NATO'S New Juggernaut:US Navy Warship,Marine Corps Aircraft Deploy With UK Aircraft Carrier

On 19 April 2021 the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) left Mayport, Florida on deployment to British Carrier Task Group 21 (HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) Strike Group). Also joining the CTG will be a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate and a detachment of US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VFMA 211). The Royal Navy CTG reportedly consists of two destroyers;two frigates;an attack submarine;Royal Air Force F-35Bs and Merlin helicopters;plus two sustainment ships.* Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet noted that: The inclusion of U.S. forces in the strike group will improve expeditionary capabilities and interoperability between NATO allies, demonstrating the United States' commitment to the NATO alliance.* Said CDR David Burkett,CO of The Sullivans: It is an honor to sail in this elite multi-national strike group on the frontline demonstrating a fully integrated force that showcases the special relationship that our countries have.* Of late The Sullivans completed a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPUTEX) with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.One of the drills was a NATO vignette which provided familiarity training to facilitate Allied maritime interoperability and integration through using NATO procedures, messaging formats and chat capabilities. According to Royal Navy Commodore Tom Guy of Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence: To ensure truly effective deterrence and defence in the North Atlantic,we need to make sure that the navies of NATO can work as one team, and that means interoperability.This NATO vignette has been a great step forward in pursuing allied interoperability.CJOS COE looks forward to continuing to develop this for future deploying Strike Groups.* Additionally, The Sullivans had joined UK-led Exercise Joint Warrior 20-2 last October, increasing her readiness for the international deployment.* The Sunday Times reported that two Royal Navy warships from the CTG 21 will peel off into the Black Sea in response to Russia's precipitation of a crisis by building up its forces in occupied Crimea and along the border with Eastern Ukraine.The Russian forces number about 100,000 troops, which is more than when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The Type 45 destroyer and Type 23 frigate will peel off from the CTG in the Mediterranean Sea and sail through the Bosphorous Strait into the Black Sea, according to senior naval sources.* It is HMS Queen Elizabeth's first deployment and the CTG is planned to transit the Mediterranean,Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific,interoperating with allies such as Japan during the mission.*