Integrated At-sea Operations
August 2021
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 [VMFA-211] is attached to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group 21, a UK-led international strike group including support from the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and The Royal Netherlands Navy HNLMS Evertsen. HMS Queen Elizabeth conducted a double replenishment with RFA Tidespring and HNLMS Evertsen in the South China Sea on 29 July, 2021.
The United Kingdom’s carrier strike group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08) and U.S. Navy carrier strike group led by flagship USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducted joint interoperability flights together in 7th Fleet in August 2021, the first time CSG-21 engaged with the F-35 “C” model, assigned to CVW-2. The two F-35B squadrons have been deployed together aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for her inaugural, global deployment, demonstrating the interoperability the F-35 provides. “The UK Carrier Strike Group offers the largest 5th Generation air wing afloat today and working with our close allies to develop operating procedures and capabilities while concurrently showcasing the agility of land and carrier-based aviation in the Indo-Pacific demonstrates our commitment to the region,” said Commodore Steve Moorhouse, OBE Royal Navy, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group. The training and events provided commanders the chance to practice capabilities across the maritime domain, as participating forces focused on anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare tactics and procedures.
USS America (LHA 6), the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, participated in cyclic flight operations with HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 22-24. The two ships conducted continuous flight operations for 48 hours, flexing dual-carrier and triple-F-35 squadron capability, as the ships feature three total F-35B Lightning II detachments. "The two days of continuous flight operations were the culmination of several days of interoperability and maritime strike training with allied air power on America and Queen Elizabeth," said Capt. Ken Ward, America's commanding officer. "This interaction showcased how quickly and seamlessly the U.S. and U.K. can fold together our combined air power, and execute highly intricate and sustained flight operations to devastatingly lethal effect."
Three carrier strike groups from the U.S. and U.K. were in the Indo-Pacific united by the fifth generation power of the F-35. USS America operated with VMFA-121's squadron of F-35Bs. HMS Queen Elizabeth was in the middle of its historic deployment with both American and British F-35 Warfighters on deck. The San Diego-based, nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Carl Vinson, carrying a squadron of F-35Cs, approached USS America and HMS Queen Elizabeth on August 25. Together, the three carriers and their escorts possess more firepower than the entire fleets of most countries with 36 F-35s and over 40 F-18s.
Fifth and 4th generation aircraft assigned to Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG), with embarked Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), and U.K. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21 conducted joint interoperability flights in the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, Aug. 26.
During the joint interoperability flights, the aircraft conducted missions to validate joint integration techniques, tactics, and procedures; including mid-air refueling. This is the first time that VINCSG and CSG-21 have operated together.
“In a very short amount of time, we were able to seamlessly combine the collective 5th generation capabilities of joint strike fighter aircraft from two services and a partner nation together with the rest of the advanced capabilities of our entire air wing,” said Capt. Tommy Locke, commander, CVW-2. “Our strike group and air wing arrived in the Indo-Pacific ready to demonstrate the value of having agile 5th generation maritime power in the region – and make no doubt, we are ready to win.”
Participating aircraft from CVW-2 include: four F-35C Lightning IIs 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 Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136; and one E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, from Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113.
Participating CSG-21 aircraft include: two U.S. F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211; and two F-35Bs from United Kingdom’s No. 617 Squadron.
This was the first training opportunity CSG-21 had to engage with the F-35 “C” model, assigned to CVW-2. The two F-35B squadrons have been deployed together aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for her inaugural, global deployment, demonstrating the interoperability the F-35 provides.
October 2021
The United Kingdom’s carrier strike group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces led by (JMSDF) Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) joined with U.S. Navy carrier strike groups led by flagships USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to conduct multiple carrier strike group operations in the Philippine Sea. The integrated at-sea operations brought together more than 15,000 Sailors across six nations, and demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to work closely with its unmatched network of alliances and partnerships in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 from Ronald Reagan was operating with CSG 1 from Carl Vinson for the first time during its 2021 deployment and marked the second time operating with UK CSG 21 and JS Ise this year. “We are picking up right where we left off in 5th Fleet with the Queen Elizabeth team and building on what we started with the JMSDF after first leaving Japan,” said Rear Adm. Will Pennington, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5/Task Force 70. “Adding the fantastic Vinson team to this potent force dynamically displays our capabilities across all domains, keeping us ready to respond to a range of maritime challenges.”
The strike groups conducted flight operations and air defense exercise scenarios as well as simulated strikes against maritime targets. The operations brought together F/A-18 Super Hornets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 aboard Ronald Reagan, along with F-35Bs from both Royal Air Force and U.S. Marines operating from Queen Elizabeth, and F-35Cs from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard Carl Vinson.
“Interoperability across air platforms, to include the addition of the Air Wing of the Future, is just one way we have integrated operations for enhanced lethality, readiness and maneuverability across our collective forces,” said Rear Adm. Dan Martin, commander, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG)/CSG 1. “This is Carl Vinson strike group’s fourth exercise with allies and partners since entering 7th Fleet, and we have continued to improve our ability to conduct prompt and sustained operations at sea with a more mobile, agile and flexible force. Through alliances and partnerships, we have developed the right operational concepts, plans, proficiencies and capabilities to bolster our maritime advantage.”
“In addition to the two carrier strike groups of the U.S. Navy, I feel very honored to be able to train with the Royal Navy's most advanced carrier strike group, which is an extremely valuable experience,” said Rear Adm. KONNO Yasushige, Commander of JMSDF Escort Flotilla 2. “Through this training, we enhanced our tactical skills and interoperability with the participating navies. In order to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, the JMSDF will work closely with the naval forces of the U.S., Britain, the Netherlands, and Canada, which share the same objectives, to respond to global challenges and defend maritime order based on the rule of law.”
Joining the JS Ise from the JMSDF were the destroyers JS Yamagiri (DD 152) and JS Kirishima (DDG 174). The frigates HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338) from the Royal Canadian Navy and HMNZS Te Kaha (F 77) from the Royal New Zealand Navy, represented their countries in the operations.
In addition to the carrier, the Queen Elizabeth Strike Group is comprised of anti-submarine frigates HMS Richmond (F 239) and HMS Kent (F 78), guided-missile destroyers HMS Defender (D 36) and HMS Diamond (D 34), Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring, U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), and Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F 805).
CSG 1 includes aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57).
CSG 5 includes the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the embarked staffs of Task Force 70 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5.
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