9/11: Massive U.K. Task Force sailed for Persian Gulf exercises week before WTC attack

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 10:01:23 GMT

The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, with Fleet Air Arm Sea Harriers and RAF Harriers embarked, led to sea on 3 September a task group to join Argonaut 01, the Royal Navy's largest deployment since the Falklands. Meanwhile, the final preparations were being made in Oman for the start of Saif Sareea II, a major UK-Omani exercise which starts on 15 September.