For the first time in nearly 15 years, a Royal Navy fast jet squadron is operating from the flight deck of a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
The F-35B Lightning stealth fighters from 809 Naval Air Squadron have embarked on HMS Prince of Wales in the North Sea for a month of intensive training, supported by their counterparts from RAF Squadron 617, also known as The Dambusters.
Anyway, this training marks a significant milestone for both the squadron and the aircraft carrier as they prepare for an eight-month global deployment scheduled for 2025.
The fifth-generation F-35B jets flew from RAF Marham to the 65,000-tonne carrier where approximately 200 personnel, including engineers, technicians, armourers, logistics, and security experts, have joined the warship to support the aircraft operations.
Commander Nick Smith, Commanding Officer of 809 Naval Air Squadron, reflected on the importance of the squadron’s first deployment aboard HMS Prince of Wales, saying in a news release: “This is a big moment for 809 Naval Air Squadron, a vital building block to working up with the carrier strike group in preparation for the deployment next year.”
He added, “Joining a carrier for the first time is truly a milestone for us.”
809 Naval Air Squadron, which formed at the end of 2023, is part of the UK’s F-35B force, with personnel drawn equally from the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm. For many of the ground crew, this marks their first experience working at sea.
Commander Smith spoke of the importance of uniting the squadron into one cohesive team, adding: “For me, it’s about forging one team, embracing everything from operating from the flight deck to arming and maintaining the F-35s in the hangar.” The squadron is undergoing training to integrate fully with the ship’s routine and learn the specifics of carrier-based operations.
While the F-35B is a state-of-the-art aircraft, the challenges of operating it from an aircraft carrier remain significant. Lieutenant Commander Armstrong, one of the pilots, explained in the same release: “It’s a common misconception that everything on an F-35 is automated. Landing is easier, but not easy. Imagine approaching, in the dark, 105ft above the ship, then moving across to set down on the deck.” Extensive simulator training was conducted before landing the jets on the 920ft-long flight deck for the first time.
Alongside the pilots, ground crews are adapting to the unique demands of operating at sea. One of them, Sergeant ‘Thorpy’ Thorpe from the RAF, has spent four years working with the Royal Navy on the F-35 programme, but this is his first experience at sea. He remarked in the release: “I’ve worked alongside the Navy for four years now, and while there are slightly different skills and trades, at the end of the day, we’re all working to the same high, professional standard.”
Over the coming weeks, 809 Squadron will conduct intensive training to qualify its pilots for carrier operations, while ground personnel will grow accustomed to the challenges of maintaining aircraft in the more confined and turbulent conditions at sea. Commander
Smith explained the challenges: “The fundamentals of operating F-35B at sea, compared to land – whether you are a pilot or an engineer – are broadly the same. It’s just that everything is much more challenging on a ship. It’s noisier, windier, and much darker at night, while space is far more confined in every sense.”
Following this phase, HMS Prince of Wales will form a carrier strike group with escorts and support ships for a two-week exercise called Strike Warrior, focused in the North Sea. The exercise is designed to further enhance the operational capabilities of the ship and its air wing in preparation for the full deployment next year.
This deployment marks a key moment in the Royal Navy’s efforts to re-establish its carrier strike capabilities.
Just a note for those unfamiliar with this topic: British F-35B jets have been operating from the Queen Elizabeth class for many years now. This was mostly with the RAF badged 617 Squadron. It’s important to note that these squadrons are jointly manned by the RAF and Fleet Air Arm.
If the upcoming review is going to do something idiotic, like cap the F35 purchase to 48. Then all the jets should be in the Fleet Air Arm.
48 F35 would indeed be idiotic. All FAA would be extremely difficult given the manpower and budgetary constraints within the RN. Without a major uplift in people/cash something else would need to be cut to have even half a chance of sustaining a purely naval fast-jet fleet now.
The RAF would have to take the hit. I agree would be idiotic, but the current government has now indicated cuts are on the horizon. It’s beyond comprehension that cuts could even be considered. Shows the level of strategic thinking in power at the moment.
To be fair they have indicated a review. The doom and gloom merchants have added the rest. Frankly as long as all the jets are capable of operating from carriers in addition normal bases what does it matter if the are FAA or RAF.
So you honestly think labour are going to increase defence spending?
I don’t think I said that. I think that Labour will instinctively want to throw money at the NHS and other areas they campaigned on however they also know defence is a major issue and the US etc. want us to commit more to military spending, and support for Ukraine. Cutting things like T26 or T31 would be a waste of space because it would be a future Government in the 2030s that would be paying for it. Indeed it might be seen as a method of ‘Levelling up’ if new defence industries were introduced to certain areas of the… Read more »
My take; I don’t think the govt will throwing much money around except limited, very targeted amounts at key constraints. NHS scanners would be an example. F-35 numbers could be paused at the minimum number needed to ensure one carrier always available but I think this would be temporary and we will keep the carriers. MRSS may be rethought but all RN shipbuilding will continue – potential exports. RBSL
Sheffield Forgemasters, BAE, Babcock, Thales will all be good investments. Does 24 Typhoons create more jobs and UK economic growth than 24 F-35s?
Probably not given the state of the public coffers, but the last Labour government actually ordered twice as many aircraft carriers, destroyers, etc than we got. The Tories cancelled that and other procurement to fund tax cuts and credits for the rich. The only reason we have 2 aircraft carriers is it was too late for the Tories to cancel the second without paying for it anyway so… I actually trust them more when it comes to defence than the other side.
You appear to be in a different spare from me my friend. Q.E was laid down in 2009..Labour; P.O.W. 2011..Tories. The original requirement for the T45 was for 12 ships, cut to 8..Labour by, then to 6 by Labour. All ordered after 2010 by the Tories; T31’s were authorised by the 2010 DSR by the Tories. On the question of public finances it might interest you to know that Reeves is complaining about a budget shortfall of £22 billion. When Labour left office in 2010 the shortfall was £104 billion, nearly five times as much. If you trust labour on… Read more »
The review has specifically asked for views on programmes to cut- but that is in the context of identifying programmes that aren’t likely to contribute effectively to future capabilities, particularly in light of lessons learned from the fighting in Ukraine, and the fact that we have spent the last 30 years assuming no need to operate in a seriously contested environment.
Yes. The big thing happening in Ukraine is the use of drones etc. Exactly the sort of low cost industry the UK could invest in which brought money to areas of the UK economy which needed it and would significantly improve our armed forces. Not sure there are going to be many areas which would create savings from the defence budget but there are savings to be made in Labour areas by putting people back to work.
Agree entirely. Who the hell cares whether its RN or RAF as long as they are operated effectively in the national interest’.
There is no thinking by those in power.
They have to make cuts to make up their clothing shortfalls, EVERY single one is a free loading…………………….
To be fair Steve the clothing, as I understand it, was given by Labour donors it never came from the public purse. Which to be honest is an embarrasment to Kier as you would expect him to be able to afford his own clothing.
Alway thought this sort of thing was nonsense, like the wallpaper fiasco at number 10. The place belongs to the country who should decorate it properly every 5 years or so. 😂
Taking a hit that leaves them with just 107 Typhoon’s. Can’t see it!
It doesn’t have to be. The F35 A is 20/25 percent cheaper than the B version and would be welcomed by the RAF, I’m sure. The “B” would then be sufficient for the R.N.
2 fleets with similar but different training and support pipelines. That went really well with the Harrier/Sea Harrier split!
An F-35B can land conventionally on a normal runway. So use B version as OCU trainers.
Or maybe just 74 F35B as currently planned and then all energies and funds put into Tempest.
Is there any info on how the Italians are getting on? They have a 75 A / 20 B order split (With something like 25 / 4 delivered). Their As are being built in Italy as well which makes them even cheaper. If we planned to order a further 48Bs, theoretically we could get 60-62As. Well worth having those extra planes.
I think that the NMH is the most likely cut, I am unconvinced there is an actual requirement: would be bad new for Yeovil, but I don’t think that constuency has ever voted labour!
Even the Italians have destiny mailtray thinking 🤔
Not this old chestnut again. Give it a rest.
Yep. Same old concern about getting the best for our armed forces. Boring to you, important to me.😉
Hi Geoffrey. Ideally, with a much greater defence budget. But not at our current level. One – Two small fleets is not great and undermines the QEC even more than they are already. Two – If we are getting F35A as well as the second batch of F35B that means defo no Tempest. Three – The RN does not have the budget or the people to add 2 or 3 all FAA RNAS to its ORBAT. This way, with the aircraft being ( I believe ) RAF owned, as well as jointly staffed, there is some flexibility. The issue is,… Read more »
I am sure the US has spare F-35A which it could lease a squadron of F-35A to the RAF until Tempest come along?
Why does everyone always forget that we cannot refuel the F-35A so in real terms our F-35Bs actually have the ability to go further. Fix that problem first with all the extra expense that comes with it and then we can talk about buying the F-35A. Fixing the issue will also solve the problem of being able to refuel the E-7s and P-8s too.
Alternatively have them build an F-35D, an F-35A body with an F-35C cockpit section.
Think it could make sense 👍
In commercial enterprises, such a transfer (from RAF to FAA( would also transfer the funding used for support and the funding earmarked for further purchases.
Yep unless more money is found then Manpower and Equipment issues will never go way ,we’ll just keep going in bloody circles 🙄
If it is limited to 48 over the lifespan of F35 it will be a huge waste of investment to start with, the Americans will be particularly annoyed (it may even breach the contracts for the production aspects of F35 that we have) and if it does happen scrap Block 4 integration and sell the carriers, is no point having them.
Use the existing jets for UK protection and QRA.
We definately should not even be dreaming any of this. It is nonsense
If one needs to find money – and most programs are way over budget, described for a long time by the NAO as “unaffordable” – then the cuts will most logically fall on programs where the internal political impact will be minimal. That could mean mothballing/trying to sell one of the carriers – no jobs lost – and capping the F-35 orders at 48 or perhaps 60.
One hundred per cent accuarate and sensible, which is why it won’t happen.😏
How about waiting for the review to happen rather than just making things up and then slamming labour for something that is literally just in your head?
John Healey has said painful decisions will have to be made. How is that making something up?
Wonderful to see.
Agreed.
Probably a silly question but is there plenty of room for new infrastructure for the extra 26 F35 ‘s at RAF Marham if they’re not canceled? I presume there must be?
Yes, plenty of room.
Thought there must be, just wondered if any might have been based anywhere else which would be very costly. Cheers Grinch!
RAF Marham in recent memory had 4 Tornado GR4 Squadrons.
Ah plenty of room then 👍
By the by, 617 Squadron is now under the command of a Lt Col. Mike Carty.
Yup, a Colonel – he is a Royal Marine fast jet pilot. I knew we had marine helicopter pilots but this is the first Royal Marin fast jet pilot I am aware of. Must be other I guess.
Anyway, congrats to Lt. Col. Carty.
Cheers CR
+ 1
If we had not lost the Harrier 2 force back in 2011 then the Royal Navy would not have had to spend time and money regenerating capabilities
My memory might be getting old but which carrier would they have been operating off to keep the capabilities?
Illustrious was the last decommissioned.
Much of it was already gone by that time, cut by the previous government, along with the Sea Harriers.
A small operational fleet is an easy cut to make.
The Harrier 2 GR.7 and GR.9 could and should have been retained and used to get Queen Elizabeth into service earlier as the Harrier 2 can fit on a QE carrier
The Harrier 2 was not specifically a Sea Harrier, it was really for a ground attack/CAS role based on a GR version of Harrier. So may have lacked air combat capabilities?
What, nobody asked how many aircraft??
I would love to know where the escorts and RFA support ships are coming from
Just 4 F-35B’s embarked and many of the squadron personnel are RAF and/or loaned from 617 Sqd RAF. I’m not sure that is really a “Royal Navy fast jet squadron”.