F-35 Lightnings from RAF Marham have been deployed to the North and Norwegian seas on board the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
![Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 receives the all-clear to take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth]( "Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 receives the all-clear to take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth")
An F-35 receives the all-clear to take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth (Image: MOD/Crown Copyright)Aircraft from the 617 'Dambusters' Squadron have been taking part in simulated strike missions alongside international partners as part of Exercise Cobra Warrior.
They included training with Norwegian Special Forces on air-to-air tactical intercepts and deterring enemy air defences.
![Eastern Daily Press: Personnel load a Paveway guided bomb onto an F-35 Lightning]( "Eastern Daily Press: Personnel load a Paveway guided bomb onto an F-35 Lightning")
Personnel load a Paveway guided bomb onto an F-35 Lightning (Image: MOD/Crown Copyright)After finishing their work in Norway, the F-35s carried out live strike missions in Swedish ranges. They fired Paveway IVs – air to ground precision-guided bombs using laser and GPS technology for accurate hits - alongside Swedish Armed Forces.
READ MORE: King Charles III takes up role at RAF Marham
![Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 takes off on a night flying mission]( "Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 takes off on a night flying mission")
An F-35 takes off on a night flying mission (Image: MOD/Crown Copyright)Wing Cdr Stew Campbell, Commanding Officer of 617 Squadron, said: “617 Squadron have enjoyed an extremely successful five weeks embarked in HMS Queen Elizabeth.
“We have experienced a graduated and increasingly complex training package that has seen us qualify multiple new pilots in carrier operations both day and night, take part in both UK and foreign led large force exercises and employ live ordnance on an air to surface range.
![Eastern Daily Press: F-35 Lightnings on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth]( "Eastern Daily Press: F-35 Lightnings on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth")
F-35 Lightnings on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth (Image: MOD/Crown Copyright)“617 Squadron always enjoy our embarked periods as operating from an aircraft carrier is the pinnacle of aviation activity and we are proud to be a part of it.”
HMS Queen Elizabeth is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group deployment this autumn to the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic.
She has been joined by Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond, Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tideforce and ships from Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium.
![Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 Lightning from the RAF Marham-based 617 Squadron]( "Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 Lightning from the RAF Marham-based 617 Squadron")
An F-35 Lightning from the RAF Marham-based 617 Squadron (Image: MOD/Crown Copyright)The MoD says the next phase of the carrier deployment will see UK forces working alongside ships and personnel from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
HMS Queen Elizabeth and forces from the other nations will show their ability to conduct air operations into Norway, Sweden and Finland.
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