The UK’s F-35 Lightning jets will join Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales in the last week of April as they aim to declare full operating capability on a landmark mission to the Indo-Pacific.
The 65,000-tonne warship will deploy from Portsmouth on 22 April at the centre of the UK Carrier Strike Group and will be joined for her global mission – known as Operation Highmast – by F-35B jets of 809 Naval Air Squadron and 617 Squadron from RAF Marham.
During the mission, the Carrier Strike Group will operate closely with allies and partners across the world as they reaffirm the UK’s commitment to security in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific.
One of the central aims of the deployment is to declare full operating capability for the UK Lightning Force, a significant moment that means the aircraft and its associated support and engineering is working at its full potential to be able to deploy two squadrons wherever they are required in the world.
Lightning Air Wing Commander, Group Captain John Butcher, who is responsible for force generation and the safety of the force’s personnel during operations, said: “Operation Highmast signifies a major milestone for the Lightning Programme. It will realise full operating capability for F-35 in the UK with the ability to deploy two squadrons to the maritime operating base.
“We’re international by design on Operation Highmast and will be operating with key allies and partners, with a key focus on NATO as we operate in Europe and having a real role to play in the Indo-Pacific with key allies and partners.”
He added: “This is an important milestone which culminates after years of efforts and it will be the realisation of us to deploy two squadrons to different locations in the world at land or sea and to deliver air effect. Fifth generation air power is important for us to be able to control the air in a contested environment and by having two squadrons capable of delivering this it provides more options.”
For 809 Naval Air Squadron, it will be their first operational deployment since they stood-up in December 2023 after a four-decade absence.
The Immortals will join their sister front-line F-35 squadron, the iconic 617 Squadron The Dambusters, aboard HMS Prince of Wales for Highmast, which will include extensive training and exercises with allies and partners who also fly the cutting-edge aircraft.
Commander Nick Smith, Officer Commanding of 809 Naval Air Squadron, said: “809 Naval Air Squadron work very closely as part of the UK combat air force, working really for the RAF but also we’re a key link to the Royal Navy particular when it comes to delivering air power at sea.
“Working alongside our partner squadron 617, we deliver front-line fifth generation capability when and where required by the UK government. At a time when the world is as unsettled as it is right now it’s hugely important that we get out and exercise with our allies and F-35 partners to prove the capability that we have in UK Defence. Deploying to the Indo-Pacific region will obviously give us the opportunity to exercise alongside our allies particularly the Australians and Japanese forces who operate F-35 alongside us. The programme is global by design and gives us an excellent opportunity to work with each other very closely to understand and develop our tactics, techniques and procedures to make sure we’re as lethal and deployable as possible.”
The squadrons are made up 50% RAF and 50% Royal Navy, with 617 Squadron led by the first Royal Marine to have command of a UK fighter squadron.
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Carty Royal Marines, Officer Commanding of 617, said: “This for myself is an incredible privilege and honour to take the reins as Officer Commanding 617 Squadron. It’s also unique for UK Defence but what it shows is the joint nature of the squadron and how we integrate between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Operation Highmast is an incredibly important deployment. For 617 Squadron is gives us the ability to hone our skills across a variety of mission sets and allows us to develop operationally alongside allies and partners.”
Source RN
