The legendary 809 Naval Air Squadron, known as the Immortals, is back after 41 years, HMS Dauntless returns to the UK after Caribbean drugs busts and a British Army band performs at a German Christmas market – all this and more in the Download.
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Alaska-class large cruiser USS Guam (CB-2) moored at Pearl Harbor on 21 February 1945. The port catapult and aircraft crane are trained over the side. Guam served only 29 months on active duty.
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HII Ingalls Shipbuilding has christened the US Navy’s third America-class amphibious assault ship in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
The USS Bougainville (LHA 8) is a multi-functional vessel that can deploy in obstructed conditions.
Its operational flexibility in various environments will further support the service’s expeditionary strike groups, amphibious-ready groups, and amphibious task forces.
The design of the LHA 8 was based on the enhanced Wasp-class amphibious assault ships.
While other variants under the America class incorporate larger spaces to carry aviation fuel and aircraft, LHA 8’s structure has slightly smaller medical space and a hangar to fill in additional well deck area for small docking systems.
The ship’s island was also modified to support maintenance for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
The Pascagoula ceremony followed the vessel’s launch in October. HII received the $2.4 billion contract to build LHA 8 last year.
HII is expected to deliver the system to the US Navy by 2024.
LHA 8 is the second ship to bear the name of Bougainville Island in the Solomons.
Inspiration for adopting the title was the success of interoperability between the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and allied forces during World War II.
This coordination enabled warfighters to secure a strategic airfield in the northern Solomons, limiting the dominance of Japanese forces in the South Pacific.
“Today is not only a day to celebrate our namesake, representatives of the successful outcome of a World War II campaign, but also the teamwork and collaboration of our United States Navy and Marine Corps that enabled it,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson stated.
“To fulfill our mission here in the shipyard, our sailors and Marines serve as a stellar example of how this extended network works together to fulfill a bigger purpose.”
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Lord Cameron has visited the United States to push for more support for Ukraine, and the legendary 809 Naval Air Squadron is set to be resurrected this week – all this and more on The Download.
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809 Naval Air Squadron has been disbanded five times in its history – but is being resurrected once again to become the first Royal Navy formation to fly the new F-35B Lightning.
Originally formed during the Second World War, 809 NAS received a number of battle honours ranging from the Arctic in 1941 to the Falklands in 1982.
809 NAS will be brought back on Friday 9 December and was chosen by former first sea lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas due to the squadron’s “illustrious history as a strike and attack squadron”.
With the motto “Immortal”, the squadron has earned its incredible reputation as it was called upon time and time again during some of Britain’s darkest hours.
Formed in 1941 at Royal Naval Air Station St Merryn, the squadron would go on to see action in some of the most crucial theatres of the conflict.
Aircrew from 809 NAS flying Fairey Fulmar fighters were used in support of the invasions of North Africa, Italy and the south of France.
They also fought alongside HMS Victorious in 1942, and later operated over the Indian Ocean against Japan in 1944.
After the war, the squadron continued to distinguish itself and saw action in the Suez Operation in 1956 using Sea Venom fighters.
It also flew the Blackburn Buccaneer, a low-level strike bomber that was operated by the Fleet Air Arm from 1965 to 1979.
When Great Britain found itself at war with Argentina in the Falklands, 809 Naval Air Squadron was once again called upon.
Reformed in 1982, the squadron was brought back specifically to fly Sea Harriers from HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible during the conflict.
The squadron was decommissioned in December of that same year. During the conflict, none of its Harriers was lost.
In the next chapter of 809 Naval Air Squadron’s story, the crews will be operating one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world.
The unit is being resurrected to fly the new fifth-generation stealth F-35B Lightning.
The aircraft is capable of ground attack, air superiority and air-to-air combat roles.
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USS Mason (DDG-87) sails in the Atlantic Ocean June 27, 2023. US Navy Photo
This post will be updated as additional information becomes available.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG-87) shot down a drone in the Red Sea on Wednesday, just days after USS Carney (DDG-64) downed three drones launched from Yemen, a defense official confirmed to USNI News.
“We can confirm the USS Mason shot down an uncrewed aerial vehicle originating from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen at 10:20 a.m. (Yemen time) Dec. 6 in the southern Red Sea,” a defense official told USNI News in an email. “There was no damage or injury to U.S. equipment or personnel.”
Carney and Mason are part of the U.S. naval forces that have been on station following the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7.
On Sunday, Carney shot down the drones in the Red Sea while responding to distress signals from merchant ships.
Houthi forces have been targeting commercial ships linked to Israel, according the group’s public statements.
In the statement, CENTCOM described the Sunday attacks as “a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.”
“They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world. We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners,” the statement reads.
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British and German pilots have trained to refuel whilst in the air, and HMS Albion has braved the blizzards of the Arctic – all this and more on The Download.
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One of the most advanced fighter planes ever constructed is set to be operated by a Royal Navy formation for the first time.
Originally formed in 1941, 809 Naval Air Squadron has been resurrected to fly the new F-35B Lightning.
The F-35B squadron will be stood up on Friday.
Dating back to the Second World War, 809 Naval Air Squadron was selected by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, because of its illustrious history as a strike and attack squadron.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Royal Navy said: “Lightning is forecast this Friday… A phoenix is rising from the flames… Are you ready for the Immortals? Friday, December 8, 2023, RAF Marham.”
The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth jet that is capable of ground attack, air superiority and air-to-air combat – all of which will be carried out by the pilots of 809 Naval Air Squadron.
The squadron first saw action in 1941 in the Arctic, operating the Fairey Fulmar, going on to serve in Malta, North Africa, Salerno, the south of France, the Aegean, Burma, Suez and the Falklands.
It was decommissioned in December 1982, with its eight Sea Harriers having served in the Falklands conflict – with none being lost.
The UK’s current fleet of F-35Bs is operated by 617 Squadron, which draws its personnel from both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
The fleet of F-35s is being maintained and supported by Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems thanks to a £161m contract.
The deal looks to support the F-35 fleet until 2027, allowing the UK more freedom to operate the aircraft, increase the number of flying hours and deliver mission planning, training and maintenance.
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