Aircraft carrier strike groups assemble for a colossal NATO exercise

Carrier strike groups from the US Navy and the British Royal Navy have converged on the North Sea for a colossal 14-day NATO exercise.

The British Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and NATO allies, is participating in the British-led ‘Exercise Strike Warrior’ to ensure combat readiness for future combat operations.

Exercise Strike Warrior officially started off the coast of Scotland on October 14, 2024 and will last until October 25, 2024. Warships from Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark will also participate.

The Royal Navy fleet will include the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, along with F-35B Lightning fighter jets, HMS Portland, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Dauntless and an Astute-class submarine.

Royal Navy

According to the Royal Navy, HMS Portland (Type 23 frigate) will operate in its primary role as a submarine hunter, aided by Merlin helicopters and P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The F-35B jets of 809 Naval Air Squadron will fly flights, including long-range mock attacks on mainland Europe.

809 Naval Air Squadron Commander, Commander Nick Smith, said: “The F-35 Lightning Force, particularly the frontline units 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron, bring key Carrier Strike capability to the task group. The 5th generation capabilities we bring in range from shore-based firepower projection to support of other theater assets or task force defense.”

On October 14, 2024, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) transited the Straits of Dover into the North Sea after a series of warfighting training scenarios off the Azores and North Africa.

US Navy

The carrier strike group consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman, Carrier Air Wing 1 with nine embarked aviation squadrons and Destroyer Squadron 28, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham.

U.S. Strike Group Commander Admiral Sean Bailey said: “We will work with our NATO allies and partners to strengthen our collective readiness, defense and deterrence. No country can meet today’s challenges alone, and we look forward to demonstrating our interoperability.”

NATO warships from the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, the alliance’s main task force in northern European waters, will also take part in exercises.

Together with its allies, Maritime Group 1 will test tactics in a range of scenarios, including anti-submarine warfare, countering attacks from unmanned systems, air defense exercises and pilot rescues, plus practice sailing through narrow straits while under threat.

4th ship to sail from #Glasgow today, for exercise Strike Warrior, the Portuguese SNMG1 Frigate NRP DOM FRANCISCO DE ALMEIDA

Adeus 🇵🇹 👋 @MarinhaPT @NATO_MARCOM @COM_SNMG1 @PeelPorts @CasperDefense #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/9x0MBejIXZ

— Royal Navy in Scotland (@RNinScotland) October 14, 2024

The exercise is led from HMS Prince of Wales by Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the British Carrier Strike Group.

He said: “The British Carrier Strike Group is the 1* battle staff commanding the fleet aboard HMS Prince of Wales. I command highly capable assets and personnel, providing a powerful capability in all domains from anti-aircraft to cyber. This exercise is important because it will validate my team as a ‘Very High Readiness’ force, meaning we can be ready to command a fleet on just a few days’ notice. This is all in preparation for next year’s exercise where we will travel across the world to achieve this.”

The Royal Navy is currently preparing for a major global deployment in 2025, which will see British warships, support ships and fighter jets deployed around the world.