HMS Queen Elizabeth visits Oslo along with RAF jets and personnel
RAF F-35B Lightning jets and personnel from RAF Marham currently embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth have visited Oslo as part of Operation Achillean.
The Navy flagship is leading the UK's Carrier Strike Group, which arrived in Norway's capital to host several defence engagements in the country.
Personnel from 617 Squadron are on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, with further RAF personnel embarked and Flight Lieutenant Pollard currently serving as the Carrier Strike Group Air Battle Manager.
He said it has been a period of learning as it is his "first time in a truly tri-service environment".
"As an Air Battle Manager, it is my responsibility to co-ordinate activity in the airspace around the Task Group, including flying Royal Marines ashore, naval gunfire from our frigates and destroyers, and F-35B sorties from HMS Queen Elizabeth," he said.
"To do all this safely and effectively takes a lot of teamwork, and the Royal Navy personnel on board have certainly made me feel a part of that very close-knit team.
"For me, the first time I looked out from the aft island and saw the Task Group assembled around HMS Queen Elizabeth, with F-35s taking off from the deck and Merlins patrolling ahead of us, that was the moment I realised I was part of something special."
Op Achillean demonstrates NATO's 5th generation maritime strike capability, with it made up of F-35 jets, as well as support from Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.
All elements of Op Achillean support and complement NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force activity.
The Carrier Strike Group is being commanded by Commodore Angus Essenigh OBE and his staff on board the aircraft carrier.
The deployment also deepens co-operation between British and Norwegian air assets, focused on the RAF and Norwegian P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and F-35 fighters.
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