F-35B jets to join the fight against Daesh from the Carrier Strike Group

[Uncle Sam]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/f-35 ... rike-group

F-35B Lightning fast jets will be the cutting edge of the Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG21) formidable power in the air.

These are next generation multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology, enabling them to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

This will be the first time UK fighter aircraft are embarked on an operational aircraft carrier deployment since 2010, and will be the largest number of F-35Bs ever to sail the seas.

The renowned 617 Squadron RAF (‘The Dambusters’) will operate the jets to provide tangible and impactful support to counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria.

Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey MP said:
The F-35B Lightning jets will pack a potent punch against Daesh and help prevent them from regaining a foothold in Iraq.

This is a prime example of the UK Armed Forces stepping forward with our allies to confront persistent threats around the world. It is Global Britain in action.

CSG21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation and will set sail next month on its first operational deployment.

This is a joint Royal Air Force and Royal Navy deployment which is committed to confronting persistent threats around the world and make a meaningful contribution to global security.

The F-35B Lightning jets, which will operate from HMS Queen Elizabeth throughout the deployment, will make a significant contribution in degrading Daesh.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key said:
This deployment represents the embodiment of the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Capability and utilising the F-35Bs in the fight against Daesh will further demonstrate our commitment to securing their global defeat.

March 2021 saw the second anniversary of Daesh’s final and total loss of territory in Syria. However, there remain significant numbers of Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

The UK remains committed to defeating Daesh and enhancing security in the region, alongside the Iraqi Security Forces and our NATO allies.

Operation Shader is the UK’s contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh.

[Blackcat1]

Good luck guys n gals

[TonyO]

Will there be anything to attack, strikes are few and far between at the moment.

[Thunder]

No mention of the USMC element

[C24]

No mention of the USMC element

Only ten

https://news.usni.org/2021/04/29/blende ... nt-to-date

🛰
Stay safe on your first deployment .

[Finty]

Will there be anything to attack, strikes are few and far between at the moment.

Usually caves whenever there are strikes.

[warthog81]

I assume there are still RAF Typhoons in Cyprus? Hardly need F-35Bs operating from a carrier to do what land based jets can.

[Fighterfoto]

Well this would relieve the pressure on the Typhoon Force or provide coalition commanders with more options.

[Nighthawke]

I assume there are still RAF Typhoons in Cyprus? Hardly need F-35Bs operating from a carrier to do what land based jets can.

The carrier with the UK F-35B force need to work up as a fully operational unit. But of course given your negativity to both assets your comment is hardly surprising.

[TonyO]

Will there be anything to attack, strikes are few and far between at the moment.

Usually caves whenever there are strikes.

That was the first British strike in a while, and that used Storm Shadow which isn't available to F-35.

[warthog81]

In my opinion it is just a public relations exercise to try and justify the huge cost of the aircraft carriers to the detriment of the rest of the British military, especially the Royal Air Force.

[Vulcanone]

Yeah why bother with a power projection demonstration or two from the carrier, not like we need them eh? (and yes I see that is all you have more or less said in 11 years)

Aside from the fact that other nations that don't have Carriers are starting back down that road.... even Japan is from memory power And some that never had em are getting in on the act...

Maybe we ain't the world policemen we once used to be but there ain't nowt wrong with having a big stick.

[Nighthawke]

Plus we are sharing our "big stick" with the USMC which has given aviation enthusiasts (that's what we are on this forum - well most of us anyway!) chance to see some of their aircraft.

[warthog81]

Carriers are the battleship of the 21st Century. I would rather we had gone for more Typhoons along with a purchase of F-35A. In this modern era those jets could be deployed almost anywhere in the world rapidly. But because so much money was basically blown on two carriers and F-35B for those carriers there will not be anymore new Typhoons or F-35A.

It seems lunacy to blow so much money on a pointless vanity project when we cannot even retain basic core items such as C-130J and Puma. Also binning the Tranche 1 Typhoons come to mind.

Doing carriers properly costs big money that this country no longer has. Only the big players like the US and China will really be able to go down that road. The only reason we are sharing is that we cannot really afford the F-35B in enough numbers. On this deployment not even 50% of the F-35Bs deployed are British.

I note we also have Joint Force Lightning as its the only way for the RAF to get theirs hands on F-35 at all. Meanwhile Italy for example has Eurofighter Typhoon in service along with F-35A, F-35B and has still retained Tornado, AV-8 and I think they still have the AMX (not 100% on that). While for Britain the Jaguar, Sea Harrier, Harrier GR9, Tornado F-3 and Tornado GR4 have all gone. We are left with a declining force of Typhoons, 48x F-35Bs (eventually and no F-35As) and that is it. Considering how much Britain spends on the military and Italy spends on her military something is very wrong somewhere.

[C24]

This may help

https://isdp.eu/london-increases-its-na ... e-pacific/


🛰
Stay safe

[warthog81]

Thanks but I am not convinced. Probably yet another mission created to try and justify the carriers. All of it is just one huge PR stunt.

[Yammer]

""Considering how much Britain spends on the military and Italy spends on her military something is very wrong somewhere.""

A large part of our defence spending is related to our Vanguard submarines and the Trident nuclear missiles they carry - such a program burns a lot of money in operating, maintaining and updating.

Italy doesn't have this - most nations don't have this in their defence budget.

I've no idea if it is a wise spend or not, but that same money could boost other sections our armed forces.

Our conventional forces are shrinking away.

[willow70]

This should be cancelled and the F35Bs should be doing hovering practice round Jersey.

[Richard B]

Depends on how far off the coast they go, and how far inland for targets or ops, with the short range loaded with weapons can the F35B be effective. Or even fly deep into daesh areas and back too the carrier 100miles or more off the coast.

[Agent K]

Depends on how far off the coast they go, and how far inland for targets or ops, with the short range loaded with weapons can the F35B be effective. Or even fly deep into daesh areas and back too the carrier 100miles or more off the coast.

Well, the RAF has tankers on Cyprus and regularly refuels Typhoons on Shader missions from Cyprus, so I'd imagine they'd be available for F35 too and I'm not sure it will be an issue in this case.