Operation Highmast

[RubyRoo]

Looking at all the media releases, I haven’t seen anything that suggests one of the squadrons will be returning early. In the latest edition of the RAF News, CO 809NAS comments suggest there are on board for the full deployment and the Lightning Air Wing Commanders comments also suggest both squadrons are on board for the full deployment. If one does come back before the Suez, they won’t be on board for very long, Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia is during July.

Whilst it would be nice to see, I can't envision any scenario where all 24 (if indeed 24 embark) stay on board for the entire deployment, not unless Marham get a chunky delivery/s over the course of the deployment to sustain training.

[Vulcanone]

Well we will find out one way or the other from Tuesday onward won't we....

[tornado17]

Looking at all the media releases, I haven’t seen anything that suggests one of the squadrons will be returning early. In the latest edition of the RAF News, CO 809NAS comments suggest there are on board for the full deployment and the Lightning Air Wing Commanders comments also suggest both squadrons are on board for the full deployment. If one does come back before the Suez, they won’t be on board for very long, Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia is during July.

Whilst it would be nice to see, I can't envision any scenario where all 24 (if indeed 24 embark) stay on board for the entire deployment, not unless Marham get a chunky delivery/s over the course of the deployment to sustain training.

I can’t see it myself either as I stated in the QNLZ thread, I’m predicting 12 jets!! I hope it’s substantially more because it won’t look too good with so few jets on a large carrier.

viewtopic.php?f=355&t=195973&start=340

For those that don’t already know, departure tomorrow is at 1245

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/khm/portsm ... s/tomorrow

[dazzler5440]

We could get a sweep stake going. Im predicting 18 by Thursday.

[RubyRoo]

I'll go with 20. 8 to come off prior to Red Sea.

[Evergreen 44]

OK, 16 on, 4 return before Suez

[mudcity]

The routing that is planned seems to put the whole task force at risk from a possible Houthi attack , will be 'interesting' to see how that is managed

[sdad]

Get on the White House mailing list!

[iainpeden]

The routing that is planned seems to put the whole task force at risk from a possible Houthi attack , will be 'interesting' to see how that is dealt with .Maybe Typhoon CAPS from Cyprus ?

Or some very costly diving sites off the coast of Yemen.

[reg]

Morning all does anybody know the etd for the F-35s from Marham to the carrier

[RubyRoo]

https://www.navylookout.com/the-carrier ... UeUexM2Z_Q

Confirmed in here. 18 British F-35B, with a “significant number of jets to fly back to the UK”.

It then goes on to mention that the fast jet air wing will then go back up to 24 later in the deployment.

My guess is 18 on now, 10 off before Suez then up to 24 once she’s back in the Med on her way home.

By the time she’s nearing the end of the deployment Marham will have had a few more deliveries so numbers are less of an issue.

[RubyRoo]

Morning all does anybody know the etd for the F-35s from Marham to the carrier

Helicopters first usually, fast jets on last.

Marham opening times this week. I'd guess Wednesday but no idea.

U2262/25 - AD OPERATING HOURS
21 APR CLOSED
22 APR 1145-2045
23 APR 0745-1645
24 APR 0800-1700
25 APR 0700-1400
26-27 APR CLOSED. 21 APR 00:00 2025 UNTIL 27 APR 23:59 2025. CREATED: 17 APR
13:13 2025

[Nighthawke]

Prince of Wales thread has some helo details.

[Finty]

Some gen on exercise Neptune strike. Yes it’s GB news, oh well!

https://www.gbnews.com/news/royal-navy- ... l-exercise