HMS Queen Elizabeth: British carrier strike group targets uninhabited tropical island in Pacific Ocean
HMS Queen Elizabeth and other UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) warships targeted an uninhabited tropical island in the Pacific Ocean as part of a two-day marksmanship training exercise.
Since leaving Portsmouth in May, HMS Queen Elizabeth has made several iconic transits, including the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.
She is currently participating in a series of multinational exercises with allies during a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific and back.
READ MORE: HMS Queen Elizabeth leads UK Carrier Strike Group in Philippine Sea
The CSG teamed up with Expeditionary Group 7 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Philippine Sea and together they struck the windswept island of Farallon De Medinilla.
The intensity of the exercises increased throughout the two-day training exercise, with air support from F-35s on the first day before the CSG ships arrived offshore the next morning and did not. establish communications.
(Image: UK Ministry of Defense)
The US Marines landed on the island and set up mortar positions, before establishing radio communications with the force of Allied ships spread out in the waters to the west of the island.
From there, the Marines sent radio targets to CSG’s HMS Kent, HMS Defender, and HNLMS Evertsen to launch bursts of fire from their naval cannon.
Exercises between the British Carrier Strike Group and the Expeditionary Carrier Strike Group 7 are currently underway.
“It has been a privilege to participate in this joint exercise which has shown how HMS Defender can integrate quickly and seamlessly into any multinational task group and contribute to the effect,” said Commander Vincent Owen, commander of the Defender.
“For HNLMS Evertsen this was a unique opportunity to conduct live joint fire with British and American partners,” said Royal Netherlands Navy Commander Rick Ongering, Evertsen commander.
“It is rare that this variety of nations and weapon systems have the opportunity to train together.
“It was great to witness the combined firepower of land, air and sea fire – a real show of force.”
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