Moment huge explosion erupts in North Sea as British Navy commandos join F-35 fighter jets on live bombing run
THIS IS the moment a huge explosion erupts in the North Sea as Royal Marines join forces with F-35 fighter jets in a “potent combination”.
A powerful Royal Navy task group of stealth jets and warships has gathered off the coast of Scotland to carry out military drills for “Exercise Strike Warrior”.
The UK Carrier Strike Group, with HMS Prince of Wales as its focal point, is completing critical preparations for a major global deployment in 2025.
It is in preparation for the Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, which will send British warships, support vessels and jets across the world.
It will be the first mission of its kind since HMS Queen Elizabeth led a 49,000-mile mission to Japan and back in 2021.
In the latest development, the Royal Navy posted footage of Marines and aircraft on X, writing: “Ending the week with a bang… UK Commandos and F-35 jets are a potent combination.
“Special @Commando_Ops Observers have guided F-35 stealth fighters on a live bombing run from @HMSPWLS during Exercise #StrikeWarrior in the North Sea.”
A two-week operation, which started on October 14, will see the potent task group coming up against intensive warfare scenarios to test their ability to firstly protect HMS Prince of Wales and her air group, which will be carrying out flying operations throughout.
F-35B Lightning jets, frigates, destroyers, submarines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers, and helicopters have gone to the North Sea to test their ability to carry out operations seamlessly together.
The training exercise is supported by the RAF, which provides aircraft to support anti-submarine operations and test the air defence capability of the task group.
Running the exercise from HMS Prince of Wales is Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, and his battle staff, who carefully coordinate operations.
He said: “The UK’s Carrier Strike Group is the 1* battle staff that commands the fleet embarked on HMS Prince of Wales.
“I have command of highly capable assets and personnel, which provide a powerful capability across all domains from anti-air to cyber.
“This exercise is important because it will validate my team as a ‘Very High Readiness’ force, which means we can be ready to command a fleet with a few days’ notice.
“This is all in preparation for next year’s exercise across which will see us traverse the globe to achieve.
“Exercise Strike Warrior is an important milestone for 809 NAS, being the Squadron’s first return to sea since the Falklands conflict and an important stepping stone in developing our Initial Operational Capability.”
During Strike Warrior, HMS Prince of Wales will be surrounded by warships, including HMS Portland, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Dauntless and an Astute-class submarine, guarding her from a range of threats.
HMS Portland (Type 23 frigate) is working on countering threats beneath the waves in their primary role as submarine hunters, aided by Merlin helicopters and P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the RAF.
Type 45 destroyer Dauntless is bringing air defence to the task group, with her powerful Sampson radars and Sea Viper missiles acting as a shield from above.
These systems have proven their prowess against drones and missiles with HMS Diamond in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Royal Navy said.
An Astute-class hunter killer submarine has been lurking beneath the waves, capable of fending off adversary subs but also hitting targets with Tomahawk missiles.
The UK Carrier Strike Group is operating with NATO warships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1—the alliance’s premier task force in Northern European waters – throughout Strike Warrior.
The two task forces are testing tactics across a range of scenarios, including anti-submarine warfare, countering attacks from uncrewed systems, air defence exercises, pilot rescues and practising sailing through narrow straits while under threat.
While all of this takes place, F-35B jets from 809 Naval Air Squadron will be flying sorties, including carrying out mock long-range strikes into mainland Europe.
It is the first time Marham-based 809 have deployed on the carrier after standing up at the end of last year.
809 Naval Air Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Commander Nick Smith, said: “The F-35 Lightning Force, specifically the front-line units 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron, bring the headline Carrier Strike capability to the task group.
“The 5th Generation capability we bring ranges from projection of firepower ashore, to support of other theatre assets or defence of the task group.”