RAF F-35B Lightnings from 617 Squadron have participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise 2021, a multilateral maritime partnership exercise involving the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and U.S. maritime forces.
The exercise saw 617 Squadron train with Carrier Air Wing Two, a United States Navy Air Wing from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
Joining the UK F-35B from 617 Squadron were United States Navy and Marine Corps aircraft:
- F-35C from Strike Fighter Squadron 147
- F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 192
- E/A-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 136
- E-2D Hawkeye from Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113
- F/A-18F from Strike Fighter Squadron 2
- F/A-18E from Strike Fighter Squadron 113
- F-35B from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211.
In a potent display of air and sea power a formation of aircraft was flown over the flotilla of ships including the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga, and the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The exercise focused on several areas, including naval cooperation, interoperability, regional security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
