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Queen Elizabeth's Air Wing and first deployment

Uncle Fester

Uncle Fester

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UK Defence Journal:
British supercarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to deploy to the Pacific

Some interesting bits in here about Big Liz's maiden deployment plans and Air Wing composition. Not least of which, this:

"Recently, the Ministry of Defence confirmed plans for the deployment of American F-35 aircraft alongside British jets aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth...The addition of US Marine Corps aircraft will see HMS Queen Elizabeth sail with 24 or so F-35Bs in addition to around 14 or so helicopters for her maiden deployment. It is understood that the US aircraft will augment British jets on coalition operations.

I heard about a VMA deploying aboard Illustrious a few years back for summer surge, but I understood that to be a one-off. Wonder if international cross-decking will become a more regular thing.
 
Uncle Fester said:
...I heard about a VMA deploying aboard Illustrious a few years back for summer surge, but I understood that to be a one-off. Wonder if international cross-decking will become a more regular thing.
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Maybe 'semi-regular', it'll take the Brits a few years to get their F-35B fleet FOC and until then I think the Marines will fill at least some of the gaps.
 
Flash said:
Maybe 'semi-regular', it'll take the Brits a few years to get their F-35B fleet FOC and until then I think the Marines will fill at least some of the gaps.
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No, I get what the Brits are getting out of the deal. I was more surprised that we're going to have enough operational Marine F-35s by 2021 to spare some for our cousins across the pond.
 
Uncle Fester said:
No, I get what the Brits are getting out of the deal. I was more surprised that we're going to have enough operational Marine F-35s by 2021 to spare some for our cousins across the pond.
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They'll find enough, it is a big enough showpiece for both services and countries.
 
Found an old local news blurb about the float:


photo291.jpg
 
When I was at 26 we sent a SARDET out to one of the Brit carriers off the coast of NC for a few weeks to support VMA ops off the Brit boat. I can't remember which boat it was but they had a blast.
 
Pags said:
When I was at 26 we sent a SARDET out to one of the Brit carriers off the coast of NC for a few weeks to support VMA ops off the Brit boat. I can't remember which boat it was but they had a blast.
Click to expand...

The British destroyer that was on deployment with us pretty much showed us how it ought to be done. Those guys looked like they were having a blast.
 
Alas, the rum ration ended on July 31, 1970 (Black Tot Day) though the RNZN apparently kept it going until 1990.

"Chips and beer" before dinner is still very much a thing on H.M.'s ships, though.
 
If I recall there were plans/discussions about doing this with USN F-35Cs back when Lizzie was supposed to be a CATOBAR boat.
 
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