The Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived in Gibraltar for her first overseas port visit.
The 65,000-tonne future flagship will be conducting a routine logistics stop having left her home in Portsmouth for helicopter trials.
These helicopter trials take place before the fixed wing F35 Lightning II trials later this year.
Following her departure from the UK for the first time since being commissioned into the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth and her ship’s company of 1,000 men and women have been undergoing intensive training.
Under the guidance of the Royal Navy’s Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, all those on board have been honing their skills in dealing with a series of lifelike exercise scenarios including fires, floods, man overboard drills and a simulated crash on deck.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “As the Rock casts its shadow over the flight deck of our world-class aircraft carrier, Gibraltar rightfully marks HMS Queen Elizabeth’s first overseas stop as she refuels and takes on supplies before continuing her sea trials. I’m sure our friends in Gibraltar will be proud to see our future flagship sail through British waters into their famous port.”
image © Crown Copyright
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