Specials

Special Submarine Rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 1996

Most info from APIC 1996.

 

Several participants of Sorbet Royal 96. From left to right: USS Sand Lance SSN 660 carrying the DSRV-2 Avalon, the Dutch Walrus (2), the Swedish HMS Gotland and a French Agosta class sub (Photo: © Shane Swenson, collection James Henson).

 

SORBET ROYAL 96

Exercise SORBET ROYAL 96 is a NATO submarine rescue exercise scheduled to run from June 4 to 14 1996 in Vestfjorden, Norway.

The land transport vehicle with DSRV-2 Avalon backs out of the C-5 Galaxy at Evenes Air Station (Photo: © APIC).

It is the third exercise of this type. The first SORBET ROYAL, in 1986, took place off Stavanger, Norway, and the second, in 1992, in the Mediterranean.
The exercise is a NATO exercise. Observers from PfP nations have been invited to take part. Sweden, which has signed a bilateral rescue agreement with Norway , will be participating as a PfP nation.

Transfer. H.R.H. Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange is helped on board the submarine Walrus (2), during his visit to the exercise Sorbet Royal 96 in Vestfjorden (Photo: © APIC).

The aim of conducting a submarine and rescue operation in Vestfjorden is to demonstrate the capability of NATO forces to act together in a rescue operation to save the crew of a disabled submarine.

SUBMARINES

Five submarines will be participating: from Norway, one modified Kobben-class and one Ula-class submarine; from France one Agosta-class submarine, from the Netherlands one Walrus (2)-class submarine, and from Sweden their latest addition to - the Gotland-class.

The Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange, (in the middle), being wished welcome on board the Dutch submarine Walrus (2) by the submarine commander, Ltz. I  Jeroen Van Zaalen (Photo: © APIC).

June 8th. 1996 - BASIC TRAINING

The participating units have arrived in the exercise area which includes Vestfjorden from Værøy all the way to the Ofotfjord.

On the bridge: The Dutch crown prince on the bridge on board Walrus (2), together with the submarine commander, Ltz. I  Jeroen van Zaalen (Photo: © APIC).

Today's operations have been dedicated to basic training in submerged rescue operations. All the submarines are located in the area between Nusfjord and Henningsvær.

9. June 1996 - ADVANCED TRAINING STARTS

Today the units are to start advanced training in Vestfjorden, in part based on the experiences made during basic training.

On the bridge. H.R.H Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange, tests the periscope on the bridge of the Dutch submarine Walrus (2) (Photo: © APIC).

HNLMS Walrus (2) is to train with the British LR 5 system.

10. June 1996 - MEDIA DAY

Today is Media Day, with great activity both on the Press front and in Vestfjorden. HNLMS Walrus (2) is to prepare for further training. The vessels and rescue systems will continue changing partners in the coming days.

Fascinated: The Crown Prince was shown around the entire submarine, but was particularly fascinated by the control panels in the operations room (Photo: © APIC).

The Dutch crown prince, H.R.H. Willem - Alexander, Prins van Oranje is also coming to Norway in connection with the exercise. He will arrive today at 13.00 and will be received by Admiral Ove Sten Olsen, and will visit the exercise tomorrow.

11. June 1996 - THE EXERCISE CONTINUES

Today the exercise is continuing with a reduced media-presence, but is just as valuable for the participants. HNLMS Walrus (2) is today to exercise with Belos/URF. The ships and rescue systems will continue to change partners in the next few days.

The Dutch on board Walrus (2) trained rescue with the Swedish rescue vessel URF during the Crown Prince's visit to the submarine, and the Prince was of course invited on board the rescue vessel (Photo: © APIC).

The Dutch Crown Prince, H.R.H. Willem - Alexander, Prince of Orange will today visit the exercise.

12. June 1996 - THE EXERCISE CONTINUES

Today the exercise is continuing with advanced training for the participants. HNLMS Walrus (2) is today to exercise with Sand Lance/DSRV.

After completing mating with the "bottomed" Dutch submarine Walrus (2), the hatches between the vessels are opened. The crew of the British rescue vessel LR5 meet the submarine crew (Photo: © APIC).

The ships and rescue systems will wind down the exercise tomorrow afternoon.

In March 2000 James Henson (Crew member of DSRV-2 Avalon) wrote: " . . .we did indeed "mate" to the Walrus and some of its crew got a brief ride in the DSRV and were able to see their submarine from the outside as it rested in the bottom playing dead. . ."

 

This photo, signed by Walrus's CO Jeroen van Zaalen, was given to one of the DSRV-2 Avalon crew members as a Sorbet Royal 96 souvenir  (Photo: © Collection James Henson).

 

 

 

Submarine Escape related pages

Navy Seal exit and re-entry on board Tijgerhaai (2)

Navy Seal exit and re-entry on board Dolfijn (4)

Submarine Rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 1996

Submarine Escape Training

Related books

	Home	Classes	Boats	Tenders	News	Export
	R&D	Men	Books	Pictures	Links
	Models	M-media	Specials	Forum	Search	Help US !
	Copyright © 1997-2006 - Design and content DutchSubmarines.com