"Mammoth deployment" for HMS Prince of Wales nears end as Royal Navy carrier prepares for "crucial" Nato op
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Tens of thousands of miles have been covered by the Royal Navy flagship during her “mammoth deployment” - now in its final stages.
HMS Prince of Wales, in charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG), is due to begin drills with Nato allies in the Mediterranean. They will participate in Exercise Falcon Strike, a large-scale air and maritime exercise where British personnel join forces with Nato allies on an Italian-led exercise.
During a recent visit to Souda Bay in Crete, armed forces minister Al Carns welcomed ships and crew back to familiar waters. “Spending six months away from home, on the far side of the world, ready at a moment’s notice to defend your life and the lives of your fellow shipmates – is a big ask for anyone,” he added.
“But visiting HMS Prince of Wales at NATO facilities in Crete, and meeting just some of the 4,000 personnel supporting this mammoth deployment, I saw the unique bond shared between members of our Navy and Armed Forces in action – the determination and dedication they bring to an extraordinary job. Deployments like this, which see us training alongside NATO allies and expanding our defence relations around the world, are critical to boosting our national security – keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.”
Exercise Falcon Strike will fully utilise British F-35B fighter jets. Training side by side with the Italian, US and Greek Air Force, they will take part in day and night training scenarios. The UKCSG will also conduct a series of engagements with NATO and EU countries, through port visits to Greece, Albania, Italy and Spain.
Minister of state for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, said: “The Carrier Strike Group’s work with European partners is a clear signal to allies and adversaries alike of our commitment to a safer, more secure region. I am particularly proud of the work of our armed forces personnel building the crucial capabilities and relationships that underpin our NATO alliance on sea, air and land – and it was a pleasure to meet them.
“Our own security at home, and that of Europe as a whole, depends on European and transatlantic cooperation between friends and allies, with the UK leading from the front in this deployment.”
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group, said it the period in the Indo-Pacific was a hugely successful. “The upcoming exercises with NATO allies will be a real demonstration of the warfighting readiness of the UK Carrier Strike Group,” he added.
“The eight-month deployment covers over 26,000 nautical miles and engages with 40 nations, reinforcing the UK’s position as a leading European power delivering fifth-generation aircraft and carrier capabilities assigned as a primary contribution to NATO.”