General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord, has flown in a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet during his first visit to an American aircraft carrier.
The head of the Royal Navy embarked aboard USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest warship and flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12), as it conducted operations in the North Sea.
During the visit, Gen Sir Gwyn met Captain David Skarosi, Commanding Officer of the carrier, and Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, Commander of CSG-12. He also spoke with US sailors and aircrew from Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8), which is embarked on the vessel.
Strong UK–US Naval Ties
The visit highlighted the close cooperation between the Royal Navy and its US counterparts. British personnel are regularly embedded within American squadrons through long-running exchange programmes.
Gen Sir Gwyn met several Royal Navy personnel currently serving as CVW-8 pilots, as well as Lieutenant Colonel Mike Carty, the first Royal Marine to command the UK’s F-35B Lightning squadron, 617 Squadron, who also gained experience through the programme.
Flying with the Blacklions
The highlight of the trip saw the First Sea Lord suit up with Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (the Blacklions). He took the rear seat of a Super Hornet for a full combat sortie, including a dramatic catapult launch and arrested landing on the carrier’s flight deck.
The sortie marked a symbolic demonstration of the UK’s commitment to interoperability with its closest ally at sea and in the air.
USS Gerald R Ford is currently deployed with the US Sixth Fleet, operating in European waters.
