Operation Firecrest: Carrier Strike Group North Atlantic and High North deployment
The UK government announced in February 2026 that the Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, would deploy to the North Atlantic and High North. The Royal Navy said the first phase of the 2026 mission was complete on 23 July 2026. In that phase the group committed the capability to NATO and exercised on NATO's Northern Flank. F-35B jets of 809 Naval Air Squadron flew long-range strikes. The group also took on NATO Air Policing around Iceland and the Arctic, the first time this had been flown from a European carrier. HMS Prince of Wales visited Stavanger, Norway. The sources do not describe any later phase or the group's current status. The start date is approximate, taken from the 'past three months' wording in the July release.
- Where
- North Atlantic, North Atlantic and High North
- When
- since 1 Apr 2026
- Units
- HMS Prince of Wales; 809 Naval Air Squadron
- With
- NATO, Norway, Italy, United States, Canada
- Last checked
- 4 Nov 2026
Sources
- UK's Carrier Strike Group completes first phase of 2026 mission Royal Navy, 23 Jul 2026
- UK Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North Atlantic Naval News, 14 Feb 2026
- UK Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North Atlantic to keep UK safe UK Government (via WiredGov), 17 Feb 2026
