Members of 3 Para training at Copehill Down on Salisbury plain
RFA Tidespring is a Tide-class replenishment tanker of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Ordered from DSME in 2012, the ship was accepted by the Ministry of Defence in 2017, approximately 18 months behind schedule. She arrived for final fitting out at A&P Falmouth, Cornwall on 31 March 2017, after a delivery voyage via Japan and Hawaii. On 10 May 2017, a crane collapsed beside the ship whilst she was in drydock at Falmouth. The vessel was not damaged in the incident. Tidespring sailed from Falmouth for final evaluation trials on 1 September 2017 which included her first visit to Gibraltar, first of class flying trials, and her first replenishment at sea (RAS) with RFA Wave Knight. On 16 November 2017, Tidespring entered Portsmouth for the first time to prepare for her dedication on 27 November. Tidespring's first scheduled replenishment at sea was planned to be with HMS Queen Elizabeth on 26 February 2018; although the full procedure had to be abandoned owing to bad weather, Tidespring and Queen Elizabeth were able to undertake a full simulation of the scenario. In April 2018, Tidesping undertook its first major operational tasking by participating in the bi-annual Exercise Joint Warrior of the coast of Scotland.
Size: 3711px × 4480px
Location: Copehill Down FIBUA village military training area, Fighting In Built Up Areas, Chitterne, Salisbury
Photo credit: © Troy GB images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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