A Bit About the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary


The Royal Fleet Auxiliary commonly referred to as the RFA, is owned by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). It works with the Royal Navy and other NATO allies to provide replenishment capability at sea, also diversifying into capabilities including but not limited to: humanitarian assistance, landing troops, casualty receiving, aircraft training facilitation and repair of naval vessels at sea.
Although the RFA vessels upon first glance look like Royal Navy vessels, they are part of the UK merchant fleet with all crew as such being civilian. However it is worthwhile noting that if you intend to join the RFA, you will be a 'sponsored reservist' and requested to enter a hostile/conflict zone if required during a time of war. RFA vessels are equipped with weaponry such as the GPMG and Phalanx anti-aircraft system, however I must hasten to add these are for defensive purposes only and not an offensive measure in lieu of other combat naval assets.
On a slightly more positive note, the RFA working with the Royal Navy conducts operations across the globe! From the South Atlantic to the Caribbean and the UK waters to the Gulf, the RFA are there! So as you can imagine being an RFA crewman or officer would involve extensive travel across the globe.
Historically the RFA have been involved in every British naval conflict since the first world war (1914-1918), most notably the Falklands Conflict in 1982 resulting in the loss of one RFA vessel the RFA Sir Galahad. In its modern role the RFA has been subject to some investment from the MOD, most recently has been the delivery of four Tide-Class tankers (Tidespring, Tideforce, Tiderace and Tidesurge). Currently the procurement process is in swing for two/three RFA solid support ships, with the purpose of supporting the two new Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and their respective task force vessels.
The above and very brief overview of the RFA is merely an introduction, all of the above and much more is easily found online on the Royal Navy website. I hope to offer more specialist entries in the future so please let me know what is of interest!

Yorkshire2018