DougC wrote:
One DD and one FF seems to be a very skimpy escort force. Why were the F-35s not embarked in British waters but have to be flown to the US?
DougC,
To answer your question (however belatedly with this article from just yesterday), the F35s were first delivered to a British unit stateside for training and familiarization over a number of years, which is why they will only be embarked on HMS
Queen Elizabeth for the first time this month, as reported below:
gov.UK/UK MoD official site news releaseQuote:
First UK fighter jets land onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth
Pictures released by the MOD show UK F-35 Lightning jets landing, taking off and hovering onboard Britain’s next generation aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time.
Published 13 October 2019
From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP
Flown by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots, the Lightning jets are embarking in the 65,000 tonne carrier to conduct operational trials off the East Coast of the USA.
This follows successful developmental trials last year with US Lightning jets, where forces conducted 500 take offs and landings over their 11-week period at sea.
These trials are aimed at ‘end-to-end’ testing of the aircraft and personnel to ensure the aircraft are compatible with the carrier. The tests involve mission planning, arming the aircraft using the ship’s Highly Automated Weapon Handling System, flying missions and debriefing on completion.
The landings on HMS Queen Elizabeth are part of the ‘WESTLANT 19’ Carrier Strike Group deployment. Once fully operational, UK Carrier Strike Group will be a formidable force around the world, using a number of platforms to work alongside our allies.
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