The planes attacked the positions of Islamic State (IS) militants in the Middle East.
“The first HMS Queen Elizabeth missions against IS will be a milestone in this ship’s 50-year life. It also marks a new phase in our deployment. We have exerted a diplomatic influence on behalf of Britain through a series of exercises. We are now ready to strike a heavy blow against the common enemy.” commented on the progress of the operation toSteve Moorhouse, commander of the United Kingdom’s carrier strike group.
The British aircraft carrier carries 18 British and American F35B aircraft. These are multi-role fighters of a new generation, equipped with modern sensors, flight control systems and stealth technologies, the British command specified.
According to information CNN, For the first time since World War II, United States Marine Corps fighters flew combat missions over the Middle East. Airborne Wing Commander James Blackmore said that the last time American aircraft flew combat missions from a foreign aircraft carrier was in 1943. Then they took off from the British aircraft carrier HMS Victorious in the South Pacific.
Associated Press wrote that the British aircraft carrier took over “the lion’s share of operations” against IS militants in Iraq. The F-35B flights aroused the interest of the Russian military aviation. The Russian command is trying to track the F-35 by playing cat and mouse with British and American pilots, the agency said.
Aircraft of the Russian Federation approached American and British fighters several times within eye contact distance, added Blackmore.
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The terrorist organization Islamic State was founded in 2006. Subsequently, the group captured part of the territory of Syria, Iraq and Libya. ISIS fighters have participated in hostilities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, Nigeria and are carrying out terrorist activities in other countries.
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