Posted on 05/20/2013 2:26:51 PM PDT by Smartisan
U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (NNS) -- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) (IKE) is one of several U.S. Navy ships training British Sailors on large-deck flight operations as the United Kingdom prepares to launch the first Royal Navy aircraft carrier in more than 30 years.
The US-UK Long Lead Specialist Skills Program (LLSSP) commenced in early 2013 with British Sailors aboard IKE and Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). The program is an opportunity for British Sailors to regain operational experience at sea while their carriers are under construction.
"The training the guys have received on board is second to none," said Lt. Cmdr. Jon Llewellyn, aircraft handling and crash rescue firefighting staff officer at British fleet headquarters. "It's absolutely thorough, professional and valid. They're gaining experience out on the deck, which would be impossible for us to replicate in the UK at the moment."
The British carriers under construction are the result of a strategic defense review by the British government in 1998, which called for a return to aircraft carriers. The first of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers will be 65,000-ton HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), which will utilize the new F-35B Lightning II vertical take-off and landing aircraft. It is scheduled for sea trials in 2017.
LLSSP is training British Sailors in flight deck operations, maintenance and weapons handling to expose UK personnel to all facets of fixed wing and rotary wing aviation.
The program helps fulfill a joint-signed Statement of Intent on Enhanced Cooperation on Carrier Operations by the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the UK Secretary of State for Defence in January 2012. The statement of intent provides guidance to "ensure the generation, training, operation and sustainability of carrier forces are effective and reflect maximum interoperability and synergy of maritime power projection."
(Excerpt) Read more at navy.mil ...
You couldn’t permanently station a squadron of F35’s on the QE when she’s commissioned could you? It’ll have a bar if it helps make up your mind...
That should read, US F35 B’s...
No edit function?
I imagine there’s enough overlap between the ships designs to make this a good move. I’m completely “green” about ship technology.
Actually, there certainly ‘was’ enough commonality between the UK’s proposed carrier in the middle of an MoD flip-flop when it was going for a CATOBAR format, but last years decision to revert back to the STOVL carrier removed much of this.
Of course, being around a flight deck with jets and what have you zooming about is good experience regardless.
Of course, being around a flight deck with jets and what have you zooming about is good experience regardless.
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Yes, it does sharpen your senses as to paying attention to your surroundings, at ALL times.
I’m sure “situational awareness” counts for a lot!
Sounds like a man talking from experience. Hats off.
Agreed. Although our new carriers at 65000 tonnes will only embark a standard 12 F35 B’s, and the same again in Helo’s. Lots of space to play some five-a-side...
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