Aircraft Carriers III

Jeff Head said:

@Obi Wan Russell here's hoping that the USM steps up and gives the Royal Navy all that it asks for and needs to make that initial deployment as effective and as big a statement as absolutely possible!

How many RN aircraft are expected on that first deployment?
There will be a single sqn of 12 F-35Bs from 617 sqn as 809NAS aren't due to stand up until 2023. All sqns will be manned 50:50 RAF/FAA. There will also be 9 Merlin HM2s from 820NAS for ASW and another five HM2s from 849NAS for AEW. Additionally there may be Merlin HC4s from the CHF and possibly a few RAF Chinooks as 'proof of concept' at least for part if not all of the deployment. Likewise there will be a few Lynx Wildcats and maybe even AH64 Apaches visiting the deck too.

How many USMC aircraft would they like?
At least one sqn of F-35Bs to begin with and a detachment of Ospreys too, which I'm sure in both cases the USMC will be only too happy to provide, remember this won't be a one sided deal. The Leathernecks will have much to gain from this deployment, proving there is more they can do the just CAS (though that will remain the backbone of what they do).

Do they want to get the total aircraft deployed up to 24? Or higher?
Exactly how many the USMC provides for that sqn is another matter, currently as mentioned elsewhere their sqns are between 6 and 16 aircraft strong, I'd expect at least 12 to match the UK contribution.

As I Say, I am all for the RN and the USMC making it as big a statement as possible,
I think that's a given! The Marines loved their brief stay with the RN last time and Big Liz is a much better ship to live on than Lusty was, which in turn was a lot nicer than the Gators! I think some of the Leather necks may not want to go home!

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Wood Belleau 100: The Thunder and the Knight Paul left Toulon

This morning, the amphibious group composed of the Thunder Command and Projection Building (BPC) and the Air Defense Frigate (FDA) Chevalier Paul left its port-base, Toulon, for a deployment of several months in the Mediterranean and in the ocean. Indian. Returned in late October a deployment of a month and a half of assistance to populations affected by the cyclone IRMA, PCB Tonnerre confirms its ability to act to provide a graduated response adapted to crises.

This amphibious group, which embarked on board the Tonnerre BPC a tactical element of the 9th Marine Infantry Brigade, six helicopters of the Navy and light aviation of the army, will strengthen the Allied assets present in the region and will act in support of the various coalitions in which France is involved. It will also enable our country to strengthen its self-assessment of the situation and its ability to contain threats, anticipate and respond to crises.

Called "Bois Belleau 100" in reference to the centenary of this battle of the first world war, which was the first engagement of the American troops on the French territory, this deployment will be done alongside US forces embarked on board the BPC, and under control American operation when the amphibious group operates in the Indian Ocean.

This joint deployment will pre-position an important amphibious operational capability in an area of common strategic interest to contribute, alongside our regional partners, to the security and stability of the region. It marks a new stage in cooperation between the French and American armed forces and illustrates the high level of interoperability achieved.

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This amphibious group thus sailed from Toulon, November 21, for a deployment of several months in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
As a reminder, the PCB Tonnerre returned from the West Indies, where he assisted the populations affected by hurricane Irma, only at the end of October. The Armed Forces Staff sees the confirmation of the "capacity for action" of this type of ship to "provide a graduated response adapted to crises. "

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Obi Wan Russell said:

View attachment 43438 View attachment 43439 View attachment 43441

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Jeff Head said:

Well then, that's a very decent wing!

12 x RN F-35Bs
12 x USMC F-35s
08 x Merlin ASW
05 x AEW
06 x MV-22s

then add some Chinooks and Apaches in for good measure. But that is a group of of 50+ aircraft with 32 of them being fixed wing aircraft too.

24 F-35Bs would be a strike/air control group to be reckoned with anywhere on earth.

The Merlin is among, if not the best ASW helo available, and I am interested in seeing how the Merlin AEW aircraft performs in terms of range and ability to contact/find targets.

Perhaps some day there will be an AEW OSprey that is pressurized and capable of 25-30,000 feet with a very decent AEW package. I am still wishing for that...it only makes sense now that the carriers like the QEs are coming along and with the America class and beefing up the air capability of all of the LHDs and LHAs...like I say, it just makes perfect sense.

The Italians, Spanish, Aussies, Japanese and Koreans would all use a squadron or two of such aircraft if they were available at a decent price.

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Jura said:

the 7th Fleet again
US Navy Greyhound airlifter crashes in Philippine Sea

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Jeff Head said:

Since they found eighjt personell alive (three missing and most probably decease...almost certainly so, I have to believe that the pilot was able to bring the aircraft in for a fairly level landing on the water.

I am glad the sea state was such that they could or they could easily have lost them all.

I believe Japanese escort vessels out and away from the carrier got their helos there first for the SAR operation.

Just goes to show once again that even non-combat exercises with military equipment is a dangerous way of life and business. Always thank those in service for their countries. They risk their lives often on our behalf, even when not in combat.

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