Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, recently visited HMS Prince of Wales during its participation in Exercise Strike Warrior, held off the coast of the United Kingdom.
Arriving by Royal Navy Mk4 Merlin helicopter, Air Vice-Marshal Marshall witnessed the launch of an F-35B Lightning and toured key areas of the carrier, according to a news release here.
Exercise Strike Warrior is a pivotal test of the Carrier Strike Group’s readiness and effectiveness in various complex combat scenarios. F-35B Lightnings from 617 Squadron, alongside 809 Naval Air Squadron, played a central role in the exercise, supporting the Royal Navy’s maritime operations.
In addition, Typhoon aircraft from IX(B) and 1(F) Squadrons at RAF Lossiemouth contributed to the operations.
Typhoon and F-35B Lightning aircraft together form the backbone of the UK’s Combat Air capabilities, offering a complementary and powerful force mix. This combination is vital for ensuring operational persistence, a wide range of sensors, and an array of weapons, which are essential in addressing advancing threats.
The F-35B’s 5th generation swing-role capabilities allow it to perform multiple mission types at once, equipped with stealth technology that provides a significant tactical advantage by evading hostile radar detection.
F-35B Lightnings are held at high readiness, capable of deploying in support of UK and NATO operations worldwide from both land and sea, further demonstrating the UK’s commitment to maintaining global security.
Key areas, hmm?
I wonder why this sort of thing isn’t routine? Line the island with brass every exercise?
Air Vice Marshal Marshall. She’s so good they named her twice!