Royal Navy aircraft carrier takes centre stage at the heart of mighty naval task force
No F-35B Lightnings are embarked - perhaps due to the slow build up of the RAF/RN force? She is still working with them and directing them against simulated hostile aircraft. I assume that the jets will be embarked on other exercises and deployments this year. HMS
Prince of Wales is however carrying Merlin HM2s. One of my annoyances is the simplistic way that the ASW Merlins are frequently described as being for the defence of the carrier, as opposed to the protection of the task/strike group as a whole, and any forces being escorted or supported. The authors of the news items on the RN website sometimes get it right, and Twitter updates can be correctly worded too.
At the start of last years CSG21 deployment:
Merlin squadron commanding officer speaks of Carrier Strike Group pride
In terms of the number of people we need to operate those aircraft, we will have approximately 60 aircrew and about 130 engineers and other support staff. That will give us the ability to fly aircraft 24 hours a day with between two and three lines, constantly supporting and protecting the carrier and the strike group.”
After the WESTLANT19 deployment:
The Type 23 (
Northumberland) in the surface group also has a Merlin HM2 and a towed array sonar, and the USS
Roosevelt carries a pair of MH-60R. The carrier will also coordinate their operations. RAF P-8 Poseidons will also be part of the exercise so we can say that ASW is a major part of the exercise. We can also say that the surface group is there to protect the amphibious group.
Watch this space...