Joint Warrior 20-2:NATO Combat Power to the Test

Joint Warrior 20-2, the largest NATO exercise of the year,is underway in Northern Scotland and the Atlantic Ocean.The second phase began on 3 October.JW 20-2 incorporates surface, subsurface, airborne and land assets, the US Navy 6th Fleet said.NATO units will be tested in a multi-threat environment, and a certification for Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) is on the line, preparing them to operate as part of a Combined/Joint Task Force, according to Commander, Task Force 65 (CTF 65) CAPT Joseph Gagliano,USN: Joint Warrior is our premier venue for recertifying our ships for fleet operations, and the synergy with the Royal Navy could not be better.* Overall, the maritime,land and air units from NATO Allies and Partners include 28 ships;2 submarines;81 aircraft; and more than 6,000 personnel from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany,Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US.NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partner Australia is also taking part.* Most impressive of all is the participation of the first ever NATO Carrier Strike Group,led by the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.Indeed, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) is attached to the CSG.As well, destroyers USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Ross (DDG 71), out of forward deployment at Rota,Spain, and 2 P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft from CTF-67 in Sigonella,Italy are in the drills.In addition, the US Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron 211 has 8 F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters on HMS Queen Elizabeth alongside USMC 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.* All elements of the British military are being integrated into JW 20-2: Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army.* Two NATO AWACS aircraft are surveilling and coordinating the complex scenario.The exercise trains NATO Forces for high-readiness deployments in operations representing a significant pillar of the UK's leading role in the Alliance.It is thus a key step in the development of the UK's CSG capability,being the largest ever number of F-35B aircraft at sea (about 15),tbe British F-35 Bs along with the USMC's. Several classic warfighting drills are being staged by the assets in coastal and blue waters to the North, Northwest and West of Scotland.* Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is participating until 15 October.*