Bergen, Norway - March 06, 2025 On 06 March 2025, the Royal Navy’s 815 Naval Air Squadron and Coastal Force Squadron, including HMS Express, Exploit, Puncher, Blazer, and Ranger, launched Exercise Tamber Shield alongside the Royal Norwegian Navy’s HNoMS Otto Sverdrup and HNoMS Maud. The joint training sees British and Norwegian forces teaming up to sharpen their skills ahead of a major deployment with HMS Prince of Wales. The flagship sets sail this spring for an eight-month mission across the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Rim, backed by a powerful strike group of British and NATO warships, including Norwegian vessels, showcasing the UK’s commitment to global security. The exercise, now in its third year, pits participants against mock torpedo and missile attacks in the dramatic fjords near Bergen. British and Norwegian fast boats zip through confined waters, simulating assaults on the frigate and tanker, while Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron work to defend or disrupt. Previously focused on training helicopter crews to counter small, agile craft with the Martlet missile, this year’s Tamber Shield ramps up the stakes with torpedo drops and deeper navy integration. A Wildcat from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset will even operate from the deck of HNoMS Roald Amundsen, sister ship to Sverdrup, throughout the drills. Over the coming weeks, the exercise will test both navies’ ability to coordinate under pressure, blending high-speed boat chases with aerial tactics. It’s all about building a seamless partnership before they join forces for real on HMS Prince of Wales’ historic voyage. With fast boats charging and helicopters buzzing, the fjords of Norway are alive with military might as the allies prepare to stand united.