UK, US, Japanese, and allied naval forces complete major exercise in Philippine Sea

The Royal Navy has completed a nine-day multinational exercise in the Northern Philippine Sea, operating alongside naval forces from the United States and Japan. The UK's flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, led the UK Carrier Strike Group as part of its Operation Highmast global deployment.

The exercise brought together four allied task forces, including the USS George Washington carrier strike group, a USMC amphibious ready group centred on the USS America, and the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force's Kaga battle group. In total, 11 ships and 23 aircraft from the UK, US, Japan, Australia, Spain, and Norway participated in the drills.

A key event during the exercise on August 8 saw a British F-35B fighter jet conduct the first-ever landing on a Japanese ship, the helicopter destroyer JS Kaga. The training also included tactical intercepts and anti-submarine warfare drills.

Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, stated that bringing the large deck forces from the three nations together showcased the strength and interchangeability of the combined task groups.

Following the exercise, HMS Prince of Wales and its escorting destroyer, HMS Dauntless, arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base for a three-week visit to Japan.