At the end of September 2003 HMS Invincible assumed the duties of the high-readiness Fleet Flagship, ready to assist in operations anywhere in the world.

As the Royal Navy’s ‘R2 CVS’ carrier, the ship will be at five days notice to move, and will be amongst the first to be called upon should a requirement develop for a carrier to be deployed to support operations abroad.

The warship has just finished a demanding nine-month trials and training period, including a gruelling Basic Operational Sea Training (BOST) package, and the Operational Readiness Inspection.

This was the first time the Maritime Battle Staff, including COMUKMARFOR, Rear Admiral David Snelson, had embarked, and was an opportunity for the ship to prove her capability in all her spheres of operation.

This long period of training culminated in Exercise Northern Light 03, a NATO exercise involving land and air forces as well as 50 ships from 15 different countries.

This was a demanding and exciting experience, giving everyone a valuable insight into working in multinational environment.

While en route back from Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Invincible visited Santa Cruz for a short stand-off – her first foreign run ashore of this commission.

She returns to commence an intensive period of integration training with ground-attack GR7 Harriers of the Royal Air Force.

The ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Trevor Soar, said: “After nine months hard work, I and my ship’s company are extremely proud to be assuming the duties of Fleet Flagship.

“HMS Invincible stands ready to be a force for good anywhere in the world.”

Capt Soar had the chance to take an overview of his command when he was taken for a flight in a two-seater Harrier T8 trainer. Capt Soar, a submariner, said: ‘“Having spent half my career projecting power from beneath the waves, it was great to have experienced a flavour of air power projection above the waves from the deck of a capital ship.”