France - November 11, 2025 Mediterranean Sea – On 11 Nov 2025, the UK Carrier Strike Group took part in Exercise FALCONSTRIKE while deployed on Operation HIGHMAST. The exercise brings together nearly 50 4th and 5th generation aircraft from 5 countries, with over 1000 personnel involved. The UK Carrier Air Wing has embarked 24 F-35Bs for the first time and is using Exercise FALCONSTRIKE to integrate with NATO Allies and Partners. Together with these NATO Allies and Partners, the UK Carrier Strike Group is demonstrating NATO’s ability to protect its Southern Flank and sustain Joint operations in the Mediterranean. Led by the UK flagship HMS Prince of Wales and involving a dozen nations, the eight month mission known as Operation HIGHMAST is reaching its final stages. After operations across the Indo Pacific over the last five months, the task group has returned to the Mediterranean for further multinational exercises before beginning its homeward voyage. The goal of Operation HIGHMAST is to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the security of both the Mediterranean and Indo Pacific region, demonstrate collective resolve alongside allies, and showcase British trade and industry. Over the course of the deployment, upwards of 4,500 British military personnel have been involved, including nearly 600 Royal Air Force personnel and 900 soldiers, alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.