October 25th 2024.
The next event on the horizon is a significant one for the United Kingdom. In a display of strength and cooperation, their largest warship, the HMS Prince of Wales, has been dispatched to the North Sea with a fleet of F-35B Lightning stealth fighters for a series of wargames. The Ministry of Defence shared footage of this impressive sight, as the HMS Prince of Wales joined forces with the USS Harry S Truman, one of the most powerful ships in European waters.
This joint effort, known as Exercise Strike Warrior, is a shining example of the unified maritime capabilities of the UK and the US as part of NATO. A special guest, US Commander Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, had the opportunity to witness the F-35B Lightning stealth fighters launch from the flight deck of the HMS Prince of Wales, and then fly alongside the Truman's F/A-18 Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growler in a spectacular flypast.
This exercise serves as a reminder of the alliance's preparedness to respond to any potential threats in and around European waters, and beyond. Captain John Cromie, deputy commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, praised the intensity and effectiveness of the training, which covered a range of scenarios from small emergencies to complex long-range missions involving the F-35B jets.
The UK Carrier Strike Group, comprised of the HMS Prince of Wales, its air wing, escorts, supporting vessels, and nearly 2,000 personnel, was fully immersed in this training exercise. Not only did it showcase NATO's joint maritime capabilities, but it also marked a crucial step in their preparations for a global deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
As part of the exercise, the UK's 809 Naval Air Squadron has been operating from the HMS Prince of Wales, honing their skills for potential strike missions. This included live ordnance drops on the Cape Wrath range in Scotland. Along with the Royal Navy, the British Army, Royal Air Force, and NATO allies such as Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal, all played a vital role in this multi-faceted exercise.
RAF Poseidon P8 maritime patrol aircraft provided support for anti-submarine operations, while NATO aircraft defended against simulated aerial threats. The air defense of the strike group was expertly led by HMS Dauntless, a destroyer based in Portsmouth. Her commanding officer, Ben Dorrington, praised his team's ability to handle a wide range of threats, including enemy air sorties and anti-ship cruise missiles.
809 Naval Air Squadron's commanding officer, Nick Smith, expressed his satisfaction with the exercise, calling it a "phenomenal success." He added that it laid a solid foundation for the F-35s to rejoin the task group in 2025 for their first deployment. Smith also highlighted the impressive progress made by the training teams, with 19 pilots completing carrier qualifications within the first weeks of the deployment, and the successful integration of various teams beyond the ship.
The culmination of this exercise was the release of live weapons on targets at Cape Wrath, a testament to the seamless collaboration between the ship's company, 809 Naval Air Squadron, and 617 Squadron engineers and pilots, all under the control of Royal Marine Commandos on the ground. With this level of coordination and readiness, the UK and its allies have demonstrated their formidable maritime capabilities and their commitment to ensuring security and stability in the region.
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