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And count them back in 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣
Reconnaissance mission complete.
Friday nights are quite alright in the North Sea at the moment ⚡⚓🇬🇧
#F35Friday #CarrierStrike #F35 #FlyFriday #FridayFunDay
277
3 years ago we took a modern feat of 🇬🇧 #engineering into open water for the first time.
Tonight, we thank everyone that was involved in building that 65,000 tonne Ship, which is now 🇬🇧's #StrikeCarrier.
#Rosyth #Scotland @GREATBritain #Shipbuilding @QEClassCarriers #ThankYou
278
🚨Hostile Aircraft Inbound🚨
#StrikeCarrier daily business as one of our pairs take off in Alert 5 Mode using the stream launch technique.
#DoubleTrouble then practiced air combat dogfighting against #Typhoon and other #F35s.
#TopGun? Yeah, but 🇬🇧 & better 👊🏻
🔊🆙️
279
Remember last year when our hangar looked cramped with a couple of jets and few helos?
During #GROUPEX, inside space will be at a premium as we pack in 2 fixed & a full rotary air wing.
Outside, a @NATO taskgroup will be operating with us at its heart.
🇬🇧🇺🇳 #StrikeCarrier
280
Our predecessor took part in operations against Japanese bases in the Indian Ocean and in support of landing operations in #Burma - hence we hold the Burma Battle Honour.
Today, #VJDay75, we remember them & all those who fought on to Victory ✌
#LestWeForget #NeverForgotten
281
#F35Friday's will soon be back as we will again welcome @OC617Sqn Dambusters and for their maiden appearance @3rdmaw @USMC.
This will be the first time two operational #F35 squadrons have operated simultaneously from a 🇬🇧 carrier.
Meanwhile #UKF35🇬🇧s are warming up @RAF_Marham.
282
Our friends from across the pond have landed in the UK.
They will be working with @OC617Sqn at @RAF_Marham before they both join us later in the month as we embark the most aircraft on a @RoyalNavy carrier since HMS Hermes.
#WelcometotheUK 🇬🇧🇺🇸 #F35Friday's are back!
283
After a successful @BAES_Maritime short maintenance period it is great to again stretch our sea legs.
A brief period to get back into the swing of things before a mounting period back alongside @HMNBPortsmouth.
Then, Game Time 🇺🇳⚡🇬🇧⚡🇺🇸
#Groupex #JW202
📸 @PortsmouthProud
284
Today we stand with our @USNavy and @USMC friends and allies. 🇺🇸🇬🇧 #NeverForget911 #WeAreNATO @USAmbUK
285
Taskgroup for #Groupex and #JW202 has been announced.
@NATO's UK led #5thGen Carrier Strike Group will be:
@hms_kent 🇬🇧
@HMSDefender 🇬🇧
@hmsdiamond 🇬🇧
@HMSNORT 🇬🇧
@RFATideforce 🇬🇧
@RFAFortVictoria 🇬🇧
HMS 🤫 🇬🇧
HNLMS Evertsen @kon_marine 🇳🇱
USS The Sullivans @USNavy 🇺🇸
Game on⚓
286
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few", Winston Churchill.
A collaborative effort between the @RoyalNavy and the @RoyalAirForce, a partnership which continues to this very day with @OC617Sqn.
#BattleOfBritain #BattleofBritainDay
287
Our last night together as we are scheduled to head out tomorrow for #Groupex and @NATO #JW202.
@HMSPWLS will soon head out also to conduct Her first part of @FOST sea training.
British Sea Power reborn⚓ #GlobalBritain 🇬🇧 #CarrierAlley
📸 @MaritimePhotos
288
And we are off, on a journey like no other.
#JustAddJets
Stay tuned for #Groupex and #JW202.
🎥@ShaunRoster
289
News travels as fast as lightning.
Another #StrikeCarrier day for us, just that we now have the largest #5thGen Air Group, at sea, in the world.
With the pilots now inducted it will be busy times ahead as we head into #Groupex and #JW202.
⚡️🇬🇧Lightning has Struck🇺🇸⚡️
290
With lightning above deck, below deck we retain the ability to provide them with some thunder.
#WeStrikeFromTheSea ⚓️⚡️
291
🌂's team?
Sometimes our flight deck crews get a suntan ☀️, other times, well, slightly wet 🌊.
With our final #UKF35🇬🇧 landing today, they now have 1️⃣5️⃣ fast jets and 8️⃣ helicopters to manage and manoeuvre.
#FlightDeckLife #Groupex #JW202
292
Who has the Friday feeling?
We have the #F35Friday feeling 😁 as we enter #Groupex and continue to ready for #JW202.
#BigDeckFastJets
293
15 #F35 fighter jets, 8 #Merlin helicopters and, eh, 1 #Sparrowhawk.
An upgrade from pigeons at least - we must be looking meaner from the air.
So, over to you; what shall we name our new addition? 💬your suggestions 👇
#SparrowhawkSaturday
294
Protect our Nation and our interests 🇬🇧 #StrikeCarrier
Project air and maritime superiority ⚓ #CarrierStrike
Promote British engineering and military capability 🌍 #GlobalBritain
65,000 tonnes of proven versatility.
#SupercarrierSunday #WeAreQE
295
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Welcome to #CarrierStrike @RFAFortVictoria.
As a solid support Ship, she will enable the UK and @NATO Carrier Strike Group to go further, for longer - and hopefully keep morale high with biscuits. 😉 🍪
#CapabilityIncreased #Groupex #JW202
297
In #CarrierStrike world, we have 'the rule of four'.
Our #5thGen #F35 go out in fours, and return in fours - all whilst remaining socially distant.
Happy #F35Friday ⚡️⚓️
298
Our first 'no-fly' day; a chance to give our aircraft some deep maintenance, and also give our personnel 'a chance' at some vitamin D ☀️ (more like 🌧).
After relentless flying it is well deserved before we take them into the #JW202 battlesphere next week.
299
After yesterdays 'rest & recuperation', the roar has returned to our flight deck as we enter the penultimate day before #JW202.
Ready, jet-set, GO!
#LaunchTheJet
300
As the sun sets, we will rise at its dawn to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group into @NATO's biggest yearly exercise, #JW202.
9 Ships
27 Aircraft
3,000 Personnel
#WeAreNATO #WeAreReady
#WeStrikeFromTheSea ⚡⚓
The @RoyalNavy's flagship and first Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. ⚓️🇬🇧