Aircraft carrier strike groups from the Unites States (US) Navy and British Royal Navy have assembled in the North Sea for a colossal fortnight-long NATO exercise.
The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and NATO allies, is participating in the UK-led ‘Exercise Strike Warrior’ to ensure battle readiness for future combat operations.
Exercise Strike Warrior officially began off the coast of Scotland on October 14, 2024, and will run until October 25, 2024. Warships from Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark are also set to participate.
The Royal Navy’s fleet will include the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, along with F-35B Lightning fighter jets, HMS Portland, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Dauntless and an Astute-class submarine.
According to the Royal Navy, HMS Portland (Type 23 frigate) will operate in its primary role as a submarine hunter, aided by Merlin helicopters and P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF).
The F-35B jets from 809 Naval Air Squadron will be flying sorties, including the carrying out of mock long-range strikes into mainland Europe.
809 Naval Air Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Commander Nick Smith, said: “The F-35 Lightning Force, specifically the front-line units 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron, bring the headline Carrier Strike capability to the task group. The 5th Generation capability we bring ranges from projection of firepower ashore, to support of other theatre assets or defence of the task group.”
On October 14, 2024, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) transited through the Strait of Dover for the North Sea after a series of warfighting training scenarios off the Azores and Northern Africa.
The carrier strike group consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman, Carrier Air Wing 1 with nine embarked aviation squadrons and Destroyer Squadron 28, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham.
Commander of the US strike group, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, said: “We will operate with our NATO Allies and partners to strengthen our collective readiness, defense, and deterrence. No nation can confront today’s challenges alone, and we look forward to showcasing our interoperability.”
NATO warships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, the alliance’s premier task force in Northern European waters, will also take part in drills.
Along with its allies, Maritime Group 1 will test tactics across a range of scenarios, including anti-submarine warfare, countering attacks from uncrewed systems, air defense exercises and pilot rescues, plus practicing sailing through narrow straits while under threat.
4th ship to sail from #Glasgow today, for exercise Strike Warrior, is the Portuguese SNMG1 Frigate NRP DOM FRANCISCO DE ALMEIDA
— Royal Navy in Scotland (@RNinScotland) October 14, 2024
Adeus 🇵🇹 👋 @MarinhaPT @NATO_MARCOM @COM_SNMG1 @PeelPorts @CasperDefence #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/9x0MBejIXZ
Running the exercise from HMS Prince of Wales is Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
He said: “The UK’s Carrier Strike Group is the 1* battle staff that commands the fleet embarked on HMS Prince of Wales. I have command of highly capable assets and personnel, which provide a powerful capability across all domains from anti-air to cyber. This exercise is important because it will validate my team as a ‘Very High Readiness’ force, which means we can be ready to command a fleet with a few days’ notice. This is all in preparation for next year’s exercise across which will see us traverse the globe to achieve.”
The Royal Navy is currently preparing for a major global deployment in 2025 which will see British warships, support vessels and fighter jets sent out across the world.