British Carrier Strike Group and USS America Expeditionary Strike Group conducts joint aviation operations.

According to information released by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) on August 20, 2021, United Kingdom (U.K.) Carrier Strike Group (CSG 21) and USS America Expeditionary Strike Group (AMA ESG) with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, begin multinational advanced aviation operations in support of Large Scale Global Exercise (LSGE) 21.
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An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, embarked on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), lands on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during flight operations between and America and the Royal Navy. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

LSGE 21 is global command and control exercise, with a regional focus, to enhance the integration of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. With many operations, activities, and investments nested under the LSGE 21 umbrella, these operations are part of the larger initiative.

While sailing together, the strike groups will conduct large-formation steaming maneuvers, anti-submarine and surface warfare exercises, and aviation integration events to enhance their capability and proficiency throughout all domains.

HMS Queen Elizabeth leads the U.K.’s Carrier Strike Group and is operating a mixed air group of F-35Bs, with a squadron of U.K. jets and a squadron from the U.S. Marine Corps. Additionally, USS The Sullivans from the U.S. Navy as well as several other Royal Navy ships comprise the U.K.’s Carrier Strike Group.

According to information published by the British Royal Navy on February 16, 2021, the British Navy Carrier Strike Group comprises different types of ships and aircraft including the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier with Merlin helicopters and F-35B fighter aircraft, Fleet Auxiliary’s fast fleet Tide-class tanker, Type 23 also called Duke-class frigate, Type 45 also called Daring-class guided missile destroyer and Astute-class nuclear powered submarine (SSN). 

Integrating Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211’s F-35Bs into the carrier air wing provides the opportunity to share experiences, tactics, and procedures, highlighting common interests and strong bilateral relationship, between the U.S. and the U.K.

The Lightning (F-35B) is a next generation multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology employed from both the AMA ESG and the CSG 21.