INSIDE THE CSG EXPERIENCE: A CONVERSATION WITH ANDY HODGE

The HMS Queen Elizabeth – the crown jewel in the UK’s Carrier Strike Group – has officially embarked on its mission. Just prior to its departure from Portsmouth, we had the opportunity to connect with Thales Field Service Representative, Andy Hodge, who specializes in the Crowsnest AW Radar. How did he find himself aboard the Royal Navy’s flagship? What does his daily routine entail? And what will he miss the most while at sea?

Our Thales personnel and capabilities are crucial for the success of the Carrier Strike Group 21 [CSG21] deployment. Our innovative technology is integrated into many platforms that comprise the Carrier Strike Group, ranging from submarines to surface vessels, to helicopters and the aircraft carrier itself.

Andy, how would you describe your experience as part of the Carrier Strike Group and aboard the QEC?

I feel a similar sense of duty aboard the QEC as I did while serving Queen and Country in my Navy career. I often say, if you were to slice me in half, one part is Royal Navy and the other is Thales, making me feel truly esteemed and proud to represent the company. Everyone on board – and their families, I must mention – has made significant sacrifices to be here. Understanding how diligently the Thales team has worked to bring the aircraft on board, along with myself, is incredibly humbling. It’s a tremendous honor.

Could you share a bit about yourself? How has your journey with Thales brought you to this moment?

I enlisted in the Royal Navy at 16 and dedicated 24 years to the Fleet Air Arm. I was deployed to the Falklands at the young age of 19 and witnessed firsthand the dire consequences of lacking an Airborne early-warning (AEW) radar system. Later, when I first encountered the helicopter-mounted AEW radar, I exclaimed, “I want to be part of that.” And four years down the line, I was.

After departing the Royal Navy in 2002, Thales reached out to me to join the development of the new AEW radar helicopter called the Sea King Mk7 ASaC (airborne surveillance and control) radar. This led to several other endeavors, including managing the ASaC simulator and currently serving as a Field Service Representative (FSR) supporting Thales’ Crowsnest radars on the Merlin helicopters stationed aboard the QEC.

What does a typical day entail for you on board?

It may sound like a cliché, but no two days are exactly alike. Despite having spent three and a half weeks conducting exercises in the northern regions of Scotland, I’ve managed to establish a certain routine. I wake up at 05:45 to complete a 30-minute physical training circuit from 06:15-06:45, getting my cardiovascular system active and heart rate elevated. Following that, it’s a shower, change of clothes, and breakfast at 07:00, with work commencing at 07:30. Much of the equipment is new to the engineering team that supports the aircrew, presenting numerous tools and processes to tackle.

I take a lunch break at 12:30 (the food is quite delicious, by the way), and then it’s more of the same in the afternoon—preparing for missions, briefing the aircrews, and resolving any complications. Dinner takes place at 18:30 for an hour, followed by more briefings or debriefings with the crews. On most days, I wrap up around 22:00, though I expect to complete my tasks a bit earlier as we integrate the systems and protocols. And that’s seven days per week because, like all military branches, the Navy remains operational around the clock. It’s a 24/7 environment.

After such a lengthy day, how do you relax?

It can be challenging to unwind on a ship. You can’t easily transition from work-mode to home-mode, and if there’s an issue still pending at work, it’s hard for me to turn off my mind. However, I usually enjoy listening to music, watching a movie on my iPad, reading a book (currently enjoying “Man Up,” gifted by my daughter), or tackling some puzzles. If time permits, I might also attend a spin class to squeeze in more exercise. It’s about finding activities that distract me from work for a while, but true relaxation is elusive. Nobody really can disconnect fully because we all depend on each other to perform our duties.

What personal belongings are you bringing with you, and what will you miss the most?

I’ve packed a few framed photographs of my grandchildren. Space on board is quite limited, so I can’t bring much. I will undeniably miss my family, and based on past deployments, I’ll yearn for the little things—like walking my dogs or enjoying coastal strolls. Living in a fishing village in Cornwall, I cherish those moments. When the aircraft are airborne throughout the day, it limits outdoor time, so when they do allow access to the flight deck, there’s a rush to don sports gear and get outside for exercise amidst that refreshing sea air.

As a Crowsnest expert, what thrills you most about your field, and what challenges do you face?

I’m incredibly excited to collaborate closely with the American and British F-35B Lightning jets. It’s a demanding role, given that it’s an evolving system on a cutting-edge platform, which is one of the most advanced aircraft carriers globally. It doesn’t get much more exhilarating than this.

During exercises, we need to go communications silent, requiring us to operate independently without the assistance or backup from others. This situation pushes you to adapt swiftly and think creatively to resolve issues. It can be quite demanding, but it’s also very gratifying when the solution you devise proves successful. Additionally, we maintain a high sortie generation-rate, meaning aircraft must be quickly turned around and ready for flight, creating constant time constraints.