F-35B Jets Launch From HMS Prince of Wales in Norwegian Sea

Norwegian Sea – F-35B Lightning II fighter jets took off from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales as it led a NATO carrier strike group on a patrol in the Norwegian Sea, in footage filmed on November 3.

Footage released by NATO shows the jets taxiing across the carrier's deck and lifting off, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters flying from the ship, and the British frigate HMS St Albans and the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen sailing past in formation.

The carrier operated under NATO command during the Neptune Strike enhanced Vigilance Activities, NATO said. During the patrol it took on live munitions from a Norwegian military jetty, the first time the carrier has been rearmed by a NATO ally, and dropped laser-guided bombs on a Norwegian training ground.

"It's important we understand each other's capabilities, and then by understanding those capabilities and using them to our best knowledge, we effectively strengthen what we can do together," said Commodore Richard Hewitt, commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group.