The Unit deployed in its entirety in January 2003, initially part of the Naval Task Group (NTG) 03 in HMS "Ocean", HMS "Ark Royal" and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships "RFA Sir Galahad" and "RFA Sir Tristram". The group sailed through the Mediterranean Sea, after a brief stop at Cyprus, continuing through the Suez Canal bound for the Persian Gulf. The United Nations were engaged in diplomatic efforts to avoid the need for military intervention in Iraq, as the Unit was busy rehearsing in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait for possible operations against Iraq.