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Subject: USMC Harriers on HMS Illustrious
Phaid    7/18/2007 9:47:53 AM
From the UK MOD website: Fourteen United States AV8B Harrier Jets have joined up with the UK aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious ahead of a major joint exercise in the United States. The Harriers, from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)14, have embarked on HMS Illustrious, the UK's and NATO's High Readiness Maritime Strike Carrier, ahead of a US-led Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) which is set to take place off the eastern coast of the United States. Throughout the exercise, 'Lusty' as she is known to her Ship's Company, and the 200 US Marines onboard, will be used as a platform by US Marine Corps AV8B Harrier jets alongside Sea King helicopters from Royal Naval Air Squadrons 857 and 771. She is also the first non-US warship to operate with the MV22 Osprey. HMS Illustrious will return to Portsmouth in August following the end of the exercise.
 
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Phaid       7/18/2007 9:49:35 AM
Here's a link to the MOD article, including video footage of the Harriers landing.

AV-8Bs on hms illustrioushttp://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7A96C715-099F-4B99-8585-D941A99F4562/0/CAPDDJIY.jpg">
 
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kensohaski       7/18/2007 9:50:41 AM
The American version of the AV-8 is a wonderful aircraft.  Good to see allies working together....
 
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Lynstyne       7/18/2007 10:35:28 AM

The American version of the AV-8 is a wonderful aircraft.  Good to see allies working together....



AV-8 is the american version
 
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flamingknives       7/18/2007 2:19:12 PM
Is it me or is that video extremely badly put together using blue screen techniques?
 
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Yimmy       7/18/2007 2:25:49 PM
Looked real to me.... I would assume it was probably just filmed on an inexpensive camera.

What happened to the Illustrious air wing?  Or did she just sail without one?
 
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Phaid       7/18/2007 2:25:56 PM

Is it me or is that video extremely badly put together using blue screen techniques?

It's just you.
 
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streaky bacon       7/19/2007 9:43:27 AM
If the MOD had any commen sense they would retro fit a dozen or so Harrier GR.9s with Blue Vixen radars as safeguard to the likely delay of the Lightning II. Cannot believe that with two 65,000 ton carriers on order that the first ship would not have any decent Air to Air capability for about 3 or 4 years! Better to be safe than sorry thats what I say? Surely converting some of the GR.9s to F/A 3s would not cost more than £100million, peanuts!
 
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Yimmy       7/19/2007 11:20:42 AM
I wouldn't worry Streaky.

We don't have nearly enough aircraft in the Joint Force Harrier fleet to fully equip the two new aircraft carriers, while I can't really see them being sent to sea with a tiny fraction of their air-wing.  I wouldn't be surprised if USMC Harriers become something of a common sight on British carriers until the F35 comes in.

Also, has the F35 been named yet, for British service?
 
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streaky bacon       7/19/2007 11:49:23 AM
Thought that it was going to be Lightning II in UK service too!
 
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Yimmy       7/19/2007 1:13:08 PM

Thought that it was going to be Lightning II in UK service too!


I have never seen a UK official release call it that as best I remember, nor do I recall F35 being mentioned.  I think it is normally referred to as the JSF.
 
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