MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
The Queen commissions UK's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth
Her Majesty The Queen takes the salute at the commissioning of HMS Queen Elizabeth 
HMS Queen Elizabeth calling Portsmouth. She is scheduled to head to the US for flight trials Queen Elizabeth II has commissioned the UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy. The Queen spoke at a ceremony in Portsmouth’s naval base on Thursday morning, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson and military chiefs.
In her role as the ship’s Lady Sponsor Her Majesty addressed guests before the Ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Jerry Kyd, read the commissioning warrant. The iconic White Ensign was then raised, symbolizing the commissioning of UK's future flagship into the Royal Navy’s fleet.
Having successfully completed her second stage of sea trials off the south coast of England, the carrier is back alongside at her home port of Portsmouth. Over 10,000 people across the UK have contributed to the delivery of the ship under the Aircraft Carrier Alliance.
Completing final build activity and preparing for helicopter trials in the New Year, HMS Queen Elizabeth will head to the United States for initial flight trials off the coast in autumn 2018. There are currently 150 Royal Navy and RAF personnel training in the US on 13 F-35 jets.
The UK has worked closely on both the F-35 and carrier programs with the US, the pre-eminent partner within NATO, enabling to fly aircraft from each other’s ships. Both of the UK’s new carriers will be able to operate alongside NATO and coalition allies.
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Read all commentsOur own F-35's ? The Red Arrows have more Hawks than we have F-35's.
Dec 08th, 2017 - 12:34 pm +1The first squadron have been allocated to the RAF's 617 squadron at Marham so they can phase out the Tornados. The Queen Elizabeth will require extensive testing of it's systems for handling aircraft, beginning with helicopters before it can operate this new aircraft.
An US Marines squadron will be embarked on the Q.E.'s first operational cruise.
Unusually for me, I was being facetious on the subject of Hawks vs F-35's !
Dec 09th, 2017 - 10:40 am +1According to the RAF/MOD web site we have received 9 aircraft, which presumably will be added to as time goes on.
The aircraft in the USA are for training and have been designated for 207 OCU Sqd.
They will move to Marham in 2019 and the first operational squadron 617 will return to Marham in late summer 2017.
How this ties in with the QE I don't know.
When’s it likely to be operational? Did I read up to six years before it has a full compliment of aircraft?
Dec 08th, 2017 - 10:08 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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