The crew of the aircraft carrier Ark Royal have begun their voyage to the Gulf as part of the biggest British naval deployment for two decades.
The 20,000-ton flagship began leaving Portsmouth at 1230 GMT with a total crew on board of 1,100.
Officially the crew are heading for Malaysia to take part in joint exercises in June, in a voyage which will last at least six months.
But they could be used in any action against Iraq "if and as required", the government has said.
to the Brits