Royal Navy aviation in the 60s.-

To be, or not to be.-

Visiting Pax.-

Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Defence United Kingdom, visited Naval Air Station Patuxent River Md., May 1, 2013 to witness an F-35B execute a short takeoff and vertical landing. Following the flight, Mr. Hammond and U.K. National Deputy for the JSF Group Captain Harv Smyth commented on the aircraft's capability and what it will mean for British industry.

Voyage south.-

Facing the Royal Navy.-

Flying against Royal Navy ships, simulating a missile attack.

Sport Time.-

Eight O One.-

Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.-

British lightning.-

British operational military pilots have begun flying what is being touted as the world's most advanced stealth fighter jet, the F-35. But even as they take to the skies, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has given the clearest indication yet that the UK may not now buy all the jets it had planned.

Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Mr Hammond pledged that the first 48 aircraft on order at a cost of around £100m each would be bought to service the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers from 2020. But he would not commit to a further 90 planes, which had originally been proposed. He said: "It's dependent on politics, money and the state of the world, but it's also dependent on what is not yet clearly known, what the mix between manned fighter jets and unmanned aircraft is going to be."

Mr Hammond said there were two trains of thought, one suggesting an 80/20 split of manned to unmanned aircraft in future, the other suggesting the exact opposite. He said the final decision would determine how many manned F-35s the UK could buy.

The Defence Secretary interrupted a visit to Washington to meet his recently appointed US counterpart Chuck Hagel and fly to the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in Maryland where the F-35, or the Lightning II as it will be known in Britain, is being tested. Mr Hammond looked on as former Harrier pilot Pete "Wizzer" Wilson, who now works for defence contractor BAE Systems, which is part of the project team for the F-35, demonstrated the 'B' variant of the aircraft, which is capable of a short take-off and vertical landing.



In Florida at Eglin Air Force Base in the northwest of the state, the first UK military operational pilots began flying the F-35B just six weeks ago. There are only two of them - Lt Commander Ian "Tidders" Tidball from the Royal Navy and Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler from the RAF. Both have vast experience on other types of fast jets - Lt Cdr Tidball on Sea Harriers and F-18s, Sqn Ldr Bulcher on the Jaguar and latterly Typhoon aircraft.

After frustrating delays due to problems with the test aircraft and then the weather, both British pilots are now qualified to fly the F-35. Lt Cdr Tidball told after his qualifying flight: "Having come back from the Harrier and F-18, the aircraft handles absolutely exceptionally, very responsive even in these bumpy conditions."

Sqn Ldr Buchler is also a fan of the new jet, parts of which are still classified and Sky News was not allowed to film. He said: "It's awesome, a boyhood dream. I've always wanted to fly the best fast jets in the world and here we are with a fantastic platform and I'm lucky enough to be one of the first guys from the UK flying it. It's better than working for a living."

The British pilots fly two of the three UK jets so far delivered. But it will be another five years before the first squadron, based at RAF Marham, is set up on UK soil. In the meantime, 17 Squadron will be the first UK unit to fly the F-35B out of Edwards Air Force base in California from next year.

The F-35 programme comprises three variants in all. The A model is the "base" model and will be flown predominantly by the US Air Force, the B variant, which the UK is buying, will also be flown by the US Marine Corps, while the C or carrier variant, is adapted with "cat and trap" equipment to fly on and off American aircraft carriers.

The bulk of the projected orders will come from the US - close to 2,500 planes - with the UK originally due to buy 138 in total and the other "partner" nations, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, Denmark and Norway, due to buy about 500 between them.

The projections from Lockheed Martin, the lead contractor, suggest that including sales to other "coalition" countries there will be 3,922 F-35s sold during its planned 30-year production run. That's good news for the UK economy too, because 15% by value of each sale comes to these shores, largely through the contribution of BAE Systems in Lancashire, where much of the tail of every F-35 is manufactured.

The biggest danger to the programme at the moment is the immense cost, estimated at £2.5bn so far, given that defence budgets across the world, particularly in the West, are being slashed.

At deck level.-

Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer.

Cross Deck.-

El HMS Ark Royal recibe los aparatos del USS Enterprise.

At her Majesty's service (One).-

Photo By Paul A. Barrow.

Aircrew members of 771 Naval Air Squadron walk from their Sea King helicopter following an exercise.


Photo By Martin Carney.

A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter overflies a Royal Marine Landing craft during an Olympic security exercise near Weymouth, Dorset.



Photo By Ray Jones.

Merlin helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron are pictured onboard HMS Illustrious during Exercise Joint Warrior near Scotland. 814 Naval Air Squadron – better known throughout the Navy as the Flying Tigers (hence their striking badge) – flies from ships and air bases around the world shielding the Fleet from submarines. They also take it in turns with their sister squadron 820 to support the international effort against illegal activities on the high seas east of Suez – that’s piracy, people-trafficking, smuggling, drug-running and terrorism. 

Photo By Caroline Davies.

A Royal Navy helicopter pilot with the Fleet Air Arm prays for good weather prior to a flypast for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London.

Photo By Dave Jenkins.

A line of Royal Navy Hawk trainer jets are pictured at RNAS Yeovilton sporting the livery of the 100th Anniversay of flying in the Royal Navy.

Photo By Mez Merrill.

A Royal Marine from the Commando Helicopter Force Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) directs Sea King Mk4 helos into a helicopter landing site (HLS) during Exercise Scottish Lion.

Photo By Stewart Paterson.

A Royal Air Force Typhoon jet is refuelled at RAF Northolt in Middlesex at the start of Exercise Olympic Guardian.

Photo By Pete Mobbs.

A Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 prepares for takeoff from Gioia Del Colle airbase in Italy during Operation Ellamy, the UN backed operation to secure the skies over Libya in 2011. The Tornado GR4 is a variable geometry, two-seat, day or night, all-weather attack aircraft capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons. Powered by two Rolls-Royce RB 199 Mk 103 turbofan engines, the GR4 is capable of low-level supersonic flight and can sustain a high subsonic cruise speed. The aircraft can fly automatically at low level using Terrain Following Radar (TFR) when poor weather prevents visual flight.

The aircraft is also equipped with Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) and is Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible. This gives it a relatively unique all weather night capability as well as making it an impressive platform for mounting passive night electro-optical operations.

For navigation purposes, the Tornado is equipped with an integrated Global Positioning Inertial Navigation System (GPINS). The GR4 also has a Ground Mapping Radar (GMR) to identify fix-points and update navigation systems as well as providing an air to air search facility.

The GR4 is also equipped with a Laser Ranger and Marked Target Seeker (LRMTS) that can be used to locate targets designated on the ground or can provide accurate range information to ground targets.

Photo By Russ Nolan.

A paratrooper waits for the signal to jump from a Hercules aircraft. Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade are training to maintain their role as the British Army's Rapid Reaction Force.

More than 1600 troops were taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior in southwest Scotland. The training is a key step in maintaining the skills necessary for the Airborne Task Force (ABTF) role, which sees the Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade ready to deploy anywhere in the world at five days notice. The exercise scenario saw the area of West Freugh airfield representing part of an area disputed by two fictional nations named Pastonia and Dragonia, which were divided by economic and ethnic factors.

The scenario represented complex challenges for the international community requiring NATO to send a rapid intervention force to the area to create the conditions for a United Nations peacekeeping force to take control. The UK's ABTF used a combination of parachute, air assault, and tactical air landings to rapidly insert the troops into the disputed area.

Once inserted the ABTF, based around the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS) Battle Group, continued to defend the airfield. The Battle Group also developed the airfield into a base from which several air assault operations could be launched to defeat the enemy force, create stable conditions for the population, and potentially evacuate UK civilians.

Photo By Ray Jones.

Flight deck crews onboard HMS Illustrious battle a snowstorm to clear the deck of snow and ice. HMS Illustrious was operating off the coast of Norway taking part in Exercise Cold Response. The ship was supposed to be embarking Royal Marines this afternoon from K Company, 42 Commando, but the weather took a turn for the worse. Driving snow brought the flight deck to a standstill and all flying operations were postponed until further notice.

The flight deck crews and aircraft maintainers had to battle high winds and blizzard conditions to secure the aircraft to the deck before retreating inside for a well earned cup of tea.

Photo By Simmo Simpson.

A Kuwaiti F18 Hornet fighter aircraft stages an attack on Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans as a member of the ships protection force, trains a mini gun on the fast moving target during an exercise in the Middle East.

As HMS ST Albans made passage en route to Kuwait, the ship took part in a Passex (Passage Exercise) with Kuwaiti forces. The ship came under attack from Kuwaiti F18 Hornet jets prior to providing a Kuwaiti Supe Puma helicopter a platform to practice winching drills.

HMS St Albans was deployed to the Middle East for 6 months carrying out Counter Terrorism, Anti Narcotics and Anti Piracy operations before returning to the UK in December 2011.

Photo By Russ Nolan.

Captain Harry Wales prepares his Apache helicopter prior to a training mission in the USA.

Exercise Crimson Eagle is the final conversion training for Army Air Corps Apache pilots, the first part takes place in Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, California, before moving to Gila Bend in Arizona for the live firing phase. The terrain for the exercise is very similar to that of Afghanistan, making it extremely realistic and demanding for the pilots.

Photo By Dave Blackburn.

A Royal Air Force GR4 Tornado aircraft awaits permission to take off from Kandahar Airfield during Operation Moshtarak in Afghanistan. Tornado GR4 aircraft from 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, based at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan played a vital role in the ISAF Operation MOSHTARAK. The aircraft are provided close air support for ISAF troops on the ground and imagery to aid battle commanders and identify possible Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Photo By Dave Sterratt.

Trainee Royal Navy aircrew are pictured during a lecture onboard RFA Argus. Their detachment to the ship was the final hurdle before earning their wings as pilots, observers and aircrewmen in the Fleet Air Arm.

Photo By Phil Major.

A Royal Air Force aircrewman sits in the back of a Puma helicopter during Exercise Askari Thunder over Northern Kenya.

Since the Royal Air Force Puma Force completed its role on operations in Iraq in the Summer of 2009, it has been providing dedicated aviation support to British Army training on Exercise ASKARI THUNDER in northern Kenya. Exercise ASKARI THUNDER is a major stepping stone for the Army’s pre-deployment training for Afghanistan. Aviation support to this exercise is provided by the Joint Helicopter Force (Kenya) (JHF(K)), which comprises a joint command structure, primarily operating RAF Puma helicopters.

The home base for JHF(K) is elevated some 6200ft above mean sea level at the Kenyan Air Force’s Laikipia Air Base. With a generally hot and dry climate that includes two rainy seasons, conditions are testing. The Exercise area covers a range of environments from the dense Jungle of Kathendini to the relatively high mountains which surround the extensive plains of the Great Rift Valley. Conditions in the areas of the plains and mountains are very similar to those found in Afghanistan.

The extensive Kenyan-managed live-firing range at Archers Post provides a realistic backdrop for integrated tactical and live-fire preparatory training; a five-hour drive from the basic medical facilities at NSG (Nanyuki Show Ground) and a further four hours from Nairobi. Soldiers deploy for a minimum of two weeks to Archers Post and throughout this time it is inevitable that there will be a requirement for medical treatment due to the nature of the environment in which they are training. The availability of JHF(K) support is therefore critical to enabling the arduous live-fire training to take place with the comfort of a rapid casualty transfer from the point of wounding to the most suitable medical facility.

Photo By Pete Devine.

A Royal Air Force Typhoon pilot climbs into the cockpit at the end of Operation Ellamy in 2011. The last 4 Royal Air Force FGR4 Typhoons left the Italian '36 Stormo' air base at Gioia del Colle in Southern Italy after completing a successful deployment.

The Typhoons of 3(F)Squadron were deployed on Operation Ellamy as part of the UK contribution to NATO's Operation Unified Protector which enforces UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which aims to protect Libyan civilians from the Qadhafi regime.

The Typhoons formed part of 906 Expeditionary Air Wing (906 EAW). IX personnel saw off the jets from the pan at Gioia del Colle; 3(F) Squadron personnel left theatre earlier in the morning.

Photo By Andy Benson.

Members of II Squadron RAF Regiment and the US Marine Corps board a US Osprey aircraft at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The Coalition troops deployed on Operation Backfoot, a combined operation to disrupt insurgent activity in Helmand province.

A Joint UK/US/Afghan operation south of Bastion Airfield involving 2 Squadron, RAF Regiment, has found and destroyed a large cache of Taliban IED-making equipment which was ready to be used in attacks against Afghan and ISAF forces.

Operation Dishata Pasha (Pashtu for Backfoot) was launched at dawn on Monday (Feb 6), with RAF Regiment troops under command of Sqn Ldr Jules Weekes (33), Officer Commanding 2 Sqn, RAF Regiment. The force also included warriors from Afghan Army’s 3rd Brigade and US Marines from 2 Marine Expeditionary Force.

The force deployed by US Osprey aircraft, with its unique tilt-rotor capability, and the operation resulted in the find and destruction of a suspected insurgent IED cache close to Bastion Airfield in Helmand Province. The force also scooped a wealth of intelligence despite coming under fire several times.

The operation took place in the Dasht (or desert) south of Bastion Airfield, whose protection is the task of 2 Squadron, operating as part of 3 RAF Force Protection Wing. The Dasht is a sparse landscape of rolling fields and scrub dotted with compounds and is increasingly being used as a harbour area by Taliban forces who have come under pressure elsewhere by successful coalition operations.

Photo By Mez Merrill.

The pilot and co-pilot at the controls of a Royal Navy Seaking Mk4 helicopter whilst on operations over Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons normally based with Commando Helicopter Force at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, flying as part of the Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan in support of current operations in Afghanistan.

Photo By RayJones.

An Army Air Corps Apache helicopter is pictured being lifted from the hangar to the deck onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Two Apache helicopters from 664 Squadron, Army Air Corps embarked for a two week training package, to enable pilots and ground crews to acclimatise to working in a maritime environment. They were joined by a Chinook from 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force which flew out to the ship for a few hours deck landing practice.

Photo By Mark Dixon.

A Royal Air Force Hawk pilot from 208 Squadron walks away from his aircraft to a post sortie debrief at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.