Day 201:The Mediterranean 

Carrier Strike Group began its homeward journey this month, saying farewell to the Indo-Pacific, and celebrating a successful five-month mission through the region. Sailing from India, the Group headed towards the Red Sea for their final training stop.

The fleet successfully navigated the Suez Canal for the second time in its eight-month operation, allowing the UK and Norwegian forces of CSG25 to join NATO allies in the Mediterranean Sea for Exercise Falcon Strike.

The return stop to the Mediterranean set the stage for an important announcement: Carrier Strike Group had reached ‘Full Operating Capability,’ making it ‘mission-ready’ for NATO operations.

24 British F-35 jets joined the air forces of France, Greece, Italy, and the United States for two weeks of intensive air drills – through day and night. Over 1000 personnel and over 50 aircraft from five nations took part in the coordinated exercise, which also made history as the largest-ever number of fifth-generation fighters assembled on a Queen-Elizabeth class aircraft carrier. 

Remembrance Day was also on the agenda for Carrier Strike Group, with a memorial service held at the Souda Bay Commonwealth War Cemetery in Crete. Crew of the HMS Dauntless were joined by Minister for the Armed Forces, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, and Commodore James Blackmore at the site. Poppies were laid at the graves of service members who gave their lives defending the island.

Elsewhere, HMS Richmond joined the Greek Navy on anti-submarine training and sailed to Albania for a formal reception. And off the coast of Naples, UK Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, and Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper MP, hosted discussions with Italian officials on CSG25’s flagship carrier.

This marks the final leg of the Carrier Strike Group’s Operation Highmast, which began in April of this year. More than 4,500 British military personnel have contributed to the eight-month operation that has spanned the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to its allies and the strength of it defence capabilities.