A UK F-35B Lightning II from 617 Squadron and a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet were photographed flying in close formation over HMS Prince of Wales, during trilateral carrier strike operations with Japan.
The event formed part of Operation HIGHMAST, the Royal Navy’s flagship deployment for 2025.
The image captured the two jets flying in tight formation over the Royal Navy’s largest warship, as all three participating nations conducted a multi-carrier exercise focused on airpower integration and maritime strike.
The striking image was captured by the excellent AS1 Amber Mayall and is Crown copyright, for those wondering.
The joint drills underscored the growing strategic and operational alignment between the UK, US, and Japan across the Indo-Pacific.
Operation HIGHMAST is the Royal Navy’s primary Carrier Strike Group deployment this year. Led by HMS Prince of Wales, the eight-month mission will see UK forces operate alongside more than a dozen allied and partner navies. The group will transit through the Mediterranean and Middle East before reaching the western Pacific for a series of high-intensity multinational exercises.
According to a Ministry of Defence update, the next phase of Operation HIGHMAST will focus on integrated air operations in the Indo-Pacific, with British and Japanese forces preparing for combined F-35B activities at sea.
Both nations operate the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. While the UK has fielded the jet operationally since 2018, Japan is still in the early stages of integrating the platform into its maritime forces.
This week’s operations will see F-35B aircraft and crews from both countries flying from their respective ships and conducting joint air missions at sea, intended to build interoperability and lay the foundation for deeper cooperation.
The joint phase will last a week, after which the UK task group will split. Elements of the force will continue to South Korea, while HMS Prince of Wales and her escorts are expected to proceed to Japan.
Night Ops on HMS Prince of Wales captured in stunning images
UK–Japan air-sea integration has steadily advanced. In 2024, Royal Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Baker landed a British F-35B on a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel for the first time, as part of a test campaign with the U.S. Patuxent River Integrated Test Force.
Japan has recently modified its Izumo-class helicopter destroyers to operate the F-35B, reinforcing flight decks and upgrading internal systems to accommodate vertical landings and support operations.
Fantastic picture of two fantastic aircraft. Amber Mayall, you done good girl.
Anyone remember the A5 Vigilanti ? apparently during it’s design and testing period late 50’s early 60’s, it was shown to be stealthy and enhanced to suit.
As with most aircraft, many features of this early research has followed on down through different generations.
(I made it up, no I didn’t, oh yes you did !!!)