What does it take to get CSG25 resupplied during its eight-month deployment?

With the thunder of jet engines and precision honed by years of experience, RAF Brize Norton's 99 Squadron have taken to the skies in support of Operation Highmast.

99 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, has completed strategic airlifts to aid Carrier Strike Group 25, the strategic mission projecting British air power and logistical might deep into the Indo-Pacific.

After the squadron flew in a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, they moved supplies into place along CSG25's route through the Indo-Pacific in preparation for the operation.

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A small unit from the United Kingdom Mobile Air Movements Squadron (UKMAMS) also flew with the aircraft to help unload the supplies.

"The C-17 continues to deliver high volumes of cargo, munitions and oversized loads across the globe in support of UK operations," Wing Commander Nicola Lofthouse, Officer Commanding 99 Squadron, said.

"Supporting Op Highmast demonstrates the important role of the Air Mobility Force; C-17 aircraft are especially critical to defence output and operational activity.

"We continue to increase our interoperability with partner nations, and these sorties were another great example of just how seamless this activity is becoming, acting as a force multiplier, enabling us to optimise the use of our fleet."

This latest drop of supplies comes ahead of a 19-nation exercise in Australia called Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Personnel will participate in drills focusing on live-fire exercises, field training exercises, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, and air combat and maritime operations, which is where CSG25 will come into play.

UKMAMS is part of the RAF's No.1 Mobility Wing and is similarly based at Brize Norton.

These RAF Air Mobility Force sorties were coordinated with the US Air Force.

The CSG25 deployment, also known as Operation Highmast, involves around 4,500 British military personnel, including nearly 600 RAF and 900 soldiers, alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.

Australia marks the final destination of the voyage.

The C-17 Globemaster III: a factfile

This hulking machine, with a 17m wingspan, is a heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft that can fly near potential areas of operations for combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions.

The huge C-17 can move 45,350kg of freight more than 8,334km, while flying at the altitude of a standard commercial aircraft, 35,000ft.

It can deliver troops and miscellaneous cargo, including other military equipment like Chinook helicopters, military vehicles and other substantial items of specialist kit, to operating bases globally.

The aircraft was used to evacuate Afghans during Operation Pitting after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

Each aircraft costs around £250m.

For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.