Status

20 June 05

Day 2 serials completed safely and satisfactorily without incident.

21 June 05

Day 2 serials completed safely and satisfactorily without incident.

22 June 05

Day 3 serials completed safely and satisfactorily without incident.

Media day was conducted extremely successfully with 45 personnel being transferred between 4 ships. 103 personnel were also transferred from the ITS SAN GIUSTO to participating ships on multiple, staggered or coordinated LCU's and RIB's. The press recieved a broad education and exposure to multiple systems and expressed both enthusiasm and appreciation fror the oppurtunity to see so many different systems operated by knowledgable and motivated sailors.

23 June 05

Day 4 serials completed safely and satisfactorily without incident.

With the first week drawing to a close it is plain to see that the exercise has so far been a huge success. The planning and execution of a myriad of complex personnel transfers has been outstanding. Over 100 personnel are transferred each day and everyone is getting to the right place at the right time. Despite cultural and language differences the coordination of multiple assets has been responsive, fast and accurate. The superb technical skill of all involved has been second to none as well as the absolute willingness to work together to share and expand the collective knowledge and expertise.

24 June 05

At the close of the first week we can see that a challenging and complex set of serials have been completed with a perfect safety record. Throughout the week the edges of both art and science of the craft used in the exercise have been pushed to the limit. The countries in attendance have come together in cooperation and mutual support. Most importantly 22 senior officers and 45 members of the press have observed the operations of Sorbet Royal 2005 from sky, surface and subsurface. Next week however an aggressive and ambitious program has been scheduled.

25 & 26 June 05

Public Open Days Cancelled.

27 June 05

Day 6 serials completed safely, satisfactorily, and without incident.

Week 2 is off to a fine start.  Several new observers arrived and a few departed.  Fox news visited GRASP/SRC and FENNICA/LR5 and were very pleased with the access, video and interviews obtained.