Led by Commodore Blackmore and the Nation’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales the UK’s Premier Naval deployment of 2025 is now underway
The deployment begins with around 2,500 military personnel – roughly 2,100 Britons, 200 Norwegians and a similar number of Canadians, and Spanish – rising to over 4,500 for some of the key exercises as the force reaches the Indo-Pacific.
“International by design”, the task group will be joined in the Channel by two Norwegian vessels – tanker HNoMS Maud and frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen – coming directly from Norway, where Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell wished crews well as they departed Bergen.
Frigate HMS Richmond and Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec, sailed from Plymouth, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidespring will complete the strike group in its initial format.
In the next few days the group will embark a potent combination of up to 24 F-35B fifth-generation strike fighters and squadrons of attack, troop-carrying and anti-submarine helicopters, plus drones, all supported by around 750 personnel in the air wing alone.
The UK’s premier naval deployment of 2025 is underway as ships departed ports in England and Norway, led by the nation’s flagship. Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was waved off by thousands of well-wishers and family of the 1,600 souls aboard, who lined Portsmouth’s historic waterfront as friends and loved ones have done for decades. She was followed out of harbour a few hours later by destroyer HMS Dauntless, beginning an eight-month mission to demonstrate UK and allied collective resolve and determination to maintain security and freedom from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Between now and December, the Carrier Strike Group will conduct a series of exercises and operations with air, sea and land forces of a dozen allies in the Mediterranean, Middle East, South-east Asia, Japan and Australia. This is the second deployment of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group. The first, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021, took place against the backdrop of a world in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic.
The Mission
The 2025 mission, known as Operation Highmast and commanded by Commodore James Blackmore and his staff from aboard HMS Prince of Wales, occurs with a changed world order and even more volatile geo-political situation.
• to declare the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers with all their constituent parts fully operational;
• to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to NATO;
• and maintain international security and prosperity.
Commodore James Blackmore
Commodore James embodies the essence of modern naval leadership, commanding with precision, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. A seasoned aviator and strategist, his career reflects an extraordinary journey of dedication and mastery across the Royal Navy’s most advanced platforms. His leadership has not only elevated the operational capabilities of the Carrier Strike Group but has also reinforced the United Kingdom’s maritime strength on the global stage.
Commodore Blackmore speaks passionately about the power and versatility of the Royal Navy, emphasizing its ability to operate seamlessly across all domains—from the depths of the oceans to the expanse of cyberspace. He underscores that the Carrier Strike Group stands as a symbol of resilience and readiness, capable of deterring threats, projecting power, and fostering international partnerships.
He has described deployments of the Carrier Strike Group as vital to securing global stability and demonstrating the Royal Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rules-based international order. These missions embody a spirit of collaboration, deterrence, and preparedness, showcasing the United Kingdom as a steadfast leader in maintaining peace and security. His leadership ensures that the Carrier Strike Group remains a beacon of strength, adaptability, and global influence, protecting the nation’s interests and advancing its values on the world stage.
I am delighted to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group encompassing Sailors, Marine, Soldiers and Aviators from across the UK and allied armed forces,” Commodore Blackmore said. Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to NATO and the rules-based international order. This will reaffirm that the UK is secure at home and strong abroad and reinforce the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”
Credits: News & Photos
