Carrier Strike Group 21
Reflecting on CSG21 with the USMC's F-35B-equipped VMFA-211
Equipped with British and American F-35Bs, HMS Queen Elizabeth successfully completed her first operational deployment in December 2021. US Navy Lt Cdr Rick Burgess (Ret) details the mission through the eyes of VMFA-211 – the USMC F-35B unit that embarked on the carrier – and how it further strengthened the UK-US alliance
British F-35B crashes in the Mediterranean
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter, assigned to No 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea
US Navy F/A-18E refuels RAF F-35Bs for the first time
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to the RAF’s No 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ have conducted buddy-buddy air-to-air refuelling operations with a US Navy-operated Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet for the first time
Behind-the-scenes on CSG21 with HMS Queen Elizabeth's Commander Air Wing
We caught up with Capt James 'Blackers' Blackmore - the Carrier Air Wing Commander aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) - to uncover more about the carrier's maiden deployment
South Korean UH-60Ps land on HMS Queen Elizabeth
Republic of Korea Navy-operated Sikorsky UH-60P Black Hawks landed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) for the first time this week during an at-sea Defence Engagement
CSG21: VMFA-211 F-35Bs conduct cross-deck training with USS America
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to the USMC's VMFA-211 'Wake Island Avengers' conducted a first-of-its-kind operation on August 20, when the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters launched from the HMS Queen Elizabeth and landed aboard the USS America, to load ordnance, refuel and strike follow-on objectives
EXCLUSIVE: HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commander Air Wing talks from the Philippine Sea
Around three months into its first operational deployment, the UK Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), and the wider Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) have conducted a combined total of 2,700 hours from 32 fixed- and rotary wing aircraft
CSG21: Embarked F-35B fighters have 80% availability
The combined UK and US F-35B air wing embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the Carrier Strike Group 21 deployment has an 80% availability rate, however sustainment questions continue to surround the US-led stealth fighter programme
Russia teases HMS Queen Elizabeth with MiG-31K, Tu-22M3 deployments
Russian bombers were training for a maritime war off the coast of Syria in late June, just as HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in the eastern Mediterranean
CSG21: F-35s conduct first combat missions from HMS Queen Elizabeth
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs embarked aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth have conducted their first combat missions in support of the fight against so-called Islamic State, marking a new first for the Royal Navy’s new flagship aircraft carrier