Aircraft Carriers From The U.K., Italy, And Spain Are Now Operating Under NATO Command

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Royal Navy flagship under Nato command for first time as she leads UK Carrier Strike Group © HMS Queen Elizabeth carried out an intense training exercise alongside the Norwegian submarine HNoMS Utstein. Picture: Royal Navy.  

Portsmouth News: HMS Queen Elizabeth: Royal Navy flagship under Nato command for first time as she leads UK Carrier Strike Group 

The Royal Navy’s biggest warship is under Nato command for the first time as she resumes her deployment. 

HMS Queen Elizabeth is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) and will operate across a vast area of multiple seas. The task force also comprises of Type 23 frigate HMS Kent, Type 45 destroyers HMS Diamond, various aircraft including F-35B Lightning jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters and other support ships. 

 Nato’s aim was to create a potent task group which is able to operate across a large area, from the length and breadth of the Mediterranean and north to the Baltic Sea. HMS Queen Elizabeth’s crew have a full week of tasks ahead of them.  

Read more .... 

Update: UK flagship under NATO command for the first time (Royal Navy)  

WNU Editor: The 3 aircraft carriers in questions are the HMS Queen Elizabeth, Italy's ITS Cavour, and Spains ESP Juan Carlos. The key line in the above report is this ....

.... The Italian ITS Cavour and Spanish ESP Juan Carlos have been stationed to the Mediterranean, allowing Nato to protect a vast area of airspace, waterways and territory. Warships from 21 nations are deployed on the activity– codenamed Neptune Strike. 

They are being commanded by Nato’s Naval and Striking Support Forces, a battle staff under the Supreme Allied Commander Europe – which is tasked with rapidly planning and executing operations wherever needed. When Royal Navy assets are under Nato’s command, they carry out tasks of vital importance to the alliance for a set period of time.

This type of deployment and centralized command is rare. NATO is preparing for something big.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/riL2D6H