American and British F-35 exercise in the Western Pacific

KUALA LUMPUR – Aircraft of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) conducted interoperability exercises over the Philippine Sea Aug. 26 with the US Marine Corps and the Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group 21 ( CSG 21) of the British Royal Navy, announced the Navy this week.

Four Navy F-35Cs from Strike Fight Squadron (VFA) 147; five F / A-18E / F Super Hornets, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 2 and 192; two EA-18G Growlers, from the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136; and an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye from the Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) participated in the exercises, in addition to 113 CSG 21 aircraft. The aircraft of the British carrier included two American F-35Bs from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 and two F-35Bs from 617 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force “The Dambusters”.

The exercise was one of the largest deployed collections of fifth generation fighters as the United States and United Kingdom began using their F-35s in the Western Pacific. In addition to the plane on Vinson, F-35B sailors on board the America Amphibious Ready Group are operating in the region.

“In a very short period of time, we were able to seamlessly combine the collective capabilities of 5th generation Joint Strike Fighter jets from two services and one partner nation with the rest of the advanced capabilities of our entire Air Wing.” , said Captain Tommy. Locke, the commanding officer of CVW-2, said in a press release. “Our strike group and air wing have arrived in the Indo-Pacific ready to demonstrate the value of agile 5th generation sea power in the region – and there is no doubt that we are set to win.”

Vinson arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on August 28 for a scheduled port stopover. The group was deployed Aug. 2 to the western Pacific and consists of VinsonUSS cruiser Champlain Lake (CG-57) and USS destroyers Dewey (DDG-105), USS O’Kane (DDG-77), USS Michael murphy (DDG-112), USS Chafee (DDG-90) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106).

The Vinson Carrier Strike Group is expected to conduct additional exercises with Britain’s CSG 21, which is now heading to Japan after completing a three-day exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) in the East Sea of August 30 to September 30. 1.

Maritime interoperability at its best as a @Royal Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy operate side-by-side performing critical maritime maneuvers. Thanks to the ROK Navy for their enthusiastic support of the # CSG21 deployment. pic.twitter.com/JN5dYiHbcC

– Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (@smrmoorhouse) August 31, 2021

The UK CSG 21 consists of the carrier HMS queen elizabeth (R08) and carrier planes, which include the “Wake Island Avengers” of the US Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211. The US Marine squadron is embarked and integrated into the Royal Air Force 617 Squadron “The Dambusters”. HMS Destroyer Defender (D36), HMS frigates Kent (F78) and HMS Richmond (F239), FRG of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria (A387) and RFA Tidespring (A136), an Astute-class submarine, the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805), and the American destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) constitute the strike group. HMS Destroyer diamond (D34) was forced to leave the group in July and dock in Italy due to problems with his engine. The ship left Taranto on September 1 after completing repairs, but it is not known whether it will leave to join the group or return home to the UK. Kent left Sasebo on August 31 after completing a maintenance period, while Richmond is currently in Guam.

The exercise between CSG 21 and ROKN focused on core operations such as search and rescue and refueling exercises at sea. Queen Elizabeth, Defender, Evertsen, The Sullivans, and supply ship Tidespring participated in the exercises. The ROKN vessels involved were LPH ROKS Dokdo (LPH6111) and ROKS destroyer Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG-993).

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