HMS Monmouth visits USS John C Stennis

While the Royal Navy awaits delivery of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, members of HMS Monmouth were given a chance to experience life onboard the American Nimitz Class aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis in the Gulf.

The RN party were shown the extensive capabilities of the huge nuclear-powered carrier, including watching several fixed-wing aircraft launches from Stennis’s vast flight deck.

“I was amazed at the size and complexity of the Stennis, and am looking forward to the delivery of the Queen Elizabeth Carriers; if they are anywhere near as capable as the Stennis we will have quite a formidable ship to operate,”

said the Black Duke’s Medical Officer Surg Lt Steve Woolley RN, 27 from Plymouth.

“We were very well looked after by our American counterparts and it was a great day for all lucky enough to get across.”

Fifteen members of the USS John C Stennis also visited HMS Monmouth for a taste of life in the RN. They were treated to an extensive tour of the Type 23 frigate and enjoyed the full range of hospitality onboard.