US Navy Admiral visits Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth

US Navy Rear Admiral Patrick Piercey, US Pacific Command operations director, recently paid a visit to the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group commander Commodore Andrew Betton onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Admiral was visiting the home base of the Royal Navy’s carriers as part of a wider UK visit organised around defense engagements at Joint Headquarters in London.

During his tour of the new aircraft carrier, which will be the home for the Royal Navy’s CSG, he was shown around the hanger and the ship’s flying control position, ‘Flyco’ before he stepped out onto HMS Queen Elizabeth’s flight deck.

Cdre Betton also briefed Adm Piercey on the carrier regeneration program and how the two navies are working together.

“It’s a great opportunity to discuss the UK’s return to carrier strike operations and how we can build our close operational partnerships across the globe,” said Commodore Andrew Betton, OBE.

The Admiral also visited HMS Collingwood to take a look at the CSG synthetic validation exercise being held on the base.

“It was an excellent opportunity to review concepts of operations at different threat levels for CSG operations. Key themes discussed focused on the need for range for the carrier air wing and future operational environments,” said Colonel Philip Kelly RM, CSG strike warfare commander.

“The Admiral had a very keen understanding of the challenges we both face and was impressed with UK CSG’s progress thus far. I think we the UKCSG will be a welcome addition to any allied force as we bring significant combat power.”