HMS Illustrious sends birthday message to Her Majesty the Queen

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The Sailors of HMS Illustrious took time out to wish Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy 80th Birthday. The Fleet Flagship and her Task Group are in the Red Sea on their way to the Indian Ocean for a four month deployment.

Happy birthday Ma'am: the crew of HMS Illustrious send their birthday message to The Queen
[Picture: Royal Navy]

The birthday message, which was spelt out on the 200m flight deck, required some 500 Sailors and Airmen, representing over half of the total Ship’s Company.

The special formation is just the first of a number of events planned by Armed Forces and MOD personnel, in celebration of the Birthday of Her Majesty, our Commander-in-Chief.

Illustrious's Commanding Officer, Captain Bob Cooling, said:

"Having hosted the Queen on board in Malta recently the ship’s company wanted to send a personal message of congratulation. We had just come out of the Suez Canal leading a powerful task group and I stood with my crew in the sweltering heat of the Red Sea for over an hour to get the right shot.

"We all hope that Her Majesty enjoys the picture, and we wish her many happy returns. Meanwhile we’ll be flying the flag proudly during our Maritime Security Operations in the Indian Ocean, aiming to make this unstable region a safer place for everyone."

HMS Illustrious is currently leading a Task Group which includes the Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA Fort Victoria, one of the Royal Navy’s most capable replenishment ships.
France has also allocated one of her most up-to-date frigates, the FS Surcouf, to the deployment as part of the ongoing co-operation between British and French military forces.

The long-planned deployment will support the international coalition in the region and contribute towards regional maritime stability. Additionally it will demonstrate Britain’s ability to deploy, operate and sustain a maritime strike force, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean through engagement with countries in the regions.

Illustrious is leading a Task Group of Royal Navy warships, supported by a French frigate, on a deployment into the Indian Ocean to assist coalition forces in regional security operations. These will include using the aircraft carrier’s powerful air group on exercises with other national security forces in the area to improve regional stability and mutual cooperation in defeating the terrorist threat.

The Task Group is also likely to be involved in suppressing illegal activity such as piracy, drug trafficking and illegal immigration. As a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to peace and security in the region the Task Group is equipped to deal with any emergence from humanitarian disaster relief to combat operations.

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