The United Kingdom is deploying its largest and most formidable ship ever, the British-American aircraft carrier of the latest type in the world, as part of the war against ISIS and to prevent its return to Iraq. The British Ministry of Defence announced the allocation of a well-known air squadron to participate in Operation "Shader" to combat the extremist group.
The ministry indicated that it has upgraded the fleet of fighter jets that will operate from the ship "HMS Queen Elizabeth." According to "Al-Hurra" website, the "617" squadron of the British Air Force is renowned for its efforts in destroying Nazi dams during the "Chastise" operation in World War II.
The flight deck of the ship covers a vast area and can transfer four fighter jets from the hangar to the flight deck in just one minute. The exact number of fighter jets that will be deployed on the giant aircraft carrier has not been officially announced, but the British Ministry of Defence states that it will include the largest number of UK F-35B fighters, in addition to several American aircraft joining it. However, "The Drive" reported that several American fighter jets will join the mission, suggesting that the total number will increase after the participation of additional American fighters from another aircraft carrier that took part in military exercises last September.
The massive aircraft carrier is scheduled to begin deployment as part of Operation "Shader" next month, according to a statement from the British Ministry of Defence.
British Joint Operations Chief Ben Key stated in the announcement that "this deployment embodies the UK's joint exploratory capability," noting that "the use of F-35 fighter jets against ISIS will prove our commitment to ensuring the defeat of the extremist group," as there are still large numbers of ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said, "The F-35 Lightning will deliver a powerful strike against ISIS and help prevent it from regaining a foothold in Iraq, weakening it at all levels."
The "HMS Queen Elizabeth" is the largest and most powerful warship ever built by the British Royal Navy, capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft, according to the U.S. Navy website.
