Carrier Strike Group 2021 - CSG21

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Navy Lookout

HMSQNLZ ahead of StrikeWarrior CSG21 deployment include 924 pallets of food 2 x F-35B jet engines (worth £20 million each). Who needs HRAS?
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 46/photo/1

The RN's transformation into a carrier task group navy...Confirmed:
HMSQNLZ will depart from Portsmouth on Saturday around 1500.
Preceded by escorts hms Kent and HMS Defender in the morning.
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 70/photo/1

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CHRIS TERRILL - FUTURE TV SERIES

It has been confirmed today by Chris that he is aboard R08 for the 6 month duration of CSG21 and will be filming for his 3rd BBC TV series about “The Nation’s Biggest Warship” covering events during the coming deployment. See the following from Instagram:

"chris.terrill
Today I leave with HMS Queen Elizabeth for her first operational deployment. I will be on board for the next seven months to make a series for the BBC. Great to be back on a ship I know so well with a fantastic ship’s company. Great adventure beckons on the high seas."

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CARRIER STRIKE GROUP PREPARES FOR FINAL TEST AHEAD OF GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT
01 May 2021
Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has set sail from Portsmouth as the UK Carrier Strike Group prepares to join allied forces for its largest and most demanding exercise to date.

Warships HMS Defender, HMS Diamond and HMS Kent also sailed from the city while HMS Richmond is due to sail from Plymouth. Meanwhile Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron have departed their base in Yeovilton to join the exercise.

Exercise Strike Warrior will involve more than 20 warships, three submarines and 150 aircraft from 11 nations and is a final test for the Carrier Strike Group ahead of its first operational deployment to the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific.

The exercise, which will run for two weeks, will see the task group pitted against warships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 in waters off north-west Scotland to prove it is capable of undertaking high intensity operations against the most demanding adversaries.

The culmination of Strike Warrior will see the Carrier Strike Group certified ready for deployment, at which point operational command will pass from the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd, to the Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key.

Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “The advent of the UK Carrier Strike Group represents a substantial new injection of fifth generation combat power into the defence of the Euro-Atlantic region.

“It is therefore fitting that our final and most demanding test prior to deployment involves so many of Britain’s allies.

“As the ships and aircraft of the Carrier Strike Group assemble over the coming days, Exercise Strike Warrior is an opportunity prove to ourselves, and to the world, that we have what it takes to act as cohesive and potent fighting force at sea, under the water, in the air and over the land.”

Continues at:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... ke-warrior

See:
https://www.navylookout.com/the-uk-carr ... 67BhcwQx_k

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US Senior National Rep to UK Carrier Strike Group

Back to sea where Marines and Sailors belong. We will refine our common tactics and build seamless interoperability with our Royal Navy and Royal Air Force colleagues during Strike Warrior as part of CSG21.
4 Photos at - https://twitter.com/SenNatRepQNLZ/statu ... 12/photo/1

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For those who like photos click the 1st photo and just keep scrolling right here: https://twitter.com/HMSQNLZ/status/1389 ... 29/photo/1

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

UK F-35B fighter jets operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth will join Operation Shader in the fight against Daesh.

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.

Source - GOV UK

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Boss of USMC 211 SQDN AIRCRAFT

Note his tailfin marking which is the traditional marking of the squadron and that all ten, now embarked, have HMS QE on for the 6 month operational deployment.

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American assault ship currently off Scottish coast
May 4, 202122
The USS Iwo Jima ‘Amphibious Ready Group’ and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently off the coast of Scotland.

The American assault ship and her Amphibious Ready Group will take part in exercises in the region.

Continues at:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/america ... CT8tRQdiAU

See also:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/scottis ... -exercise/

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HNLMS Evertsen tightens ties on a trip to Japan

HNLMS Evertsen will leave on May 22 to participate in the deployment of the British carrier strike group (CSG). The fleet will sail to Japan and back and will visit several countries along the way. Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten today sent the House additional information about the deployment.

Continues at:
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/ ... naar-japan
Note there is a translation available top right.

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RFA Fort Victoria conducted her first solid stores RAS with HMSQNLZ today.
See also:
https://www.navylookout.com/rfa-fort-vi ... -carriers/