The F-35B Lightning jets have touched down aboard the Royal Navy carrier HMS Prince of Wales, all set for a huge NATO exercise.
These stealthy fighter planes from the iconic 617 “Dambusters” Squadron, are aboard the gigantic warship as it weaves its way through the North Sea.
The ship last hosted these jets during an eastern US visit last autumn.
The HMS Prince of Wales had to make a swift departure from Portsmouth recently, covering for its sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was struck by starboard propeller issues at the eleventh hour. The mighty HMS Prince of Wales will front a UK Carrier Strike Group in this military exercise.
Supporting the carrier and its jets will be Royal Navy escort ships, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s vessels, alongside 11 helicopters, plus frigate HMS Portland and tanker RFA Tidesurge.
A naval spokesperson stated: “It will lead an international taskforce taking part in Steadfast Defender an exercise across multiple regions and domains from land and sea to air and space.
“Spanning several months and thousands of kilometres, it will see tens of thousands of personnel work together to showcase Nato’s ability to deter enemies and defend allied territory.”
Captain Colin McGannity, who is in charge of the Carrier Air Wing and Strike Warfare, said: “It is always an exciting moment when F-35B Lightning join the Carrier Strike Group at sea.”
He also mentioned the tough conditions they’ll face: “It’s winter in the north Atlantic and we will face harsh weather and freezing conditions, but we are well prepared and looking forward to demonstrating our readiness to fight, whenever and wherever we get the call.”
