Wake Island Avengers arrive in the UK

US F-35B Fast Jets will be working alongside the Royal Air Force in preparation for their deployment on the UK’s flagship later this year

Known as the ‘Wake Island Avengers’, the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 has arrived in the UK for the very first time.

The US aircraft flew from their home in Arizona, United States and arrived at RAF Marham.

The Americans will firstly take part in artificial training in the purpose-built simulators at RAF Marham, to help familiarise themselves with the local airspace and procedures before they take to the Norfolk skies.

Aircraft from V Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA), 211 Squadron arrived at RAF Marham.

Once they are familiar, they will fly training sorties alongside 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force in preparation to embark with the HMS Queen Elizabeth later this month.

Once onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth both the US and UK will conduct carrier qualification training to ensure all pilots are able to operate from the carrier during both day and night.

This training will also include live and inert weapons training ahead of Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) next year which will see the carrier deploy operationally for the first time.

A non-commissioned officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 completes routine maintenance on an F-35B.

The US aircraft will also be taking part in Exercise Point Blank, with comrades from RAF Lakenheath along with other NATO partners, which will see them take part in a number of daring tasks.

With the training complete, the aircraft will then take part Exercise Joint Warrior from HMS Queen Elizabeth. Joint Warrior is a bi-annual exercise hosted by the UK in Scotland and Northern England.

• Wading into waning light: Exercise Joint Warrior
• 14 nations, 58 aircraft, 15 ships, 3 submarines and nearly 4,000 troops

Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe, bringing together the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, and the British Army, as well as forces from other nations.

Aircraft from V Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA), 211 Squadron arrived at RAF Marham.

On completion of Exercise Joint Warrior, both squadrons will return to RAF Marham where they will be preparing to take part in Exercise Crimson Warrior. This will allow the F-35’s to conduct high-end training, alongside other platforms, in a contested environment with this years focus being on Multi-Domain Operations.

See more photos of the US arrival📸

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) conduct a leader’s recon at RAF Marham.

Gear is staged at RAF Marham.

F-35’s at RAF Marham.

US Marine Corps Pilot at RAF Marham.

US F-35B at RAF Marham.

F-35’s at RAF Marham.

Aircraft from V Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA), 211 Squadron arrived at RAF Marham.

Aircraft from V Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA), 211 Squadron arrived at RAF Marham.

Find out where the UK Armed Forces are deployed here: