HMS Queen Elizabeth and USS The Sullivans with the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group joined ships with NATO Standing Maritime Groups One and Two for an impressive display of maritime power in the Eastern Atlantic on 28 May 2021. The rendezvous was part of Steadfast Defender 21, a large scale defensive exercise designed to test NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America to the coast of Portugal and the Black Sea region. (Royal Navy photography by LPhot Unaisi Luke)

The HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) sails in formation with the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during a photo exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, May 28, 2021, in support of the NATO-led joint multilateral exercise Steadfast Defender 2021. Staff from Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF), and U.S. Second Fleet (C2F), as the maritime Component Command (MCC), are charged with employing maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. Steadfast defender 2021 is a defensive exercise based on an Article 5 scenario which is designed to deter aggression and respond to crisis if necessary. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Barnes/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, lands on Her Majesties Ship Queen Elizabeth, at sea on May 10, 2021. The 24th MEU transported Marines and equipment assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, United Kingdom (UK) Carrier Strike Group 21. The Navy-Marine Corps team is humbled and proud to represent the United States and serve alongside our UK counterparts.

Leaders with the United kingdom Carrier Strike Group (CSG), walk to welcome Marines exiting MV-22B Ospreys from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group aboard Her Majesties Ship Queen Elizabeth, at sea on May 10, 2021. The 24th MEU transported Marines and equipment assigned to VMFA-211, UK CSG-21. The Navy-Marine Corps team is humbled and proud to represent the United States and serve alongside our UK counterparts.

Her Majesty The Queen visited the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth May 22, 2021, just hours before the United Kingdom (UK) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21 sailed for its first operational deployment. During the 45 minute visit, Her Majesty spoke to a selection of British and American Marines, Airmen and Sailor. The US Marines and Sailors from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 and USS The Sullivans are humbled and proud to serve alongside our UK colleagues during CSG-21. (Royal Navy Photo by POPhot Jay Allen)

Her Majesty The Queen visited the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth May 22, 2021, just hours before the United Kingdom (UK) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21 sailed for its first operational deployment. During the 45 minute visit, Her Majesty spoke to a selection of British and American Marines, Airmen and Sailor. The US Marines and Sailors from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 and USS The Sullivans are humbled and proud to serve alongside our UK colleagues during CSG-21. (Royal Navy Photo by POPhot Jay Allen)

Corporals with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 participate in professional military education while aboard Her Majesty's Ship Queen Elizabeth. VMFA-211 is deployed aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth to support the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group 21. The combined deployment will send a strong signal of support to Allies and partners around the world and our resolve to work together to deter coercion and aggression. (Royal Navy photography by POPhot Jay Allen)

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 conduct routine maintenance on an F-35B Lighting II aboard Her Majesty’s Ship Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean Sea. VMFA-211 is embarked aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21. CSG-21’s transit of the Mediterranean Sea provides an opportunity to train and exercise with NATO Allies and regional partners. Participation in multinational exercises enhances defense relationships and improves overall coordination and interoperability between allies and partner militaries.

GySgt Jacob Gilbert with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 supervises a startup checklist of an F-35B Lightning II aboard Her Majesty’s Ship Queen Elizabeth before training missions with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group. VMFA-211 is deployed aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21. CSG21’s transit of the Mediterranean Sea provides an opportunity to train and exercise with our NATO Allies and regional partners

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21, prepare to load a Guided Bomb Unit 12 into an F-35B Lightning II aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in Sixth Fleet area of operations on June 18th, 2021. Alongside the United Kingdom’s 617 Squadron, VMFA-211 is conducting combat sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the first combat operations launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth. OIR is the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 21, launches an F-35B Lightning II from the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in Sixth Fleet area of operations on June 18th, 2021. Alongside the United Kingdom’s 617 Squadron, VMFA-211 is conducting combat sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the first combat operations launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth. OIR is the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.