities, she is equipped to provide auxiliary electrical power, fuel, fresh water, feed water, accommodation and handling of sullage (refuse and sewage) §.

RN AVIATION TRAINING

In addition to its other roles, the RFA provides seaborne aviation training facilities for the RN §.

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