American aircraft flying from British carrier
By Craig Langford - July 31, 2025 53
Image credit LPhot Bill Spurr, Royal Navy.
Flight operations involving the US aircraft were conducted on 21 July as part of integration drills ahead of their full embarkation, which took place last week. The embarked U.S. Marine Corps detachment marks a major boost for combined UK-US air operations during the carrier’s eight-month deployment.
Operation Highmast is the UK’s primary naval deployment of 2025. It brings together forces from around a dozen nations in a task group led by HMS Prince of Wales, now operating in the western Pacific following its transit through the Mediterranean and Middle East and recent stop in Australia.
The deployment includes a series of joint and multinational exercises aimed at strengthening partnerships, ensuring regional security, and promoting British trade and industry.
According to the Royal Navy, more than 4,500 British military personnel are involved in the deployment. This includes approximately 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines, 900 British Army soldiers, and nearly 600 Royal Air Force personnel.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/american-aircraft-flying-from-british-carrier/
