Overview

• On August 14, a UK-operated F-35B piloted by Lieutenant Rob Callaway landed on and took off from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force carrier JS Kaga for the first time.
• The milestone concluded a nine-day drill featuring four carriers—HMS Prince of Wales, JS Kaga, USS George Washington and USS America—supported by 11 ships and 23 aircraft from six allied nations.
• The operation marked the inaugural cross-deck STOVL F-35B integration between UK and Japanese warships during combined maritime strike training.
• Japan has received three of 42 planned F-35B jets and equipped its Izumo-class carriers with reinforced, heat-resistant decks but has not yet begun routine carrier flight operations.
• HMS Prince of Wales remains on its Operation Highmast deployment and has commenced a port visit to Yokosuka as allied navies demonstrate joint deterrence against regional naval expansion.