RAF P-8 Poseidon trains with USS Gerald R Ford - the world's biggest warship
A Royal Air Force P-8 Poseidon has taken part in exercises with the US Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford, off the Norwegian coast.
The exercise formed part of a series of training activities being carried out by the US Navy Carrier Strike Group led by the USS Gerald R Ford - the world's biggest warship - which also involved the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
As well as being designed to "enhance combined interoperability", the RAF said the exercises are for developing "the ability to maintain agile, capable, and expeditionary forces with the ability to flexibly operate within the High North region".
A Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) is a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with sensors and weapons systems designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and search and rescue missions.
Wing Commander Ben Livesey the Officer Commanding CXX Squadron said: "This sortie provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen our alliance with Nato and JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force) partners.
"The ability to interoperate with each other is essential to improve the effectiveness of the capabilities we provide to the defence of the Alliance in terms of collective defence."
'Deter and defend against threats'
He added: "Routinely working with both Norway and the US, our combined efforts of surface ships and maritime patrol aircraft allow us to deter and defend against threats to Nato security.
"Our seas and interests have been challenged in recent months by an aggressive and expansionist Russia, and it is important we continue to demonstrate our resolve to counter such threats and deliver support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
The USN Carrier Strike Group on arrival in European waters came under the authority of Naval Striking and Support Forces Nato.
Rear Admiral Erik Eslich, Commander of the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group, Carrier Strike Group 12, said: "Conducting integrated and high-intensity activities with our Allies and partners in various maritime environments is what keeps our carrier strike group well prepared, ready, and postured to collectively deter threats and defend the Alliance."
The RAF Lossiemouth Poseidon squadrons continue to work towards full operation capability, which includes the completion of training to support Nato Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and associated units.
They maintain a focus on interoperability training between allied maritime patrol aircraft and warships from the Nato alliance including task forces such as the USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group on their first combat deployment.
Earlier this month, the RAF announced a Poseidon, along with other British aircraft and naval vessels, was deployed to monitor and shadow a Russian task group sailing close to the UK.
The Royal Navy used HMS Defender to monitor the three-strong group of warships, while the RAF deployed aircraft to track the Russian forces.
Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were sent to assist in shadowing the group.
In a separate incident on 8 June, RAF Typhoons deployed to Estonia were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft that flew near Nato and Swedish air space.
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