American F-35 Jets Operate from British Carrier During Pacific Exercise

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U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jets have conducted take offs and landings aboard the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales for the first time during the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. The milestone comes as part of Operation High mast, the UK’s flagship naval deployment of the year, and marks a significant step forward in allied carrier interoperability.

The British carrier, operating in the Indo Pacific, hosted the American fifth generation aircraft as part of joint operations with forces from the United States, Canada, Norway, and New Zealand. The collaboration underscores increasing coordination between allied navies as regional security dynamics shift and emphasis grows on collective readiness.

During the operation, U.S. and UK pilots executed a series of flight deck manoeuvres under a range of operational conditions. The exercises included take offs, landings, and refuelling on the carrier’s deck, designed to evaluate deck cycle performance and mission turnaround capability using stealth aircraft in live mission configurations.

The integration of American jets on a British carrier showcases growing alignment in maritime aviation capabilities. It also reflects a broader UK strategy to enhance its presence in the Indo Pacific, supporting freedom of navigation and reinforcing defence partnerships under frameworks such as AUKUS and NATO.

HMS Prince of Wales, one of the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth class carriers, is central to Britain’s ambitions for sustained global deployment. The participation of U.S. aircraft in deck operations signals the vessel’s adaptability as a launch platform for allied forces in complex maritime environments.

Defence officials view this development as a major advancement in allied carrier operations and a demonstration of readiness to deter shared threats. The joint drills illustrate how U.S. and UK forces are refining air and sea integration to support rapid deployment and coalition task force operations across multiple theatres.

As Operation High Mast continues, further combined exercises involving American and British forces are expected. The successful integration of U.S. aircraft aboard a British warship sets a precedent for future missions and highlights the expanding role of multinational naval cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.