The Royal Navy is once again operating fast jets from a British aircraft carrier after a 15-year hiatus. The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, has assembled in the North Sea for Exercise Strike Warrior. This exercise marks the integration of 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) and its F-35B Lightning stealth fighters and is a crucial step in restoring the Royal Navy’s carrier strike capability. This signifies Britain’s commitment to global power projection.
Photo: Royal Navy
For 809 NAS, formed at the end of last year, this exercise is a critical step towards their 2025 global deployment. 809 NAS is the second of two UK front-line F-35B squadrons. Commander Nick Smith, Commanding Officer of 809 NAS, called the event “a big moment” and “a vital building block to working up with the carrier strike group in preparation for the deployment next year.” He emphasised the squadron’s heritage and the importance of this training, stating “To be the commanding officer of a squadron with such a proud heritage is a huge privilege. We are still in our infancy forming as an F-35B squadron, so joining a carrier for the first time is truly a milestone.”
The addition of 809 NAS and its F-35B Lightning stealth fighters brings approximately 200 personnel, including engineers, technicians, and support staff, to HMS Prince of Wales. For many, this is their first experience at sea. Operating F-35Bs from a carrier requires a high level of skill and precision. Lieutenant Commander Armstrong, an F-35 pilot, pointed out the challenges, especially landing: “Imagine approaching, in the dark, 105ft above the ship, then moving across to set down on the deck.” Commander Smith explained the differences between land-based and carrier operations: “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.”
The embarkation of 809 NAS is a joint effort between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF), highlighting the critical role the RAF plays in enabling the Royal Navy’s carrier operations. 809 NAS is composed of personnel from both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Approximately 50% of the squadron’s personnel come from each branch. Without the expertise and support of RAF personnel, the successful operation of 809 NAS onboard HMS Prince of Wales would not be feasible. Sergeant ‘Thorpy’ Thorpe, an RAF personnel member, said: “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”. He also highlighted the camaraderie between the services: “There’s some good banter – and that’s absolutely a good sign that we get on. We go out of our way to call the carrier a ‘boat’ and ask where it’s ‘parked’ to wind up sailors – who always like to remind us that they are the ‘senior service’.”
Exercise Strike Warrior, in the North Sea, aims to validate the UK Carrier Strike Group as a “Very High Readiness” force, capable of commanding a fleet with just a few days’ notice. The exercise will involve intensive warfare scenarios designed to test the group’s ability to protect HMS Prince of Wales and its air group. The task force will test tactics in a range of scenarios, including anti-submarine warfare, countering attacks from uncrewed systems, air defence exercises, pilot rescues, and sailing through narrow straits while under threat.
During Strike Warrior, HMS Prince of Wales will be accompanied by other warships, including HMS Portland, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Dauntless, and an Astute-class submarine. These vessels will protect the carrier and conduct various warfare operations.
The UK Carrier Strike Group will operate alongside NATO warships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, the alliance’s primary task force in Northern European waters, throughout Strike Warrior. The two task forces will test tactics across a range of scenarios, including anti-submarine warfare, countering attacks from uncrewed systems, air defence exercises, pilot rescues and practising sailing through narrow straits while under threat.
The rigorous training and collaborative exercises undertaken during Exercise Strike Warrior will undoubtedly enhance the UK Carrier Strike Group’s preparedness for its upcoming global deployment in 2025. The integration of 809 NAS, with its cutting-edge F-35B Lightning stealth fighters, adds a potent dimension to the group’s capabilities, while joint operations with NATO allies underscore the importance of interoperability and collective security in an increasingly complex world. As the Carrier Strike Group prepares to embark on its global mission, Exercise Strike Warrior serves as a vital proving ground, ensuring its readiness to project British power and influence on the international stage.
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