British Royal Navy commanders say the U.K.’s newest carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth helps to need on the “lion’s share” of operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq.
U.K.’s Newest Carrier Joins IS Fight, Stirs Russian Interest
A crewman makes a symbol to F-35 aircraft for begin on the U.K.’s carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth within the Mediterranean on Sunday, June 20, 2021. British Royal Navy commanders say the U.K.’s newest carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth helps to need on the “lion’s share” of operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq as Russian warplanes get an up-close inspect the cutting-edge F-35 jet during a “cat-and-mouse” game with British and U.S. pilots. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EASTERN Mediterranean (AP) — Britain’s newest carrier , HMS Queen Elizabeth, helps to need on the “lion’s share” of operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq, U.K. naval commanders said. it is also piqued the interest of Russian warplanes, who plan to keep tabs on its cutting-edge F-35 jet during a “cat-and-mouse” game with British and U.S. pilots.
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Speaking aboard the 65,000-ton carrier on its first-ever deployment, Commodore Steve Moorhouse said the U.K. is completing most of the missions to wipe out the remnants of IS in Iraq because the U.S. focuses on its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“At the moment , we’re taking up the lion’s share of that operation over Iraq, which can be an incredible , say, feather in our cap. But an achievement that ‘A’, we’re trusted and ‘B’, that we’re able to do that ,” Moorhouse told reporters Sunday.
It’s the first time that a U.K. carrier is supporting live military operations on rock bottom in over 20 years , projecting British military power on a worldwide scale. Moorhouse said the carrier offers the U.K. flexibility within the thanks to conduct military operations abroad and “keeps people that wish to cause us harm … on their toes.”
He said the eastern Mediterranean has become more “congested and contested” over the last decade in light of the heavier Russian military presence in Syria, which is resulting in regular encounters with Russian ships and warplanes.
“We’re rubbing up against Russian activity, not during a you recognize , during a dangerous or aggressive manner, but you’ve just got people out here playing in what’s a tough and fast piece of water and airspace,” said Moorhouse, adding that a Russian warship has come within 10 kilometers (16 miles) of the carrier.
The commodore insisted that Russian, British and U.S. pilots have a “healthy respect for one another” and their conduct has been “absolutely professional” since the carrier started anti-IS operations on June 18.
“But there is a reality once you purchase yourself a fifth-generation carrier and you are taking it around the world … people have an interest in it,” he added.
Captain James Blackmore, who commands the eight British F-35 jets and thus the ten helicopters aboard the carrier, said U.K. and Russian pilots have come within “visual distance” of each other.
“It’s that cat-and-mouse posturing, it’s what we expect during this region of world. And as you’ll imagine, it’s the first time for F-35s into the eastern Mediterranean,” said Blackmore. “So, actually Russia wants to look at what they’re like, they have to look at what our carriers are like.”
The state-of-the art F-35, armed with air-to-air missiles and laser-guided bombs, is getting used over Iraq to look for other aircraft or unmanned drones, support troops on rock bottom also on perform surveillance with its sophisticated sensor and radar systems.
“It’s a fifth-generation aircraft with a hugely, hugely capable radar and sensor suite, and that’s what it brings. So it’s the eyes and ears that it’s offering out there,” said Moorhouse.
The HMS Queen Elizabeth and its support ships, which include the U.S. destroyer The Sullivans, will remain within the eastern Mediterranean for two to three weeks before moving through the Suez Canal to continue with a 7 1/2 -month deployment to India, South Korea and Japan.
The carrier also has 10 U.S. F-35 jets from the Marine Corps’ Fighter Attack Squadron 211 aboard that perform operations under British command.
