Overview

• Lt. Rob Callaway piloted the UK F-35B that landed and launched from JS Kaga on August 14, marking the first UK F-35B operation on a Japanese warship.
• The nine-day exercise united four aircraft carriers—HMS Prince of Wales, JS Kaga, USS George Washington and USS America—to test maritime strike missions and advanced fighter integration.
• Crews executed joint tactical intercepts, maritime strike serials and cross-deck operations to deepen interoperability among UK, US and Japanese naval air wings.
• HMS Prince of Wales has docked in Yokosuka for a planned three-week port visit and maintenance pause before resuming its Operation Highmast deployment.
• Japan has taken delivery of its first three of 42 F-35B jets and is completing Izumo-class carrier modifications ahead of routine STOVL operations.