Navy

Moody and magnificent: F-35Bs' show of force in North Atlantic amid rising threat from Russia

Mike Morton

17th June 2026 at 12:44pm

The F-35B is a multi-role fighter, capable of fulfilling air-to-air and air-to-ground roles as well as intelligence-gathering and electronic warfare

The deployment will see the UK and US working together on Euro-Atlantic security around the east coast of North America, boosting the historic alliance between the two nations

The Carrier Strike Group will sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, with US Marine Corps jets also expected to operate from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales

The mission is taking place amid growing concern over Russian operations in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap and the increased risk to critical undersea cables and pipelines

Operation Firecrest will involve thousands of personnel from all three services, demonstrating the UK's ability to project force wherever it is needed

F-35s aren't the only teeth HMS Prince of Wales can bare as she also carries a sub-hunting Merlin Mk2 and a Wildcat, armed with Martlet multi-role missiles

F-35B Lightning jets are now operating from HMS Prince of Wales as the Royal Navy flagship works alongside her Nato allies in the North Atlantic to boost regional security.

The fifth-generation stealth jets are being flown by 809 Naval Air Squadron and 617 Squadron, with their home base being RAF Marham in Norfolk, as part of Operation Firecrest.

HMS Prince of Wales is leading the Carrier Strike Group in a major show of force at a time of rising Russian threats in the region.

Russian threat on the rise

According to the MOD, over the past two years there has been a 30% increase in Russian navy vessels threatening UK waters.

The deployment will include activity under Nato's Arctic Sentry mission, strengthening the alliance's security in a region where melting sea ice is opening new routes and increasing threat from hostile state activity.

The aim is to send a clear message that the UK will always defend its waters, protect critical infrastructure and stand firm with its allies.

All images courtesy of the Ministry of Defence.