‘monumental moment! ’ lightning f-35b jets land aboard 'big lizzie'

The occasion marked eight years since the last time a British fighter jet landed on a UK aircraft carrier, representing a significant milestone for the British Armed Forces. The jets landed

near the east coast of the US and were piloted by Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray and RAF Squadron Leader Andy Edgell. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson stated it was a "monumental

moment” and a landmark return to aircraft carrier strike operations. He said: “The largest warship in British history is joining forces with the most advanced fighter jets on the planet.

"This marks a rebirth of our power to strike decisively from the seas anywhere in the world. “It is also a statement of Britain's determination to promote peace and prevent

war." A further 500 test landings and take-offs are expected to take place during HMS Queen Elizabeth’s 11 weeks at sea. The £3.1billion sea carrier - dubbed “Big Lizzie” - sailed from

Portsmouth at the end of August. Commanding Officer Captain Jerry Kyd, who was the captain of HMS Ark Royal, commented on the landings, saying: “I am quite emotional to be here in HMS Queen

Elizabeth seeing the return of fixed wing aviation, having been the captain of the aircraft carrier which launched the last Harrier at sea nearly eight years ago. “The regeneration of big

deck carriers able to operate globally, as we are proving here on this deployment, is a major step forward for the United Kingdom’s defence and our ability to match the increasing pace of

our adversaries. “The first touch-downs of these impressive stealth jets show how the United Kingdom will continue to be world leaders at sea for generations to come.” One of the Royal Navy

pilots who landed the fighter jets commented on the operation, stating: “The F35 is a quantum leap – it's the world beater." He added: "Anybody who wants to face off with us

should be very, very nervous and should think twice." The UK’s new state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets are now equipped with missiles capable of travelling at 2,300 miles per hour and

obliterating targets in just 48 seconds. The jets, which are also designed to combat cyber attacks, have embarked upon their first test flights with the missiles.