British Wildcat and German warship's disaster skills tested as fictional hurricane batters UK

A German warship assisted by a Royal Navy Wildcat has been put through her paces in Plymouth as trainers tested her ability to respond to a major humanitarian disaster.

German navy frigate FGS Hessen took part in a disaster-relief exercise organised by Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST), designed to test whether the ship and her crew are ready to deploy on operations.

The exercise simulated the aftermath of a hurricane that had caused widespread devastation across the southwestern peninsula.

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Hessen’s ship’s company deployed to Bull Point village within HMNB Devonport, where sailors provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the stricken community.

Their priority was to save lives and reduce suffering by providing first aid and medical care, emergency shelter, food, clean water and sanitation.

The scenario tested the crew’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to the kind of humanitarian crisis naval forces can be called upon to support anywhere in the world.

FOST is the Royal Navy’s internationally recognised operational sea training organisation, responsible for preparing surface ships and submarines for frontline operations.

Its expertise extends well beyond the Royal Navy, with around a third of FOST training involving visiting foreign and Nato naval units.

Training covers everything from high-end warfighting and complex multi-threat scenarios to humanitarian disaster relief, non-combatant evacuation operations, salvage at sea, damage control and firefighting.

FGS Hessen has now left Plymouth following the successful exercise, but HMNB Devonport will soon welcome more Nato naval units for training.