HMS PRINCE OF WALES LEADS CARRIER GROUP INTO NORTH ATLANTIC

HMS Prince of Wales left Portsmouth Naval Base in Hampshire on Sunday to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a deployment to the Arctic and North Atlantic. Dozens of people waved and took photographs as the aircraft carrier left the harbour. The deployment begins the second phase of Operation Firecrest, which the Royal Navy says will focus on readiness, training and work with NATO allies. The Royal Navy said the carrier’s deployment alongside those allies “is a powerful shield for the nation”. It said the operation aims to help secure energy, trade and communication links in the region.

The Royal Navy said more than 1,200 British personnel are deploying with the Carrier Strike Group. They will work with forces from Norway, Denmark and Germany on operations designed to test how the allies operate together. HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, is also part of the deployment. The carrier’s air group includes F-35 jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando and Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy drones. The Royal Navy said its stealth fighter jets would return to the skies over the High North.

Commodore Richard Hewitt commands the UK Carrier Strike Group staff. “I am delighted to return to the Arctic and North Atlantic as we build on the successes of the first phase of Operation Firecrest,” he said. Hewitt said the group would train and operate with NATO allies and partners during the deployment. HMS Prince of Wales will host military and political leaders in Oslo for gatherings focused on Northern Europe’s security. The Atlantic Future Forum and International Sea Power Conference will bring together defence leaders, industry representatives and policymakers to discuss Euro-Atlantic security.