HMS Prince of Wales gets ready to welcome F-35Bs ahead of major exercise
HMS Prince of Wales is due to set sail from Portsmouth this weekend ahead of leading the UK Carrier Strike Group on a major exercise in the North Sea.
The 65,000-tonne carrier is embarking on a "critical" autumn training programme which includes Exercise Strike Warrior.
HMS Prince of Wales will sail from Portsmouth on Saturday morning - weather permitting - and then head to the exercise area off the coast of Scotland after qualifying her air wing off Cornwall.
The UK's biggest warship will be leading a multinational naval task force of warships and work alongside partner nations.
F-35B Lightning jets from joint Royal Navy/RAF 809 Naval Air Squadron will be embarked on the ship for the deployment.
It will be the first time 809 NAS will deploy with a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier, having formed at RAF Marham in Norfolk at the end of last year.
As well as taking part in Strike Warrior, the exercise gives the pilots of 809 NAS the chance to achieve their carrier qualifications.
Engineers, technicians and armourers supporting will learn how to maintain and support the UK's most advanced fighter in more challenging conditions.
The jets will be joined in the task group by Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton.
HMS Prince of Wales in late August sailed to conduct Operational Sea Training, gaining assurance the ship is ready to handle any state 3 (peacetime) emergency from fires to floods.
After Exercise Strike Warrior, she will be at a higher level of operational readiness.
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