Navy chaplain's parish doubles overnight

Reverend James Tabor RN is chaplain to the Royal Navy's flagship, HMS Illustrious, the nation's strike aircraft carrier.

Overnight the 500 or so ship's company almost doubled to 970 as Naval Strike Wing, 814 and 854 Squadrons, and 212 Flight (Endurance) embarked for Exercise Joint Warrior.

'The Bish', as Reverend Tabor is known, has been kept busy whilst at sea in defence watches:

"Life goes on," he said. "Like any small village, we have church on Sunday, prayers in the church each day, and bible study once a week.

"Days are spent walking the 'patch' and occasionally lending a hand. The sick get a visit in sick bay, and the regulators are on the regular circuit. A real treat is an invitation to a mess deck and a chance to have a cup of tea and a chat, just like a parish on land."

From time to time 'The Bish' finds himself in strange places:

"The chaplain visits everyone, wherever they are. If the aircraft handlers are working 24/7, then I visit the flight deck. It's like a small airfield and it's very busy.

"Quick conversations are a bonus; usually it's a smile as the engine noise is incredible. Standing ten feet [three metres] from the runway as a Harrier takes off is no place for an effective pastoral interview!"

Very often though, that's the very time people need to talk. The hectic pace of a warship operating close to maximum capacity means that everyone aboard works their watch, eats and goes back to bed.

The chaplain needs to be available where people work so that there is the chance to talk over issues as they crop up. Reverend Tabor added:

"Everyone is upbeat; we are all doing what we joined up to do. We are flying day and night. The pace is hectic. The pressure is on. It's great!"

Exercise Joint Warrior, one of the largest military exercises in Europe, took place over three weeks in October off the coast of West Scotland.

Ships, submarines, aircraft and troops from a variety of nations gathered for the exercise to train together and test their capabilities. Countries taking part included the United States, Canada, Denmark, France, Turkey, Brazil, Germany, Belgium and Norway.

As well as giving the participants an opportunity to practise with other nations, Joint Warrior is also used as a qualifying course, which crews are required to pass before they can move on to real world operations such as supporting troops in Afghanistan.

The scenario for the exercise saw three sovereign nations quarrelling over disputed territory, the involvement of state-sponsored terrorism, a period of built-up tension, and then simulated war-fighting and open hostilities.

HMS Illustrious was the biggest ship taking part.