Maiden operational deployment for British Navy Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

According to information published by the British Navy on May 22, 2021, the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group starts its maiden operational deployment on May 22, 2021, which will include visiting more than one-fifth of the world’s nations.
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British Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth on May 22, 2021, for her maiden operational deployment. (Picture source British Navy)

Led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, the task group will visit 40 nations including India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore in a deployment covering 26,000 nautical miles.

The group will also join up and take part in exercises with French carrier FS Charles De Gaulle in the Mediterranean as well as navies and aircraft from allies such as the US, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan and the UAE.

While in the Pacific, ships from the Carrier Strike Group will mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the UK by taking part in Exercise Bersama Lima.

Joining HMS Queen Elizabeth on her maiden deployment are destroyers HMS Diamond and Defender; frigates HMS Richmond and Kent; an Astute-class submarine in support below the waves; and Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring.

More than 30 aircraft will also embark across the task group including F-35 jets from 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and the US Marine Corps’ VMFA-211; Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin helicopters from 820 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons. Royal Marines from 42 Commando will also deploy with the carrier.

Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen and American Arleigh Burke destroyer USS The Sullivans are also part of the strike group.