RFA Sir Galahad
RFA Sir Galahad(L3005) This is the second RFA ship to have the name of Sir Galahad, after the loss of first RFA Sir Galahad in the Falklands War.
The First Sir Galahad was ordered in April of 1964 and laid down on the 22nd February 1965, and launched 19th of April 1966. The First RFA Sir Galahad was completed and placed in service on the 17th of December 1966.
...On the 8th of June 1982 RFA Sir Galahad was hit by 3 bombs .....
In November and December of 1970 RFA Sir Galahad was involved in Operation Burlap giving humanitarian assistance to East Pakistan after a cyclone caused extensive damage and flooding.
On the 6th of April 1982 Sir Galahad embarked 350 Royal Marines and sailed Devonport. The following day the amphibious landing force sailed south for the Falklands.
On the 24th of May 1982 RFA Sir Galahad was hit by a 1000lb bomb from an Argentine aircraft, the bomb failed to go off and causes reasonable damage to the tank deck and a small fire. The unexploded bomb was removed from the ship two days later.
On the 8th of June 1982 RFA Sir Galahad was hit by 3 bombs from Argentinian aircraft, while transporting 600 troops and equipment to Fitzroy Cove in the Falklands.
The loss of life was huge, five of her crew and 55 Welsh Guards were killed and many injured. RFA Sir Galahad was abandoned and the fires caused by the bombs raged for over a week. RFA Sir Galahad was later sunk as a War Grave in position 052.12.39S 056.45.21W on the 25th June 1982. The decision was made to replace Sir Galahad, so the new RFA Sir Galahad's keel was laid on the 12th July 1985 at Swan Hunter's yard at Wallsend, Tyne & Wear. She was launched on 13th December 1986 and completed on the 25th November 1987.
Since her launch RFA Sir Galahad has travelled to many parts of the world including Turkey, Scandinavia, Europe, Africa and the Gulf.
RFA Sir Galahad is unique in the RFA as she has earned TWO Wilkinson Sword's of Peace. Both were for supplying humanitarian aid the first was for Angola (Operation Chantris) in 1995 and the second was for Umm Qasr (Iraq) in 2003.
As a result of the Falklands the Sir Galahad has maintained a close liaison with the Welsh Guards and Wales through links such as the Welsh South Atlantic Medal Association and the Falklands Families Association. In the 1980's a fund was launched which led to the RNLI Sir Galahad being purchased for Tenby.
Used for rapid and secure movement of troops and equipment , fitted with bow Visor and forward and stern ramps RFA Sir Galahad is an integral part of the UK’s Amphibious Forces.
Fitted with a heavy lift scissor lift she is able to lower helicopters from her forward flight deck down to her tank deck.
RFA Sir Galahad is now awaiting disposal in Portsmouth.
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