Images Dated 28th November 2005

HMS Exeter is shown in the foreground with HMS Illustrious, taking part in Exercise Neptune Warrior

HMS Exeter is shown in the foreground with HMS Illustrious, taking part in Exercise Neptune Warrior.
Having spent two years embarking periodically in HMS Invincible as the High-Readiness Aircraft Carrier, 801 NAS had just returned from 6 weeks training with HMS Illustrious, in order to assist in her preparations for the role. Embarking for the second and third phases of her Operational Sea Training (OST) package, together with 849 Squadron A Flight Sea King Mk 7s and a Sea King Mk 6 of 771 Squadron, 801's Sea Harrier FA2s tailored their flying to provide progressive training for all of HMS Illustrious newly formed crew.
After two weeks of combined Fixed and Rotary Wing flying operations, HMS Illustrious next embarked the RAF Harrier GR7's of 1(F) Squadron, who soon adjusted to the unique demands of operating from an Aircraft Carrier at sea. It was at this point, after three intensive weeks that HMS Illustrious and her Tailored Air Group (TAG) were assessed to be fit to continue into Phase 3 of OST, where a highflying rate would be integrated into a tactical scenario.
Following a brief port visit to Newcastle, in order to refresh all embarked personnel and conduct essential maintenance, HMS Illustrious sailed with her full complement of TAG for Exercise Neptune Warrior. This Exercise had an extremely large number of multinational participants, ranging from HMAS Anzac (an Australian Frigate), to a Dutch Submarine, and was conducted in the challenging waters of the North-West Scottish coast. Neptune Warrior pitted two large Naval Task Groups against each other in a complex Political scenario, and enabled the TAG to operate in a Maritime Strike role, focussing on the GR7s Strike capability

© Crown Copyright

Lord Viscount Duncans Victory.(Admiral De Winter Resigning His Sword On Board The Venerable

Lord Viscount Duncan's Victory.(Admiral De Winter Resigning His Sword On Board The Venerable, October 11, 1797) Engraved By H. Lemon Painted By W. Orme.From England's Battles By Sea And Land By Lieut Col Williams, The London Printing And Publishing Company Circa 1890S

© Design Pics / Ken Welsh

Fireworm bristles, SEM

Fireworm bristles. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fireworm's bristles (setae). Fireworms (family Amphinomidae) are polychaete (meaning many-bristled) worms. They are also named bristleworms, and are usually found in the sea. The setae are found at the end of the protrusions (parapodia) that line the body of the worm. The parapodia are used as paddles to swim in water, and also act as the worm's gills. The setae are made of the hard substance chitin, which also makes up the exoskeleton of insects. It is these setae that can penetrate human skin when touched, causing intense irritation

© SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY