F-35B Lightning IIs from the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-211 (the “Wake Island Avengers”) and the United Kingdom’s 617 Squadron (the “Dambusters”) embarked onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in September as she sailed for exercises with NATO allies in the North Sea.

U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Freshour, commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-211 (the “Wake Island Avengers”), accelerates as he prepares to launch from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth armed with a GPU-9/A gun pod unit, September 28, 2020. Freshour became the first F-35B Joint Strike Fighter pilot to fly from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth while carrying a GPU. This milestone continues VMFA-211’s preparation for the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group global deployment.

First Lieutenant Zachary Bodner/USMC