USA

In pictures: General Sir Gwyn Jenkins takes to the skies on first visit to US Navy aircraft carrier

Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins suits up ahead of an F/A-18F Super Hornet flight — Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins suits up ahead of a F/A-18F Super Hornet flight (Picture: DVIDS)

The First Sea Lord performed a seat check, prior to taking flight — The First Sea Lord performed a seat check prior to taking flight (Picture: DVIDS)

Gen Sir Jenkins conducted pre flight checks with Lt Cmdr Chris Kapuschansky, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 213 — Gen Jenkins conducted pre-flight checks with Lieutenant Commander Chris Kapuschansky, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (Picture: DVIDS)

The Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, sat on the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford — The Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, sits on the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (Picture: DVIDS)

Gen Sir Gwyn receives pre flight checks from the Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 213, Cmdr Kevin Swift — Gen Sir Gwyn receives pre-flight checks from the Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 213, Commander Kevin Swift (Picture: DVIDS)

The F/A-18F Super Hornet gears up to take flight (Picture: DVIDS)

The aircraft has a top speed of approximately Mach 1.6, which translates to around 1,190 miles per hour (Picture: DVIDS)

Gen Sir Gwyn took part in a full sortie - including a catapult launch and arrested recovery — Gen Sir Gwyn took part in a full sortie, including a catapult launch and arrested recovery (Picture: DVIDS)

All smiles as he is congratulated following his flight — Gen Jenkins is all smiles as he is congratulated following his flight (Picture: DVIDS)

In addition, he spoke with Captain David Skarosi, Commanding Officer of the USS Gerald R Ford — In addition, Gen Sir Gwyn spoke to Captain David Skarosi, Commanding Officer of USS Gerald R Ford (Picture: DVIDS)

Left, Commanding Officer of USS Gerald R Ford and right, Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, Commander of Carrier Strike Group 12 — Commanding Officer of USS Gerald R Ford, left, and, right, Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, Commander of Carrier Strike Group 12 (Picture: DVIDS)

On his first visit to a US Navy aircraft carrier since becoming First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins took flight in an F/A-18F Super Hornet and met the crew aboard the world's largest warship as it operated in the North Sea.

USS Gerald R Ford, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12), is currently deployed with the US Sixth Fleet.

Gen Sir Gwyn met Captain David Skarosi, the Commanding Officer of USS Gerald R Ford and Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, Commander of CSG-12, while on board the ship, as well as US crew and personnel from the embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8).

In addition, Gen Sir Gwyn also met with Royal Navy personnel serving as CVW-8 pilots through international exchange programs.

Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots are regularly embedded within both US Navy/Marine Corps and US Air Force squadrons.

Notably, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Carty – the first Royal Marine to command the UK's F-35B Lightning fifth-generation combat aircraft unit, 617 Squadron – also took part in this exchange programme.

The highlight of his visit came when Gen Jenkins suited up to fly with Strike Fighter Squadron 213 – known as the Blacklions – and took the rear seat of a F/A-18F Super Hornet for a full sortie, including a catapult launch and arrested recovery.